ASML, the Dutch company that holds a near-monopoly on the machines that make advanced chips possible, just told its workforce: stick around and we’ll make it worth your while. The company is handing eligible employees a one-time conditional share award worth €20,000 (roughly $22,862), with shares that can’t be sold until January 1, 2030.
With approximately 44,500 to 45,000 employees targeted for the program, ASML is committing hundreds of millions of euros to keeping its people from walking out the door.
The golden handcuffs of chipmaking
The grant date is set for January 1, 2027, with full vesting contingent on the employee still being at ASML on January 1, 2030. Leave before then, and you forfeit the shares.
The company made the announcement on July 17, 2026, confirming the details through an internal email to staff. ASML framed it as recognition of past contributions while positioning it as a workforce stability measure during what the company sees as a crucial growth phase.
