Taxation of employee benefits

Hello employer, learn how you can offer tax-free employee benefits using Edenred's targeted payment instruments.

Order benefits
Download guide

How does the taxation of employee benefits work?

On this page, you will find the main points related to the taxation of employee benefits.

Edenred's operation is based on providing targeted payment instruments for the benefits, as our solutions enable tax exemption for fringe benefits and staff benefits, as well as smooth usage.

Lunch benefit (Edenred Lounari)

The lunch benefit (or meal benefit) is defined by the Tax Administration as 25% tax-free.

It is a daily benefit intended for use once per day and provided to employees on a monthly basis, meaning its amount varies according to the number of working days. The Tax Administration determines the minimum and maximum payment limits for the benefit on a daily basis. The lunch benefit can be offered to employees as a fringe benefit or as a lunch deduction.

 

Note! In order for the 25% tax exemption for the lunch benefit to apply, the loadable value must be at least 11,47€/day, as the employee's share of the benefit must be at least 8,60€ in 2025 (75% taxable portion of 11,47€ is 8,60€). Therefore, the full tax exemption for the benefit will not be realized if the employee is loaded with less than 11,47€.

 

Lunch benefit on top of salary

A fringe benefit, i.e. a benefit paid on top of salary, is similar to a salary increase. This way, the employer can save up to 25%.

Example: If an employee is given a 100 € salary increase in cash, the employer must pay employer contributions on the entire amount. In this case, the actual costs of the salary increase rise.

If, instead, the salary increase is offered as a 100 € lunch benefit, the taxable portion is 75%, meaning employer contributions are only paid on 75 €. The remaining 25 € is deducted as such in taxation, and the taxable portion (75 €) is considered an expense comparable to salary costs.

Edenred lunch fringe benefit graph

Lunch deduction

The lunch deduction is charged to the employee's salary. 25% of the lunch benefit is tax-deductible, meaning the employee pays at least 75%.

Example: The employer offers the employee a lunch benefit for 21 working days in a month. The employee pays for the benefit 21 x (0.75 x 13,70 €*) = 215,78 €, which is deducted from their salary. The employer pays only 25% for the benefit, i.e., 21 x (0.25 x 13,70 €*) = 71,93 €, and can deduct this in taxation.

*Maximum value in 2025

 

Edenred lunch deducation graph

 

Sports and culture benefit (Edenred Virike)

The sports and culture benefit is a wellness-promoting alternative to a salary increase, for which a tax-free maximum amount has been defined. It is a staff benefit that is tax-free for the employee and tax-deductible for the employer.

The benefit must be offered collectively to the staff. However, the employer can determine how much tax-free benefit is provided within the maximum limit and whether it includes a deductible portion.

Massage benefit (Edenred Massage)

The massage benefit is a staff benefit offered in the same way as a salary increase, which must be distributed collectively, in a customary and reasonable manner. The benefit is tax-free for the employee and tax-deductible for the employer. Check the tax-free maximum amount for the massage benefit.

The employer can determine how much tax-free benefit is provided within the maximum limit and whether it includes a deductible portion.

The tax exemption requires that the employer has pre-defined the service providers within the Edenred network where the targeted payment methods for the massage benefit can be used. Edenred facilitates this through a separate tool.

Commuting benefit (Edenred Transport)

The commuting benefit is a fringe benefit offered in the same way as a salary increase, for which the Tax Administration has set a tax-free maximum amount  (including the amount of the bicycle benefit). The benefit is tax-free for the employee and tax-deductible for the employer.

The benefit does not need to be offered collectively to the staff, and the employer can determine how much tax-free benefit is provided within the maximum limit.

Bike benefit (Edenred Bike)

The bike benefit is a fringe benefit offered in the same way as a salary increase, for which the Tax Administration has set a tax-free maximum amount that is included in the commuting benefit. The benefit is tax-free for the employee and tax-deductible for the employer.

The benefit does not need to be offered collectively to the staff, and the employer can determine how much tax-free benefit is provided within the maximum limit.

Wellbeing benefit (Edenred Wellbeing)

A wellbeing benefit is a staff benefit that, like a salary increase, must be provided within a tax-free maximum amount defined by the Tax Administration. The benefit must be distributed collectively, and it should be customary and reasonable. The benefit is tax-free for the employee and tax-deductible for the employer.

NOTE! The tax exemption for the wellbeing benefit requires that the benefit is organized by the employer and that it is stipulated in an agreement related to occupational health services, guidelines, or another similar document. Additionally, the tax exemption requires that the employer has pre-defined the service providers within the Edenred network where the targeted payment methods for the wellbeing benefit can be used. Edenred facilitates this through a separate tool.

Delicard® gift cards

Edenred's product selection is complemented by Delicard® gift cards, which enable tax-free rewarding of employees.

Read our compiled information package based on the Tax Administration's guidelines regarding employee gifts. You can also download a comprehensive guide on rewarding!

ABCs of Rewarding
Edenred  employee benefits tax guide 2025_sisaltokuva-500x334px

Do you want to learn more about the taxation of employee benefits?  

Fringe benefits, staff benefits, targeted payment instruments... who wouldn't want to learn more about them?

We have compiled a comprehensive, easy-to-understand, and free guide to clarify employee benefits and their taxation practices.

Download guide

Still something on your mind?

Fill out the contact form, and we will assist you with any questions related to employee benefits!