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There are almost 300 tax-incentive and purchase-premium schemes for cycling across Europe offered by national, regional and local authorities to make it attractive to cycle more and drive less. While many incentives in Europe were already introduced in the last decade, the number of schemes has increased significantly since 2019.

ECF has mapped these schemes in a new online tool that provides information about the size of the subsidy, the type of bicycle and the eligible target groups. The tool gives an overview of cycling incentives at the national, regional and local level and is aimed at a wide range of stakeholders:

  • Businesses: If you represent a cycling business, it can help you identify market opportunities around Europe in countries, regions or cities where incentives and purchase premiums exist.
  • Public entities: By presenting best practices, it can inspire public administrations and decisionmakers to introduce schemes in their area.
  • Cyclists: It informs cycling advocates about schemes already implemented elsewhere around Europe to strengthen their advocacy efforts.

 

If you have any questions, please contact Holger Haubold: h.haubold@ecf.com
 

Tax benefits for cycling to work: In Belgium, employers must pay an allowance of currently €0.35 for every kilometre cycled to and from the workplace free from tax and social security contributions, up to a maximum of €2,500 per year. This allowance is obligatory for employers since 2023, but if collective agreements had already introduced it before, the amount per kilometre can be lower. It also applies to speed pedelecs.

Company bicycles: The provision of bicycles by an employer is free from income tax and social security contributions, as long as the bicycle is used at least partially for the way to work.

On top of that, companies can fully deduct the costs for providing bicycles and accessories, but also bicycle parking, showers and changing rooms etc. from their corporate tax base.

You can find more information on the situation in Belgium (in French and Dutch) here.

Reduced VAT rate on bicycle repair: Yes

Local

 
Amount per bicycle
€ 100

Seraing

  • Country:
    • Belgium
    • Prov. Liège
  • Type of bicycle: Pedelec-25
  • Target group: Individuals
 
Amount per bicycle
€ 100
  • Timeframe: Ongoing
 
Amount per bicycle
€ 250

Uccle/Ukkel

  • Country:
    • Belgium
    • Région de Bruxelles-Capitale / Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest
  • Type of bicycle: E-Cargobike
  • Target group: Individuals
 
Amount per bicycle
€ 250
  • Timeframe: Ongoing
 
Amount per bicycle
€ 250

Uccle/Ukkel

  • Country:
    • Belgium
    • Région de Bruxelles-Capitale / Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest
  • Type of bicycle: Cargobike
  • Target group: Individuals
 
Amount per bicycle
€ 250
  • Timeframe: Ongoing
 
Amount per bicycle
€ 250

Uccle/Ukkel

  • Country:
    • Belgium
    • Région de Bruxelles-Capitale / Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest
  • Type of bicycle: Pedelec-25
  • Target group: Individuals
 
Amount per bicycle
€ 250
  • Timeframe: Ongoing
 
Amount per bicycle
€ 100

Villers-la-Ville

  • Country:
    • Belgium
    • Prov. Brabant Wallon
  • Type of bicycle: Pedelec-25
  • Target group: Individuals
 
Amount per bicycle
€ 100
  • Timeframe: Ongoing
 
Amount per bicycle
€ 500

Wanze

  • Country:
    • Belgium
    • Prov. Liège
  • Type of bicycle: Pedelec-25
  • Target group: Individuals
 
Amount per bicycle
€ 500
  • Timeframe: Ongoing
 
Amount per bicycle
€ 50

Wasseiges

  • Country:
    • Belgium
    • Prov. Liège
  • Type of bicycle: Pedelec-25
  • Target group: Individuals
 
Amount per bicycle
€ 50
  • Timeframe: Ongoing
 
Amount per bicycle
€ 50

Woluwe-Saint-Pierre

  • Country:
    • Belgium
    • Région de Bruxelles-Capitale / Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest
  • Type of bicycle: All bikes
  • Target group: Individuals
 
Amount per bicycle
€ 50
  • Timeframe: Until funds are exhausted (2021)