A company bike is a bicycle intended for the employee's personal use. You can ride the bike not only for commuting but also during your free time without restrictions. The company bike benefit is an advantage voluntarily offered by the employer. Therefore, check with your employer whether this benefit is available to you.
The company bike benefit is a tax-free fringe benefit for the employee, up to 1200 euros per year. It can be offered on top of the salary or deducted from the salary. Most employers deduct the value of the bike benefit (usually 100 €/month) from the employee's gross salary, which reduces the taxable income each month by the value of the bike benefit. As the taxable income decreases, the tax rate also lowers, meaning the portion paid by the employee is significantly smaller than the amount deducted from the gross salary each month. This way, depending slightly on the salary, the employee gets an average savings of 20–30% compared to purchasing the same bike without the company bike benefit.
Your employer is responsible for acquiring the bike, most often through a leasing agreement. After the leasing period, the bike can usually be purchased for ownership. The employee pays a predetermined monthly share, which depends, among other things, on the price of the bike.
Once the practical matters are agreed upon with the employer, you can choose a suitable bike for yourself. The company bike benefit covers all types of bikes; you can choose an electric bike or a regular bicycle, from city bikes to mountain bikes, as your company bike.
In addition to the bike, the company bike benefit can include insurance, maintenance, and equipment such as lights, studded tires, and a helmet.
