The number of company cars on Belgian roads has doubled in less than 20 years, as almost 15% of employees benefit from the work perk.
Figures from the Ministry of Mobility and Transport show that in total there are now 626,645 company vehicles being driven in Belgium, accounting for 8.9% of the total vehicle fleet.
The figure has more than doubled in less than two decades, having risen steadily from 272,000 company cars on the roads at the beginning of 2007.
A company car is made available to an employee by their company or employer, which can be used for private purposes. These cars are considered to be a benefit in kind for the employee.
The high tax rates in Belgium often make it more financially attractive for employers to reward workers with cars rather than better wages. A company car often also comes with a fuel card, meaning that people do not have to pay for their own fuel.
Figures shared by the Ministry for Mobility and Transport do not include company cars owned by company directors, as these figures are not available. The number of 'salary cars' given to employees can be counted by tracking CO2 solidarity payments made by employers who provide company cars to staff.
New record
In 2007, only 7.4% of employees had a company car, a total of 271,949 vehicles or 4.7% of the vehicle fleet. In 2024, Belgium will reach a new record with 14.7% of employees.
While the number of employees in Belgium has risen by 16% between 2007 and 2024, the number of salary cars has increased by 130%, an average annual increase of 5%.
A study earlier this year by SD Worx found that young people are less likely to be given a company car as a work benefit, as tough economic conditions have led companies to tighten their belts and cut costs, in particular for more junior employment packages.
Belgium is the only country where more than half of employees (57%) say they have some kind of mobility benefit. In Europe, the average is 29% of workers.
