VAT rates in Germany
| Rate | Type | Used for, among others |
|---|---|---|
| 19% | Standard | Most goods and services |
| 7% | Reduced | most food, books, newspapers and, since 2026, restaurant meals |
Rates as of October 1, 2026. Zero rates and exemptions are not listed. Which rate applies depends on the exact product, so check with the tax authority of Germany before you invoice.
Recent change: Since January 1, 2026, meals in restaurants are taxed at 7% instead of 19%. Drinks stay at 19%.
The standard rate of 19% is the 26th highest of the 30 European countries on this site, shared with 1 other. See the rates of every country to compare.
VAT on common amounts in Germany
Net amounts in EUR with the VAT and the gross total at 19%, and the gross total at the reduced rate of 7%.
| Net | VAT 19% | Gross 19% | Gross 7% |
|---|---|---|---|
| €10.00 | €1.90 | €11.90 | €10.70 |
| €20.00 | €3.80 | €23.80 | €21.40 |
| €50.00 | €9.50 | €59.50 | €53.50 |
| €100.00 | €19.00 | €119.00 | €107.00 |
| €250.00 | €47.50 | €297.50 | €267.50 |
| €500.00 | €95.00 | €595.00 | €535.00 |
| €1,000.00 | €190.00 | €1,190.00 | €1,070.00 |
| €5,000.00 | €950.00 | €5,950.00 | €5,350.00 |
Taking VAT out of a price in Germany
Divide the gross price by 1 plus the rate. A price of €119.00 including 19% VAT is €119.00 ÷ 1.19 = €100.00 net, so the VAT is €19.00. Taking 19% off €119.00 would give €96.39, which is too low, because the VAT was charged on the net price.
Germany compared with its neighbors
| Country | Standard | Reduced |
|---|---|---|
| Denmark | 25% | none |
| Poland | 23% | 8%, 5% |
| Czech Republic | 21% | 12% |
| Austria | 20% | 13%, 10%, 4.9% |
| Switzerland | 8.1% | 3.8%, 2.6% |
| France | 20% | 10%, 5.5%, 2.1% |
| Luxembourg | 17% | 14%, 8%, 3% |
| Belgium | 21% | 12%, 6% |
| Netherlands | 21% | 9% |
| Germany | 19% | 7% |
Buying from abroad? The currency converter turns a EUR price into your currency. In the US, sales tax works differently, and the sales tax calculator has every state rate.
Frequently asked questions
What is the VAT rate in Germany?
The standard VAT rate is 19%. Reduced rates of 7% apply to certain goods and services. These are the rates as of October 1, 2026.
How do I remove 19% VAT from a price?
Divide the gross price by 1.19. For example, €119.00 including VAT is €100.00 before VAT, so the VAT is €19.00.
What is VAT called in Germany?
In Germany, VAT is called Umsatzsteuer, usually called Mehrwertsteuer (MwSt). On invoices it appears with the rate next to it, for example "19%", and the net amount, the tax and the gross total are listed separately.