Good benefits don't have to be expensive. However, if money is involved, it is worth making the benefits tax-free or at least tax-privileged. The good thing is that there are suitable benefit offers for every size of company. Here you will find five ideas for free benefits, employee offers with moderate effort and expensive extras that will surprise, relieve and retain your team in the long term. If you need a budget, we'll show you how you can use it tax-free.
- ·
4min reading time
.svg)
These benefits cost nothing - apart from a little attention and organization. They can be implemented immediately and often bring more than you think.
1. discount platforms for employees (e.g. FutureBens)
→ Employees can save more than €1000 - companies pay €0
→ Ideal for anyone who wants to show their appreciation without an additional budget
2. birthday-free days or "Early Leave Friday"
→ This small gesture has a big effect. There is no additional cost, but it is a strong signal for culture.
3. study breaks
→ Give your employees the chance to learn while they work. The resources for this can be found free of charge on many online platforms.
4. appreciative welcome packages with existing resources
→ An email, a small guide, access to the benefits. It's not about the big gift, but about a nice gesture.
5. a team library, plant exchanges or the best tips in the area
→ A cupboard becomes a book swap library, cuttings are swapped once a quarter and recipes, podcast tips and favorite cafés can be found on the intranet. This creates a community without a budget.
A small investment is needed here. We have specifically selected the benefits that are tax-free for you and your team. All benefits can be flexibly combined.
1. benefits in kind up to € 50 per month tax-free (Section 8 (2) EStG)
→ With voucher cards or via platforms that are set up in a tax-compliant manner. Your employees will have a really good feeling at the latest when they redeem them!
2. health promotion up to € 600 per year tax-free (§ 3 No. 34 EStG)
→ Subsidy for back courses, meditation apps or organic food, the positive side effect: healthier employees
3. subsidy for public transport or Germany ticket (§ 3 No. 15 EStG)
→ Saves money, enhances everyday life and improves the carbon footprint
4 JobRad or bicycle leasing
→ Sustainable, emotionally valuable and tax-optimized via salary conversion. A new bike is used a lot and brings pleasure for a long time. A discounted bike is the ideal way to anchor positive experiences in everyday life.
5. access to online training
→ Regardless of whether professional or private topics such as courses on AI, sustainability or mental health: learning employees are always an asset.
Watch out: Many companies do not make full use of tax-free benefits. According to Roland Berger (2025), a third (27%) of HR managers surveyed do not use the health allowance. This is despite the fact that employees show a strong interest in this area in particular.
These benefits cost more, but also have a big impact. And with the right structure, they can be at least partially tax-optimized.
1. company pension scheme (bAV)
→ State-subsidized and highly relevant for retirement planning. You ensure security and take advantage of tax leeway.
2. childcare allowance (§ 3 No. 33 EStG)
→ Fully tax-free possible if paid directly to the childcare provider. Such a benefit has a magnetic effect on young professionals who want to have children or have children.
3. fertility or family care benefits
→ Subsidies for IVF, counseling or care support are fiscally complex in Germany, but can be implemented. More information is available from providers such as peaches.
4. corporate coaching & mental health budgets
→ Personal budgets for therapy, coaching or prevention are tax-free if they are part of health promotion or company-related.
5. innovative mobility solutions (e.g. e-car leasing via salary conversion)
→ Makes a big purchase easier for your employee, saves CO₂ and often also non-wage labor costs.
Employee benefits are effective when they are close to people's everyday lives. Good offers are relevant, easy to use and, in the best case, tax-optimized.
Whether you are setting up a new program or revising your existing portfolio:
Do you want to know what a free entry with immediate added value can look like?
Then write to us at employers@futurebens.co or directly on LinkedIn. We will be happy to help you.
