Federal mobility budget: How do you use it as an employee?

The Mobility Budget: A Flexible Alternative

Since 2023, the number of company cars in Belgium has been declining. Your employer realises that flexible mobility is the future. By offering the federal mobility budget, you get to decide how to travel. Thus, the mobility budget is often considered a flexible benefit, a supplement to your salary.

However, it primarily serves as an alternative to the company car. When you trade in your vehicle, you receive its value, also known as the Total Cost of Ownership, in the form of a budget. And yes, you guessed it, that’s your mobility budget.

You can then spend this budget on three pillars:

• Pillar 1, an environmentally friendly company car.
• Pillar 2, sustainable mobility alternatives or rent/loan.
• Pillar 3, a payout of the remaining budget at the end of the year.

Pillar 1: An Environmentally Friendly Car

To qualify as ‘environmentally friendly’, a car must emit less than 95g of CO2 per kilometre. From 1 January 2026, it must be CO2-free. Yes, that means an electric car. Together with your employer, you’ll select a model that fits your budget.

By the way, your employer is not obligated to offer pillar 1. This depends on your company’s needs and policies. If they do offer it, you can still decide whether to spend your mobility budget on a green company car or not.

If the case you opt for pillar 1 and have remaining budget, or choose not to use a car at all, you can freely use that leftover budget on pillar 2. You might even decide to have the remaining amount paid out at the end of the year via pillar 3.

Pillar 2: Sustainable Alternatives and Housing

The freedom of pillar 2 is the true strength of the mobility budget. The available mobility options vary from employer to employer, since each company has its own preferences. However, you’ll always have at least one option in pillar 2.

Adding to that, this pillar is entirely free from social security contributions and withholding tax. In other words, the entire amount is available to spend as you wish.

These are the possible sustainable alternatives for pillar 2

Let’s first discuss the many mobility options. You can choose from…

• Public transport: (international) trains, trams, buses, and metros
• Parking subscriptions and tickets related to commuting with public transport
• Shared transport: carpooling, shared cars/scooters/bikes/steps, office buses, taxis, and rental cars for up to 30 days a year
• Soft mobility: buying, renting, leasing, financing, and maintaining electric vehicles with a maximum speed of 45 km/h, or purchasing safety equipment and bike accessories to enhance your visibility

From the first of January 2026, cars for carpooling, car-sharing and chauffeur-driven car rentals must have zero CO2 emissions. This also applies to soft mobility vehicles.

You may also use your mobility budget to pay for your family member’s sustainable travel or transport options. This applies not only in Belgium but throughout the European Economic Area. This area covers all EU countries plus Liechtenstein, Norway, and Iceland. Switzerland and the United Kingdom are not included.

Furthermore, you can use your mobility budget to pay your rent or mortgage. At first, it might seem like an odd choice, but remote work is seen as the most sustainable option, since it requires no commuting. If your employer offers this option and you wish to use your budget for housing costs, you must meet one of these criteria:

• You live within 10 kilometres of your workplace.
• You work at least 50% from home. In this case, your home is considered your main workplace. Therefore, the commuting distance is 0 kilometres, which is less than 10.

Pillar 3: Payout of Remaining Budget

Do you still have budget left at the end of the year? The amount will be paid into your bank account in January of the next calendar year. You will receive the remaining budget once a year, after deducting the 38.07% special employee contribution. What you do with the money afterwards is entirely up to you.

Conclusion: You Choose How to Use Your Mobility Budget

Based on the options your employer provides, you decide what to spend your budget on. From international train tickets for a weekend in Paris with the family to an electric bike or monowheel: it’s up to you.

In the Olympus app, you’ll find over 35 flexible mobility options to choose from. Purchase tickets or book transport options directly in the app. Even if you make external purchases, such as a bike, you can quickly apply for reimbursements. Additionally, you can set up an account for your family members so they can also use your mobility budget as they wish.

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