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22. February 2026 Tax Changes for 2026:
Higher Commuter Allowance & More
Higher Commuter Allowance & More
Rail Service & Finance 2026 – What You Should Know as a Rail Employee
- 38-cent commuter allowance starting at the first kilometer—more tax benefits for your commute
- Get Better Deals on the Jobticket and Deutschlandticket Thanks to Employer Subsidies
- Combine BahnCard and travel discounts smartly—often completely tax-free
Get more money back:
Commuter Allowance & Tax Tips for 2026
The new year has begun, and there’s some important news for you as a railway employee. Whether it’s tax changes, benefits like job tickets and BahnCards, or the latest developments in collective bargaining agreements—we’ll bring you up to date.
Here are the most important changes
At a Glance:
Our Team for Railroad Employees
For us, personalized advice on an equal footing is more than just a promise—it’s part of our DNA. Our advisors not only know how company pensions work, but above all, what they mean for you as a railway employee. Many of them come from the railway industry themselves. Some are also closely connected to the rail industry in other ways. They understand your day-to-day work and speak your language. We think that’s important! Because who else understands you quite as well? That’s right! No one!
Whether you have questions about payment options, tax benefits, or how to best structure your DB company pension—we’ll take the time to help you. We’re reliable, knowledgeable, and approachable.
As a railway insurer—an agency within the DEVK network—we advise railway employees on suitable solutions related to DBplus and other forms of retirement planning. Our specialization allows us to offer attractive special rates for Deutsche Bahn employees.
DEVK is the employee benefits organization of Deutsche Bahn; we represent DEVK as a DBplus partner. Our DBplus-certified advisors, as part of the DEVK network, are thoroughly familiar with the specific needs and opportunities for railway employees.
Job Ticket & Germany Ticket:
Commute More Inexpensively Than Railroad Employees
Commuting to work as affordably as possible—the Jobticket and Deutschlandticket are still available for this purpose, with a few improvements to the details. If your employer (i.e., Deutsche Bahn or one of its subsidiaries) offers a Deutschlandticket or Jobticket, you shouldn’t miss out on it:
Price advantage through employer subsidies: Companies that subsidize at least 25% of the ticket price for their employees receive a 5% discount on the ticket price from the federal government. Starting in 2026, the Deutschlandticket will officially cost €63—with the discount , it’s €59.85. So if your employer covers 25% (€15.75), you’ll pay no more than €44.10 per month yourself. Many companies (including DB itself) use this model, so as an employee, you can get the ticket for significantly less than the regular price.
Tax-Free Benefits: Your employer’s contribution toward your Jobticket is exempt from taxes and social security contributions —as long as it is paid in addition to your regular wages (i.e., not in lieu of wages) and does not exceed the ticket price. Important to know: However, a tax-free job ticket reduces your deductible commuting allowance. The tax office deducts the subsidized amounts from your income-related expenses. Alternatively, your employer can tax the ticket subsidy at a flat rate of 25%; in that case, it remains tax-free for you without reducing your commuter allowance. Many employers choose this option so that you don’t end up at a tax disadvantage—feel free to ask how it’s handled at your company.
Full flexibility: With the Deutschlandticket, you can travel not only to work but also on all local public transit 365 days a year—including during your free time or on weekends. An employee ID card is often not enough to ride the bus or subway, but the Jobticket is. If you use public transit a lot anyway, this ticket is a real bargain—especially with an employer discount. And if you rarely need to take the train (e.g., because you’re working from home), you can cancel or pause your subscription on a monthly basis. Totally flexible!
2025/26 Wage Negotiations:
More money and long-term security
2025 Tax Return: Get Back What You're Entitled To
New Year, same old duty:
It’s time to file your 2025 tax return. While many of us aren’t required to file a tax return (for example, if you have only one source of income, are in tax bracket I, have no side income, etc.) , it’s often worth doing anyway! Especially as a railway employee, you have certain expenses and allowances that can lead to a nice tax refund. Here are a few tips on what to keep in mind:
Don’t miss the deadline: If you’re required to file a tax return for 2025 (or wish to do so voluntarily), you have until July 31, 2026, to do so. This general deadline applies to those who are required to file. If you’re filing voluntarily, you can even wait until the end of 2029—but why wait that long if you might be due a refund? If you enlist the help of a tax assistance association or a tax advisor, the deadline is usually extended (for 2025 cases, likely until the end of February 2027). It’s best to mark July 31 in red on your calendar, just to be on the safe side.
Travel Expenses and Mobility: Be sure to claim your mileage allowance —thanks to the rate of 38 cents per kilometer starting from the first kilometer for 2025 (effective 2026), this can add up to a significant amount. Even if you received a tax-free commuter pass, you can still claim the remaining kilometers or days that weren’t subsidized by your employer. Business trips should also be included in your tax return if you paid for them yourself (e.g., if you drove your own car—in that case, you’ll receive 30 cents per kilometer as travel expenses, or higher flat rates for out-of-town work).
Work Equipment & Professional Supplies: Have you purchased anything yourself for work purposes? For example, professional literature (perhaps books on rail technology or regulations), work clothing (e.g., safety shoes), or office supplies for your home office? You can claim such work-related expenses. A home office or a pro-rated share of internet and phone costs—if you regularly work from home—might also be relevant. The total must exceed €1,230 to be eligible—but keep in mind: Commutes between your home and workplace already count toward this total. For many people, this alone is enough to exceed the annual flat rate.
Union Dues & Insurance: Don’t forget to include EVG or GDL membership dues. As mentioned above, these are now additionally deductible starting in 2026—but they also count for 2025, of course, just as part of your regular income-related expenses. You can also claim professional liability insurance or expenses for job applications, etc., if applicable. Health insurance premiums paid to the Bahn-BKK (if, for example, you’re voluntarily enrolled in statutory health insurance and pay the premiums yourself) are classified as special expenses.
Finally, a note about timing: You should receive your 2025 wage tax statement from your employer by February 2026. It lists all the important figures (gross wages, withheld income tax, tax-free allowances paid, such as the Jobticket in line 17, etc.). Get started on it—preferably now in the winter or spring, so you can get it out of the way. And remember to collect your receipts (though a lot of this can be done electronically, e.g., your BahnCard purchase receipt, train ticket statements, and other receipts).
Important Changes for DB Employees in 2025/2026
Advice and Support
We know how demanding your day-to-day work at the railroad can be. And that’s exactly why we offer solutions that are tailored to you—whether you work early or late shifts, part-time, or are on parental leave. Your retirement plan should adapt to you, not the other way around. Let’s work together to secure your future and discuss it in person. We look forward to your call. Together, we’ll lay the groundwork you can rely on later in life. And that sounds promising—don’t you think?
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