Commuters in Germany: Car remains king, but the trend is declining!

Commuters in Germany: Car remains king, but the trend is declining!

In Germany, the car remains the most important means of transport for commuters, although usage has declined slightly in recent years. According to the microcensus, 65% of respondents currently use their car to get to work, which represents a decrease of 3 percentage points compared to four years ago. This decreasing trend could be influenced by the increased use of public transport.

In fact, 16% of commuters now use public transport, an increase of 2 percentage points, possibly due to the new Deutschlandticket. A similar trend is observed among pedestrians: 6% of respondents walk to work, an increase of 1 percentage point since 2020. Cycling remains constant at 10% of commuters.

Commuting time and route to work

Another interesting aspect is the commute time. 70% of commuters need less than 30 minutes to get to work. Of these, 19% commute in less than 10 minutes and 50% between 10 and under 30 minutes. Only 6% of those surveyed have to spend an hour or more on their route every day.

With regard to tax aspects, commuters also face an important decision. From January 1, 2025, the commuter allowance will be reorganized. Previously, commuters could claim 30 cents per kilometer for the first 20 kilometers, and from the 21st kilometer onwards the costs rose to 38 cents. With the new regulation, the flat rate will be applied to the entire route from the first kilometer at 38 cents. The aim of this change is to provide relief for short-distance commuters, especially employees who commute less than 20 kilometers to work.

Commuter flat rate or Germany ticket?

The tax relief is significant: Commuters who travel 15 kilometers will be able to have 1,254 euros credited in the future, which corresponds to an annual saving of 264 euros. Over 20 kilometers, the savings can even increase to 352 euros. Commuters with longer distances also benefit, but the maximum savings remain at 352 euros.

The Deutschlandticket, which allows discounted access to public transport for 49 euros per month (from January 1, 2025, the price will rise to 58 euros), is also an attractive option for many commuters. An example illustrates the tax advantages: A commuter with a distance of 20 kilometers pays 696 euros annually for the Deutschlandticket and can apply a commuter flat rate of 1,672 euros, which leads to a tax advantage of around 976 euros.

The decision between the commuter flat rate and the Deutschlandticket depends heavily on individual commuter behavior. Commuters with short distances usually benefit more from the commuter allowance, while commuters with longer distances should consider the advantages of the Deutschlandticket.

In summary, the development of commuter numbers and the changes in the commuter allowance show that traffic in Germany remains dynamic and commuters are faced with new challenges and opportunities. A report from Stuttgart News provides detailed information on these trends.

Additional data on work-related movements of commuters can be found in Commuter Atlas from the employment agency can be viewed. Here you can find information on employees subject to social insurance contributions as well as detailed statistics on commuting rates and balances in Germany.

The developments surrounding commuting behavior and the new regulations offer interesting insights into the mobility of the German population and its influence on the labor market.