VAT Expert in Europe

Selling in Europe with Incoterm DDP. Eurofiscalis handle your VAT registration & declarations | I want to learn more

VAT Expert in Europe
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VAT Expert in Europe

Selling in Europe with Incoterm DDP. Eurofiscalis handle your VAT registration & declarations | I want to learn more

Selling in Europe with Incoterm DDP.

Eurofiscalis handle your VAT registration & declarations

I want to learn more

VAT germany
German VAT Handbook

German VAT: All you need to know about the Umsatzsteuer for your purchases and sales in Germany

The German VAT, called Umsatzsteuer or Mehrwertsteur, was created in January 1968 with a standard rate of 10% and a reduced VAT rate of 5%. It replaced the turnover tax created in 1920. Since 1968, the VAT rates in Germany have evolved to the rates we know today, which are 19% for the standard rate and 7% for the reduced rate.

Table of contents

German VAT rates and application

Evolution of VAT rates in Germany since 1968

1992 was a key year for value added tax in the European Union. After the ratification of the Maastricht Treaty in February 1992 and the European Union, a directive deals with taxation within the customs union. This European directive, published on October 18, 1992, and taken up in the 2006 directive, provides for arrangements on the VAT rates in force in the EU countries:

The German VAT rates at the time were 16% and 5% before being raised to the rates we know today of 19% for the standard rate and 7% for the reduced rate.

Need a tax agent for your EU obligations ?

Eurofiscalis takes care of your VAT registration in Germany and the filing of your periodic VAT returns in Germany.

German VAT rates applicable in 2023

If several VAT rates are applicable in France, there are only 2 VAT rates in Germany.

 

Goods and services subject to VAT in Germany can be taxed at :

Not all products are subject to VAT in Germany. Goods and services not subject to VAT in Germany are :

Here are some examples:

Category
Subject to the Umsatzsteuer
Applicable rate
Home care services
YES
19%
Foodservices
YES
19%
Clothing
YES
19%
Gasoline, gas, electricity
YES
19%
Pharmaceutical products
YES
19%
Alcoholic beverages, fruit juices, sodas and bottled water
YES
19%
Culture and leisure
YES
7%
The vast majority of food products
YES
7%
Jewelry and gold coins
YES
7%
Books and newspapers
YES
7%
Wood for industrial use
YES
7%
Installation of a kitchen by a German craftsman
NO
New car
NO
VAT rates germany

The German intra-Community VAT rules for your flows with Germany

Intra-Community VAT applies in all 27 Member States with common territoriality rules. The VAT Directive of 2006 aims to standardize taxation between all EU member states. In Germany, as in all other EU member states, the rules of intra-Community VAT apply to the exchange of goods and services between businesses (B2B) and between businesses and consumers (B2C). If you continue reading this guide you will discover all your tax and declaration obligations for your intra-Community flows with Germany.

Intra-Community sales and purchases with Germany in B2B

The general VAT regime for intra-Community B2B transactions is the reverse charge of VAT by the customer: sales of goods and services to companies located in another Member State are invoiced net of tax, and the buyer is responsible for the reverse charge of VAT in his country (articles 138 and 196 of the Directive 2006/112/EC).

Sales of goods and services to a taxable customer in Germany

This reverse charge system applies when a company sells goods or services to a German company from another Member State. You deliver goods from your warehouse in Marseille to a company in Berlin: this France-Germany shipment is an intra-Community supply (ICS) exempted in France. In this case, the value added tax is due in the country of delivery, i.e. Germany, and must be self-assessed by your customer.

 

If you are a French service provider and you supply your advice to a German company, the VAT is due in the country of establishment of your client: the service recipient must self-clear the VAT in his country of establishment, in our case Germany.

 

In both cases, intra-Community deliveries to Germany and services provided to a German company, you can issue an invoice without VAT. Your customer is responsible for paying the VAT in Germany. However, there are certain conditions that must be met in order to invoice without VAT:

Purchases of goods and services from a German supplier

Purchases of goods

 

The same VAT regime applies if you buy goods from a German company and the goods are delivered in your country. In this case, you make an intra-Community acquisition (ICA) which is taxable in your country (the country of delivery).

What are your tax and reporting obligations when purchasing goods in Germany?

Let’s take an example: you are a company established in France and you buy televisions in Germany. Your German supplier delivers the goods to you in France and sends you an invoice excluding VAT.

 

To receive an invoice without VAT, you must:

What are your tax and declaration obligations when purchasing a service from a German provider?

Let’s take an example: you are a company established in Spain purchasing a consulting service from a German service provider.

 

The so-called “non-localizable” services are subject to the reverse charge of VAT by the customer in the country where he is established. You must provide your Spanish VAT number to the service provider to receive a tax-free invoice and reverse charge the VAT on your local VAT return (equivalent to the CA3 in France: line E2).

Need to register for German VAT?

Eurofiscalis will take care of your VAT registration in Germany and file your periodic VAT returns in Germany.

