The territorial retention bonus in Seine-Saint-Denis amounts to up to 12,000 euros gross for public-sector employees who work in the department for five consecutive years. Behind this figure, the staggered payment mechanism, service continuity requirements and tax treatment all warrant careful attention. This article breaks down the information set out in the regulations to identify the factors that actually determine how much employees receive.
Amount and payment schedule for the 93 retention bonus: how it works in practice
Decree No. 2023-1016 of 2 November 2023 amended the original scheme (Decree No. 2020-1299 of 24 October 2020), increasing the total amount from 10,000 to 12,000 euros gross. The main change concerns how the bonus is paid: instead of being paid in a single lump sum after five years, it is now split into instalments according to a specific schedule.
| Date of arrival in Seine-Saint-Denis | Instalment paid in November 2024 | Remaining instalment (November 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Between 2 Sept. 2018 and 1 Sept. 2019 | 20% (2,400 euros gross) | 40% (4,800 euros gross) |
| 1 September 2021 | 40% (4,800 euros gross) | Depending on individual circumstances |
| 1 September 2024 (new entrants) | 20% (2,400 euros gross) | Further instalments paid in stages |
| Before 1 Sept. 2018 (employees already in post) | 60% already received in May 2024 (7,200 euros gross) | 40% (4,800 euros gross) in November 2025 |
This table is based on information published by SNUipp-FSU 93 and DSDEN 93. The differences between instalments reflect how long employees had been working in the department when the new decree came into force.
Employees who received the first instalment of 7,200 euros gross in May 2024 will receive the remaining 4,800 euros gross in their November 2025 pay. One point that is often overlooked: this final instalment is not tax-exempt, which significantly affects the net amount received.
Eligibility and service continuity: the criteria that make the difference
Eligibility is not simply a matter of working in department 93. The scheme is aimed at state public-sector employees assigned to the department, particularly those who work directly with the public. The regulations identify tenured teachers, trainee teachers, AESH staff and Education Ministry contract workers as potential beneficiaries.
The criteria that determine whether an application is approved or rejected are as follows:
- Five years of actual, continuous service in an eligible role or service in Seine-Saint-Denis, with no significant interruption (ordinary sick leave does not break continuity, but a secondment outside the department may cause problems)
- Tenured, contract or AESH status, with recruitment within the scope defined by the decree — public-law employees of other organisations, such as France Travail, are not covered, despite working in the department
- No voluntary transfer outside the department before the end of the five-year period, which may result in losing entitlement to the bonus or having to repay instalments already received, depending on the circumstances
This last point is crucial. The Seine-Saint-Denis retention bonus is specifically intended to keep employees in the area. Leaving the department before the end of the qualifying period can jeopardise the entire scheme.
Tax impact of the bonus: net pay is lower than the gross amount advertised
One of the biggest surprises for beneficiaries is the tax treatment. The territorial retention bonus is subject to income tax and social security contributions. It is not covered by any tax exemption scheme.
SNUipp-FSU 93 advises affected employees to review their withholding tax rate for the year following payment. A gross payment of 4,800 euros in a single month can temporarily push up the marginal tax rate, affecting pay in subsequent months if the rate is not adjusted.
Employees due to receive the final instalment in November 2025 should plan to adjust their withholding tax before January 2026. Otherwise, the rate calculated on 2025 income (including the bonus) will apply in months when their pay has returned to its usual level.
Checking your payslip
If the payment has not been made by the scheduled date, Perplexity’s search results note that employees should contact their administrative department and provide supporting documents showing their employment history. Entitlement to the bonus and the payment schedule are two separate matters: an administrative delay does not mean the application has been rejected.
Appealing a refusal or non-payment of the 93 bonus
The regulations define a scope of beneficiaries that excludes some categories of employees who nevertheless work in the department. A parliamentary question highlighted the case of public-law employees of France Travail working in Seine-Saint-Denis, who are excluded from the scheme.
If an employee believes they meet the criteria but is refused the bonus, several types of evidence are important:
- Successive assignment orders confirming continuous service in the department
- Payslips confirming actual service during the required period
- Any correspondence with the administrative department documenting the application and the reason for refusal
Circular No. 2024-054 of 02/05/2024 sets out the technical arrangements for implementing the scheme. Keeping all administrative documents relating to your assignment remains the best protection in the event of a dispute.
The scheme runs until 2030 for new entrants. Employees assigned to Seine-Saint-Denis after 1 September 2024 are eligible for the staggered 12,000-euro-gross payment, with the first instalment paid in the first year and the balance conditional on completing five years of actual service. The scheme’s 2030 end date means that employees who join after that point will no longer be covered by the current decree unless it is extended by regulation.
