This article explains how the commuter allowance works – and how an e-bike can be even more financially worthwhile.
What is the commuter allowance?
The commuter allowance (officially "distance allowance") is a tax benefit for employees. It allows them to claim the distance between their home and workplace as a tax deduction – regardless of the means of transport used.
The most important points at a glance:
€0.30 per kilometer for the first 20 km
€0.38 per kilometer from the 21st kilometer
Valid per working day and one-way trip
Mode of transport doesn't matter: car, train or bicycle
👉 This means that even those who commute to work by e-bike can use the flat rate.
Commuter allowance & e-bike: Is it really worth it?
Yes - and often even more so than by car.
While car drivers have high running costs (fuel, insurance, maintenance), with e-bikes a large part of the flat rate remains as a real financial advantage .
Example:
👉 In a car, a large part of it is "eaten up".
👉 With an e-bike, you get significantly more money left over.
Additionally, you save:
Fuel costs
Parking fees
Wear and tear costs
Intermodal mobility: The smart combination
Especially for commuters in the surrounding area, the combination of bicycle and public transport is ideal.
Typical scenario:
Taking the e-folding bike to the train station
Take the train into the city
The last few kilometers were covered by bike again.
This form of intermodal mobility combines flexibility with efficiency.
Advantages:
Why the folding bike is a game changer
A classic problem with public transport : bicycles are often bulky or cost extra. An e-folding bike solves this problem.
Everyday benefits:
Foldable → can be taken on the train free of charge (depending on the fare)
Compact → fits in the office or under the desk
Flexible → ideal for spontaneous trips
Especially for commuters, the folding bike becomes a link between transport systems .
Combine for tax purposes: public transport + bicycle
Many commuters ask themselves: 👉 Can train fares and the commuter allowance be deducted simultaneously?
The answer is: Yes – but with limitations.
The commuter allowance already covers the route.
Additional ticket costs cannot be charged twice.
Exception: actual costs are higher than the flat rate.
👉 In practice, a comparison is often worthwhile.
Sustainability: More than just a trend
Commuting by e-bike significantly reduces CO₂ emissions compared to driving a car . At the same time, it offers health benefits:
Even though an e-bike causes CO₂ in its production, this footprint is often amortized after just a few months of use compared to a car.
Who would particularly benefit from this?
The model consisting of e-bike + commuter allowance + public transport is particularly attractive for:
Commuters traveling up to approximately 20–30 km
City commuters with parking problems
Rail commuters (last mile)
Environmentally conscious employees
Conclusion: Use the commuter allowance wisely
The commuter allowance is not just an advantage for drivers – on the contrary:
Those who commute by e-bike or folding bike may even be better off financially.
In combination with bus and train, a modern mobility concept is created that:
👉 This makes the e-folding bike the perfect companion for commuting to work.
