Attracting, motivating and retaining employees: in a context of wage pressure and a competitive job market, employee benefits allow companies to differentiate themselves.
In 2026, a change in the Swiss tax framework will further enhance the appeal of employee gifts . The tax-exempt limit will increase to CHF 600 , providing employers with new opportunities to recognize and reward their teams in a simple, flexible, and tax-efficient way.
A concrete opportunity to transform a gesture of recognition into a genuine HR policy tool .
Give up to CHF 600 in tax-deductible gifts
Until now, gifts given to employees could be tax-exempt up to CHF 500 per person per year.
From January 1, 2026, this ceiling will increase to CHF 600 per employee per year , without the obligation to declare it on the salary certificate .
In a context where increasing wages is costly, this increase significantly enhances the attractiveness of non-monetary benefits in compensation policy.
Other regulatory developments are currently being clarified.
Please note that further legislative adjustments are being clarified for 2026. We are in contact with official bodies to analyze and clarify the new provisions announced.
Our goal is to be able to transform these regulatory developments into concrete, secure and actionable recommendations as soon as the framework for application is confirmed.
Why is offering a gift budget to employees a real lever for engagement?
Because it allows us to:
- increase employee purchasing power without additional payroll costs
- optimize overall compensation in a tax-efficient manner
- strengthen engagement and loyalty
- valuing recognition at work
In other words: a win for both the company and the employees.
Corporate gifts: a strategic HR tool
Gifts are no longer just symbolic. They are now part of a Flexible Benefits approach.
They allow us to mark key moments in the employee journey, for example:
- birthday
- seniority jubilee
- exceptional performance
- end-of-year celebrations
- important personal events (birth, marriage, etc.)
Offered at the right time, they strengthen the sense of belonging and company culture . They also allow the company to increase opportunities for recognition and positive communication with its employees.
Simplified management thanks to Swibeco’s Flexible Benefit Gifts
Although corporate gifting is a tradition in approximately 85% of Swiss companies, its distribution often remains a significant administrative burden . Furthermore, gifts are rarely personalized or integrated into a comprehensive benefits strategy.
With Benefits Manager , we offer you a centralized, digitalized and simplified solution for managing gift distribution:
- automatic distributions on important dates
- monitoring of allocated budgets
- visibility on the amounts distributed
- reduction of HR administrative burden
Employees genuinely satisfied with the gift received from their employer
In many cases, the gesture made by the company fails to achieve its objective. Indeed, impersonal gifts do not meet the needs or desires of the recipients.
With Flexible Benefit Gifts , this problem is a thing of the past.
As an employer, you define a budget. This is automatically credited to your employees who can use it according to their preferences via The Selection : products, experiences and gift vouchers in areas as varied as travel, wellness, gastronomy, leisure or high-tech.
The result: greater freedom of choice , a better impact, and increased satisfaction.
Employees also benefit from permanent access to over 400 partner brands and attractive flash offers on the Swibeco platform .
Changes in the legal framework regarding employee benefits: an opportunity to seize now
The increase in the tax-free gift allowance is therefore not just an administrative detail. It is a powerful tool, particularly for:
- strengthen the engagement of your teams
- optimize your costs
- modernize your HR strategy
- improve the employee experience
Finally, in a context where recognition at work is becoming a key factor in performance, corporate gifts are an essential element to integrate into your HR strategy… provided they are optimized within an overall benefits strategy.
Our team is at your disposal to discuss this topic in more detail. Benefit from a free consultation to effectively structure your gift budget for 2026.
