DE hubs

Business Travel Reimbursement: Who Qualifies and What You Get

Learn how employees can claim tax-free daily allowances for meal expenses incurred during business trips.

This scheme allows employees who travel for work to claim a tax-free daily allowance to cover the extra costs of meals.

Who it's for

This is for employees who are required to go on business trips for their work.

What you get

You can receive a tax-free daily allowance, known locally as Verpflegungsmehraufwand, to help cover the additional costs of food while you are away from your home base.

What it costs you

There is no direct monetary cost to apply, but you must provide documentation. You are required to record your trips in a travel expense report, or Reisekostenabrechnung, to justify the claim.

The catch to know

The amount you are allowed to claim is not fixed; the rates change depending on which country you are visiting and how long you stay there.

How to apply

  1. Keep detailed records of all your business travel dates.
  2. Track where you are traveling and the duration of each trip.
  3. Complete a travel expense report documenting your meals.
  4. Submit your report to your employer or the relevant tax authority.