Country guide

Tax-free employee gift cards in Netherlands

Gift cards to employees run through the WKR vrije ruimte (2.00% of payroll up to €400k, 1.18% above, 2026). The €25 kleine geschenkenregeling applies only to physical gifts in natura — gift cards do not qualify. €227 is the BUA VAT-deduction cap for client gifts, not an income-tax exemption.

Author
Editorial team, gift.cards
Reviewed by
gift.cards Editorial Board
Internal legal & fiscal review
Last reviewed
1 March 2026
Werkkostenregeling (WKR) — vrije ruimte and kleine geschenkenregeling
Next scheduled review
1 March 2027
Annual verification cycle
Verified against official sources — 1 March 2026Editorial standards & methodology →

This page is general information based on published rules and was last reviewed on the date shown. It is not tax advice — confirm with your accountant or tax counsel for your specific situation.

The rule in plain language

  • Free space (vrije ruimte) 2026: 2.00 % of the first €400,000 wage bill, 1.18 % above. Going over triggers an 80 % final levy on the excess. Employer-issued gift cards are designated to this budget.
  • The €25 kleine geschenkenregeling is for gifts in natura only (flowers, fruit basket, book) — gift cards and money-equivalent vouchers do not qualify and are wages unless designated to the vrije ruimte.
  • Jubilee gift at 25 and 40 years of service: tax-free up to one month's gross salary (separate regime).
  • Client gifts (relatiegeschenk): €227 per recipient per year is the BUA VAT-deduction threshold (art. 1 BUA), not an income-tax exemption. Above €227, input VAT on the gift is not recoverable.

Conditions to qualify

  • Designate employer-issued gift cards to the vrije ruimte before year-end.
  • Track total WKR spend across the year — exceeding the free space triggers an 80% final levy.
  • For client gifts: keep a per-recipient annual log to apply the €227 BUA VAT-deduction threshold.
  • Do not rely on the €25 kleine geschenkenregeling for gift cards — it covers physical gifts in natura only.

Recognised occasions

  • Year-end / Christmas (via vrije ruimte)
  • Birthday (via vrije ruimte)
  • Wedding (via vrije ruimte)
  • Birth of a child (via vrije ruimte)
  • Work jubilee (25 / 40 years — separate regime)

Client gifts

€227 per recipient per year is the BUA VAT-deduction threshold (art. 1 BUA). Below that, input VAT on client gifts can be recovered; above, it cannot. This is a VAT rule, not an income-tax exemption. For Corporate Tax, the gift's deductibility follows the general business-expense rules.

Which brands qualify in this market?

These closed-loop brands typically qualify under the tax rules in Netherlands. Pick a brand for the B2B PDP with ordering details.

Watch out for these open-loop options

Marketplaces and prepaid cards are usually treated as taxable income in Netherlands. See the brand PDP for details.

Use the estimator below

Is this tax-free?

Estimated treatment
Partially tax-free

Designate the value to the WKR vrije ruimte — exempt up to your remaining free space; otherwise 80 % final levy on the excess.

  • The €25 kleinegeschenkenregeling covers physical gifts in natura only — gift cards do not qualify. Route staff gift cards through the WKR vrije ruimte instead.
  • This estimator gives general information based on published rules. It is not tax advice — confirm with your accountant for your specific situation.

Not tax advice — see the country page for the full rule and sources.

Read the country guide

Frequently asked

Werkkostenregeling (WKR) — vrije ruimte and kleine geschenkenregeling

Can I use the €25 kleine geschenkenregeling for a gift card?

No. The €25 exemption applies only to physical gifts in natura — flowers, a fruit basket, a book. Gift cards and money-equivalent vouchers do not qualify and must be designated to the WKR vrije ruimte if you want them outside payroll.

What is the free space if my wage bill is €1m?

2.00 % × €400,000 + 1.18 % × €600,000 = €15,080 of free space for 2026.

Is the €227 client-gift cap an income-tax exemption?

No. €227 is the BUA VAT-deduction threshold for client gifts (art. 1 BUA). Below the cap you can recover input VAT, above it you cannot. It is not an income-tax or corporate-tax exemption for the recipient.

Country guide

Send compliant gift cards in this market

Your account manager handles compliance, personalisation and delivery in 180+ countries. One invoice, no platform fee.

Request a quote

Talk to a dedicated account manager about Netherlands

Every programme is set up with you personally. Share what you need and your account manager sends a quote, with one invoice for all countries.

Request a quote

This page is general guidance, not tax advice. Confirm your own situation with your accountant or tax adviser before you act on it.