Cold weather allowance: what is it and who is eligible?
17 November 2025 · 3 min reading time
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See job offersSome professions expose employees to low temperatures during their daily work. To compensate for these difficult working conditions, some companies grant what is called a cold weather allowance. But what exactly is this allowance? Is it mandatory, and who is eligible? In this article, we clarify the specifics of this particular, still little-known but essential, compensation for many workers.
This type of allowance may seem anecdotal, but it is a recognition of the physical constraints imposed by certain jobs. It is often governed by collective bargaining agreements or company policies.
What is the cold weather allowance?
The cold weather allowance is a compensation paid by certain companies to employees who work in cold environments, such as refrigerated rooms, logistics warehouses, or outdoors in winter. Its aim is to offset the discomfort and risks associated with prolonged exposure to cold, which can affect employees' health, productivity, and working conditions.
It is not an allowance uniformly mandated by the Labor Code. In reality, the cold weather allowance depends on collective agreements, company policies, or, in some cases, established practices. Its amount, terms, and eligibility criteria therefore vary from one industry to another.
Who can receive the cold weather allowance?
The cold weather allowance is intended for employees who are regularly exposed to low temperatures as part of their job. It mainly concerns professions in logistics, agri-food, refrigerated transport, industry, or jobs that take place outdoors during the winter (notably in construction, road works, or public works).
Those generally eligible include:
- Order pickers in refrigerated warehouses,
- Warehouse operatives working in cold rooms,
- Drivers of refrigerated vehicles,
- Certain workers or technicians required to work outside in cold weather.
To benefit from this allowance, you must meet the conditions specified by the applicable collective agreement or a company policy. Most often, this requires prolonged exposure to temperatures below 5°C, for a minimum daily period (e.g., more than one consecutive hour or a certain percentage of working time).
Cold weather allowance and labor law: what does the law say?
The Labor Code does not explicitly mandate a “cold weather allowance,” but it requires the employer to ensure the health and safety of employees. This includes preventing risks linked to exposure to cold. Thus, if an employee is required to work for extended periods in a cold environment (low temperatures, drafts, humidity…), the company must take necessary measures to limit the impact of these conditions on their health.
These measures may include providing warm clothing, regular breaks in heated areas, or financial compensation through a specific allowance, set out in a collective agreement, company policy, or established usage.
In the absence of a collective agreement, the employer is not required to pay an allowance, but must still fulfill their general safety obligations. A failure to do so can be reported to the labor inspectorate, especially if working conditions expose employees to dangerous temperatures without appropriate compensation or protection.
What is the amount of the cold weather allowance?
The amount is not fixed; it varies according to the industry, duration of exposure to cold, workplace temperature, and the provisions of the applicable collective agreement. There is no single national scale, but several agreements provide defined rates.
For example, in cold storage operations, the allowance is €36.27 per month for regular exposure to temperatures between –5°C and +2°C. If the temperature drops below –5°C, the allowance rises to €90 per month. For occasional exposure (fewer than 8 days per month), a compensation of €3.59 per working day can be awarded if the exposure is prolonged.
⚠️ These amounts are given for information purposes only: they vary according to collective agreements or company policies and are not universally applicable.
In the meat-processing and cured meat industry, the allowance is a percentage of the minimum contractual wage:
- 15% when working at temperatures below –5°C,
- 8% between –5°C and +3°C,
- 4% between +3°C and +10°C.
Is the cold weather allowance taxable?
Yes, the cold weather allowance is taxable. Like most bonuses paid by the employer, it is considered a supplement to salary. It is, therefore, included in the calculation of income tax and is subject to social security contributions (URSSAF, pension, CSG-CRDS…).
This means it appears on your payslip, just like your basic salary, meal allowances, or overtime. The amount received is gross, so the actual amount paid after deductions may be slightly less than what is shown in union scales.
Even though it is a form of compensation for difficult working conditions, the cold weather allowance is not a tax-exempt benefit, as some expense reimbursements may be.
How to claim the cold weather allowance?
If you work in cold conditions and believe you may be eligible for an allowance, the first step is to check your collective agreement. Most relevant sectors (logistics, food industry, cold storage, etc.) specify the conditions for granting the cold weather allowance in their texts.
If you find that your activity meets the criteria (temperature, exposure time, frequency), you can submit a written request to your employer or HR department, preferably with references to the agreement. It is also useful to consult company agreements or internal practices, which may provide specific terms.
If you are refused or receive no response, and you believe your cold exposure justifies compensation, you can contact staff representatives, union delegates, or, as a last resort, the labor inspectorate.
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