Germany sees drop in low‑income commuters claiming mobility premium

Data from the German tax authorities show that the number of low‑income workers applying for the state‑funded mobility premium fell from about 150,000 in 2021 to roughly 140,000 in 2022. The subsidy, intended for commuters traveling over 20 km who do not qualify for the regular commuting allowance, provides a net payment of €0.0532 per kilometre and averages €160 per applicant per year. The Federal Ministry of Finance reported that the potential pool of eligible users exceeds 200,000. Christian Görke, chair of the Bundestag’s Finance Committee, criticised the decline and called for a universal mobility allowance that would apply regardless of income, noting that high‑earners receive about €0.18 per kilometre in tax relief.