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What is a tax-free mobility budget and how does it work with the HERO Card?
A mobility budget is a monthly subsidy (maximum €50 tax-free) that companies provide via the HERO Card. Employees can use bus, train, bicycle, e-scooter or car sharing flexibly — within accepted providers, digitally and in compliance with the law.
Which means of transport can I use with the mobility budget?
In principle, all mobility services that can be paid for with the HERO Card — such as public transport, regional bus, bicycle offers or car sharing. Decisive: Payment is made via Mastercard, provider must accept.
How much can I spend on mobility tax-free per month?
Up to 50€ per employee and month is tax-free. The budget can be used as an independent benefit or combined as a benefit in kind.
Can the budget be used for the Deutschlandticket?
Yes, provided that the ticket is paid within the mobility budget and the employer also approves it. Billing is carried out via the HERO Card.
How do I recharge the mobility budget for employees?
In the HERO employer portal, HR or Finance defines monthly subsidies. Charging is done automatically with a mouse click or workflow. Manual adjustments are possible at any time.
What happens with unused credit?
The unused credit does not expire at the end of the month, but remains active and can be saved as long as you want or used at a later date.
Can I also cover bike leasing or car sharing with it?
Yes, as long as the provider accepts Mastercard. The HERO Card thus enables environmentally friendly mobility options such as bike leasing or car sharing.
Does the mobility budget also work in rural regions?
Yes, the budget can be used throughout Germany. It can also be used to pay for mobility services in rural regions — such as regional buses, local transport or gas stations with card payments.
What is the tax-free payment in kind via the HERO Card?
A monthly tax-free amount of up to €50 that employees receive in addition to their salary. The benefits are processed digitally via the HERO Card — tax-free and social security free in accordance with Section 8 (2) EStG.
What is the monthly allowance for benefits in kind?
The legal exemption limit is currently €50 per month and employee. This amount must not be exceeded and must be used for a specific purpose.
Where can the credit be redeemed?
All Mastercard partners accept the HERO Card — both regionally and online. Industries such as alcohol or tobacco products are restricted if they are excluded from tax.
Are there any restrictions on use?
Yes The voucher must not be paid out in cash and must be used for specific goods or services. Freely usable bank cards, for example, are not permitted.
What happens with remaining credit at the end of the month?
The unused credit does not expire at the end of the month, but remains active and can be saved as long as you want or used at a later date.
Can I save up the credit or does it expire immediately?
In many cases, the credit can be used collectively over several months. The settings are made in the HERO portal.
Can benefits in kind be combined with other benefits?
Yes Hero Base can be combined with a mobility budget, meal allowance or Hero Care — all tax-free, permitted separately depending on the exemption limit.
How is Hero Base different from other solutions?
The HERO Card is completely digitally tax-compliant, can be used flexibly and can be controlled regionally. Administration, charging and reporting run centrally via the HERO portal — paperless and automated.
What are tax-free employer benefits and why are they relevant?
Tax-free employer benefits are additional benefits that companies can provide to their employees without being subject to income tax or social security contributions. These include benefits in kind, mobility budget, meal allowance and health promotion.
What are the benefits of tax-free benefits for employers?
They reduce non-wage costs, strengthen employee loyalty and offer a tax-optimized compensation module. The HERO Card simplifies implementation digitally and in an audit-proof manner.
What is the exemption limit for tax-free benefits from 2025?
The tax-free payment in kind is a maximum of 50€ per month per employee. Other benefits, such as mobility or health, have separate allowances and can be used in parallel.
Which benefits can be shown with the HERO Card?
Benefits in kind, meal allowance, mobility budget and health promotion — all tax-free benefits can be combined on one card. The HERO Card is designed as a multi-benefit wallet.
What expenses does the company incur?
The administrative effort is minimal. All benefits can be managed centrally via the HR portal. There are no flat fees per transaction, only the actively used services are billed.
How does charging the cards work?
In the HERO portal, a monthly amount is defined for each employee. Charging is carried out automatically according to plan. Manual rebookings are possible at any time.
