VAT Rate in Germany

Q: How do I comply with VAT in Germany?

Complying with VAT in Germany means following the German VAT act. This includes preparing the correct invoices, keeping the necessary records of transactions for a period of 10 years and using legitimate foreign currency rates.

Q: What are my VAT responsibilities?

As a VAT-registered business in Germany: You have to charge VAT on all taxable goods and services you sell. You must file a VAT return every 3 months, even if you have no VAT to report. You can reclaim the VAT you paid for goods and services from other VAT-registered businesses. When reporting your VAT, keep in mind, you must pay VAT even if you didn’t charge it from the customer — the price that you charge has the VAT included.

Q: What is exempt from VAT?

There are a few goods and services in Germany that are exempt from VAT and are not taxable. They include: Education and training Insurance and financial services Fundraising events held by charities Medical care and social services

Q: The difference between ’Zero-Rate’ and ‘VAT exempt’ in Germany?

VAT-exempt means the goods and services are outside the VAT system — you don’t need to charge any VAT on them nor report them on your VAT return. Even though you don’t pay VAT on zero-rated supplies, they are still taxable and must be reported on your VAT return. You can also reclaim the input VAT that you paid to other businesses when producing your zero-rated goods.

Is your business importing goods from abroad, or are you preparing for your travels? Learn how you can make VAT rates work in your favour.

VAT for travellers VAT for business

How much is VAT in Germany?

The standard VAT rate in Germany is 19% and applies to most goods and services. The reduced rate is 7% and applies to some foodstuffs; books, cultural services, hotel accommodation, medical and dental care.

German zero-rated goods and services include intra-community and international transport. The sale of items in this category must still be reported on your VAT return, even though no VAT is charged.

What is a VAT rate?

VAT (value added tax) is a type of consumption tax. The German government applies it on the sale of goods and services.

VAT isn’t paid by businesses — instead, it’s charged to consumers in the price of goods, and collected by businesses, making it an indirect tax. Businesses are then responsible for reporting it to the government.

How to work out VAT in Germany.

Total price including VAT

To work out the total price at the standard rate of VAT (19%), multiply the original price by 1.19. For the reduced VAT rate (7%), multiply the original price by 1.07.

Total price excluding VAT

You can calculate the total price excluding the standard VAT rate (19%) by dividing the original price by 1.19. For the reduced VAT rate (7%), divide the original price by 1.07.

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Belgium	India	Norway
Canada	Ireland	Spain
China	Italy	Sweden
United Kingdom

VAT for businesses.

If you’re running a business, there are a few things you should know about VAT.

How does VAT work?

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How does VAT work?

VAT is collected at each point in the production of goods — every time value is added and a sale is made. This is what gives VAT its name — value-added tax. It’s designed to be paid by the consumer at the end. Here’s an example:

A supplier sells a badminton racket to a shop for €120. They owe €20 VAT to the government.
The shop pays €120 but can claim the €20 back from the government, so the shop doesn’t pay the VAT.
The shop sells the racket to the customer for €220. The VAT is €44 which the customer, as the end-user, pays in full to the shop.
Together with the reclaimable €20 VAT, the shop will end up paying €24 to the government.

Tax-free shopping - VAT for travellers.

So, you’ve done some shopping abroad, and paid a healthy amount of money for VAT. The good thing is you can often get the amount refunded once you’ve returned home.

For example, European Union residents can get a VAT refund on goods bought in Singapore from a retailer that offers tax-free shopping.

The conditions for a VAT refund are different in every country and should be checked according to your destination — there’s usually a minimum purchase amount, and some exceptions to be considered.

If you’re planning on visiting any of these countries, have a look at their rules for tax-free shopping. And if you’d like to save even more money, don’t miss out on the Wise travel money card, and spend in shops or online at the real exchange rate.

VAT Refund.

When you’ve visited Germany, you’ll be able to get a VAT refund on items bought if:

You live outside the EU and are going back home.
You’re an EU resident and are leaving the EU for 12 months or more.
You’ve spent a minimum of 25€ (30€ for books) in any tax-free store the same day.

There are multiple ways of receiving the refund — either get paid immediately at a refund booth at the airport or send the approved form to a refund company.

How to get a VAT refund in 3 simple steps?

Application form

Get a Tax Refund Application Form from the retailer. You might also be asked to show your passport to check that you’re eligible.

Customs check

At customs, present your passport, VAT form(s), VAT invoice(s) and the tax-free goods.

Refund approved

If all the criteria is met, customs will approve your form. You’ll get a signed form that allows you to receive the refund.

VAT Rate in Germany

How much is VAT in Germany?

What is a VAT rate?

How to work out VAT in Germany.

Total price including VAT

Total price excluding VAT

What are the VAT rates in other countries?

VAT for businesses.

Wise is the cheaper way to send money abroad.

How does VAT work?

Tax-free shopping - VAT for travellers.

VAT Refund.

How to get a VAT refund in 3 simple steps?

Application form

Customs check

Refund approved

FAQ about VAT rate.

How do I comply with VAT in Germany?

What are my VAT responsibilities?

What is exempt from VAT?

The difference between ’Zero-Rate’ and ‘VAT exempt’ in Germany?

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