VAT rules for e-commerce sales and marketplaces in Germany

A quick reminder: the reform of the “e-commerce VAT package” which came into force on July 1, 2021 has profoundly changed the VAT rules applicable to e-commerce.

The VAT rules applicable to e-commerce sales in Germany depend on two factors:

Explanation on the stock location: the stock location is important because if you store your goods in Germany, and you make a sale to a private person in Germany, you must :

This sale is considered as a local sale in Germany, as if you had a physical store in Germany.

Explanation on the distance selling threshold: if you sell to private persons in Germany from another stock (outside Germany) and you make, in the whole of the European Union, more than 10.000€ e-commerce sales you must :

To illustrate these rules we will take an example that we will develop further. Your Belgian company sells to German customers through its own website and/or marketplace (Amazon). You make less than 10.000€ of remote sales in the EU and you store the goods in your warehouse in Belgium.

 

You have 2 options:

Your Belgian company sells to German customers through its own website and/or marketplace (Amazon). You make more than 10.000€ of distance sales in the EU and you store the goods in your warehouse in Belgium.

 

You are obliged to apply the VAT of the country of your customers from the month you cross the 10.000€ threshold. You must :

Your Belgian company sells to German customers through its own website and/or marketplace (Amazon). You store the goods in Germany in a warehouse or a logistics service (Amazon FBA). In this case the distance selling threshold does not apply. Only the location of the goods defines your obligations.

 

Your obligations are :

When to register for German VAT?

If your company performs taxable operations in Germany, it is mandatory to register for VAT in Germany and to declare and pay the VAT on your taxable operations in Germany on the local return. This requirement applies to all companies operating in Germany, including those not established in Germany.

 

EU companies have the option of doing this themselves or with the help of a German tax representative (tax agent).

 

If your company is not established in Germany, but conducts business in Germany, it must comply with the rules for “non-established companies” for VAT purposes. If your foreign company carries out any of the following transactions, it is mandatory to register for VAT and obtain a local or German intra-community VAT number (list not exhaustive):

How do I get a German VAT number?

To be able to operate in Germany and comply with your tax obligations, you must identify for German VAT purposes by completing the registration form at the German tax office and providing the following documents

Once you have submitted these documents, you will receive a local DE VAT number (Steuernummer) which can be used to apply for a German Intracommunity VAT number if required. The German VAT number consists of 2 letters and 9 digits, and you can check its validity on a dedicated page.

 

In general, it takes 3 to 4 weeks to get a German VAT number. Make sure you provide all the required documents to avoid any delay or refusal of the German VAT registration application.

How often should I file German VAT returns?

It is important to file a German VAT return periodically to avoid penalties for failure to do so. This return must be filed electronically by the 10th of the month following the relevant period. The reporting frequency can be monthly or quarterly, and an annual return must also be filed by May 31 of the following year.

 

Failure to do so may result in penalties of up to 10% of the VAT due (+12% interest per year).

VAT declarations and VAT payment in Germany

VAT declarations in Germany follow three possible schedules: 

 

1. Monthly: Standard reporting (Umsatzsteuer-Voranmeldung – UStVA).

 

2. Quarterly: If VAT payable in the previous year was between €1,000 and €7,500. (Umsatzsteuer-Voranmeldung – UStVA).

 

3. Annually: If VAT liability was below €1,000 and the company regularly submits zero declarations. 

 

Umsatzsteuer-Voranmeldung 2025 declarations.  

The tax office determines the reporting frequency and informs taxpayers by mail. 

 

 

The deadline for submitting monthly and quarterly VAT returns in Germany is always the 10th day of the month following the accounting period. In the case of an annual rhythm, the company submits only one annual declaration (and not an annual + summary)

German VAT for local B2B sales by non-German companies

In Germany, the reverse charge system applies to local B2B sales by foreign companies not established in Germany.

 

Example: Your French company not registered for German VAT stores goods in Germany in a warehouse in Munich. You sell it to a company in Berlin. The goods are delivered from Munich to Berlin. This is a local sale, as the goods do not leave Germany.

 

If you sell goods that do not leave the national territory and your customer is also based in Germany, you will have to charge VAT and mention article 194 of the Directive 2006/112/EC. Your customer is responsible for self-assessing German VAT on his local VAT return.

Freistellung - exemption from the construction tax

If you run a construction business in Germany, you are subject to one of the most complex tax laws in Germany. Uncertainties often arise from the fact that the nature of the construction service performed can be interpreted in various ways. 

 

However, you also have certain rights, such as the right to exemption from the construction withholding tax (Bauabzugsteuer). To obtain it, you need to get the so-called Freistellung, which is a confirmation of exemption from the construction withholding tax. 
 
Importantly, if you hire subcontractors on a construction site in Germany – they should also obtain a Freistellung to benefit from their entitled exemption from the construction tax. 

Business developer at Eurofiscalis, my goal is to simplify and popularize VAT rules for e-traders and companies exporting internationally. I know how complex and tedious it can be, and I am convinced that my experience and knowledge can help companies understand and comply with the current tax regulations.

International Trade & e-commerce: Master your VAT with us.

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