What happens if I don't book anything for a month as an employer?
There is no charge if no amount is charged. The HERO Card remains valid for employees; credit can be saved or limited if desired.
Can small companies also take advantage of tax-free benefits?
Yes The HERO Card can be used by just a handful of employees. There is no minimum number, administration is simple and secure, even for small teams.
What benefits does the benefit in kind offer me as an employee?
You will receive up to €50 a month tax-free in addition to your salary. The credit can be used for a specific purpose, for example in supermarkets, cafés, bookstores or public transport.
Where can I shop or pay with the HERO Card?
The card works wherever Mastercard is accepted. This applies to stationary stores as well as to selected online shops. Depending on the company's settings, the catchment area may be limited.
Can I save my credit or will it be lost?
It depends on your employer's attitude. In many cases, the credit remains active for several months and can be used collectively.
How do I see my available credit?
In the HERO app, you can view your current balance and all transactions. If you don't use an app, you can find out about your account balance via email or portal.
Is there a physical card or just a digital wallet?
You will receive a genuine Mastercard in HERO design. In addition, the card can also be stored digitally in Apple Wallet or Google Pay.
What am I not allowed to buy with the card?
Cash withdrawals, tobacco, alcohol or pure cash payments are not allowed. The card only works for tax-approved products and services.
Can I influence my region or favorite stores?
Wenn dein Arbeitgeber regionale Steuerung aktiviert hat, wird das Guthaben bevorzugt in deiner Region eingesetzt. Wunschorte kannst du im HR-Portal vorschlagen, wenn das Feature aktiv ist.
How does this work during parental leave, illness or vacation?
As long as your employment relationship exists, the card remains active. In consultation with your employer, the recharge can be paused or continued.
What is tax-free occupational health promotion
Employers can provide their employees with up to 600€ per year tax-free for certified health measures. These include prevention courses, stress management and certain fitness offers.
Which benefits fall under tax-free health promotion?
Certified courses in the areas of exercise, nutrition, addiction prevention and stress management are reimbursed. Medically prescribed measures are also possible, provided that they comply with the guidelines.
How does it work with the HERO Card?
Employees pay their health benefits with the HERO Card or submit the receipt. The employer checks the proof and books the amount as a tax-free health benefit.
Can digital offerings also be used?
Yes Online courses, digital health platforms or prevention apps are allowed, provided they are recognized and certified.
Is there a legal obligation for employers?
No Health promotion is voluntary. However, it has a positive effect on satisfaction, sick leave and employer brand.
Can health benefits be combined with other benefits?
Yes Hero Care can be used together with benefits in kind, food allowance and mobility — each with its own tax allowance.
How is the tax-free health benefit managed in the HERO portal?
The employer deposits 600€ as an annual budget. Employees upload invoices or use the card directly. Everything else runs automatically in the background.
What happens if the amount is not exhausted?
Unused amounts expire at the end of the year unless there is an internal transfer arrangement.
What is the HERO employer portal?
A digital administration portal for all tax-free benefits. Companies can control, manage and evaluate benefits — including reporting, employee administration and document verification.
What features does the portal offer?
Benefit allocation, automated charging, budget management, regional management, reporting, app connection, DATEV export and more.
How many administrators can be created?
As many as you like. HR, finance, tax consulting or external partners can be set up with clear roles.
Is there an integration with DATEV?
Yes The export is compatible with DATEV and other payroll tools. All booking data can be further processed directly.
Can I control regions or acceptance points myself?
Yes Companies can determine whether credit can be used nationwide or only in certain areas of the postal code. Control is carried out directly in the portal.
What happens during cancellations or breaks?
Cards can be paused, canceled, or reactivated at any time. Administration is carried out centrally in the portal with one click.
Is the portal GDPR-compliant and secure?
Yes All data is processed in encrypted form and hosted in Germany. Access protection, rights management and deletion routines meet the highest security standards.
What support options are available for employers?
Personal onboarding support, accompanying training materials and a technical help desk are available at any time. Questions are answered within 24 hours on average.