Bedrijfsfitness Nederland: How to Get Cheaper Gym Access Through Your Employer

Bedrijfsfitness Nederland, now run under the Epassi Group, connects employees at participating companies to more than 5,000 sports locations across the Netherlands, from mainstream gyms to yoga studios and swimming pools, at a reduced rate paid through payroll. A standard Dutch gym membership can easily run €45 to €90 or more a month, so a scheme that lowers your own out-of-pocket cost is worth knowing about once you have settled into a job here. Here is how it works, how to enroll, and roughly what it can save you.

What Is Bedrijfsfitness Nederland?

Bedrijfsfitness Nederland is a corporate fitness platform that employers sign up for on behalf of their staff. It runs on the Dutch government's Werkkostenregeling (the Work-Related Costs scheme, usually shortened to WKR), which lets employers offer certain benefits in a tax-advantaged way instead of you paying for everything out of your own after-tax salary. The brand is now part of the Epassi Group, which also offers its own corporate fitness network, so depending on your employer you may see the service presented under either the Bedrijfsfitness Nederland or Epassi name.

How the Tax Saving Works

Instead of paying full price for a gym membership from your net salary, the cost is arranged through your employer and benefits from the WKR structure, which lowers what you actually pay compared to buying the same membership yourself. As an illustration, Epassi's own published examples show savings in the region of 40 to 50 percent against the standalone retail price of a membership, depending on the gym and your personal tax situation. Treat any specific euro figure you see online, including in this guide, as a rough illustration rather than a guarantee: your own saving depends on your tax bracket, your employer's contribution, and the location you choose.

How to Enroll

1. Check with HR whether your employer already participates. If not, HR can register the company on the platform at no cost. 2. Browse the network through the Bedrijfsfitness Nederland or Epassi portal using your work login, and find a gym or studio near your home or office. 3. Submit your choice through the platform. 4. Wait for payroll approval. Once your employer confirms the deduction, you get your digital or physical pass and can start working out.

Good to Know

• Contracts commonly run for a fixed term, often 12 months, similar to a standard Dutch gym contract.
• The network covers far more than classic weight rooms: yoga, padel, swimming, martial arts, and specialised coaching are often included.
• This is an employer-sponsored benefit, so freelancers (ZZP'ers) are not automatically covered. Some payroll or umbrella arrangements offer a comparable tax-advantaged option, so check with your own accountant or payroll provider if you work for yourself.

If You Are Setting Up a Business

If you employ staff yourself, offering this kind of scheme is a straightforward, low-cost way to add a wellness benefit without a large administrative burden. If you are freelancing instead, our "Freelancing ZZP" and "Setting Up a Business" guides cover the related practicalities of structuring your own benefits.

References

• Bedrijfsfitness: sporten via de werkgever (Epassi)
• Hoe werkt bedrijfsfitness? Zo haal je als HR het maximale uit vitaliteit (Bedrijfsfitness Nederland)