Germany MwSt Calculator
Add or remove German VAT (Mehrwertsteuer) at standard 19% or reduced 7% rate. Works for invoices, receipts, and cross-border EU sales.
Mehrwertsteuer
MwSt @ 19%
Brutto (incl. MwSt)
€1,190
Netto (ohne MwSt)
€1,000
MwSt (19%)
€190
Brutto (mit MwSt)
€1,190
Mehrwertsteuer (MwSt) / Umsatzsteuer (USt)
Germany uses two rates: 19% standard (most goods & services) and 7% reduced (food groceries, books, newspapers, public transport, museums, theatre, concerts, hotels). Restaurant meals bounced back to 19% in January 2024 after temporary COVID-era relief. Solar panels on private homes are zero-rated since 2023.
Kleinunternehmer — skip VAT entirely
If your prior-year turnover was under €25,000 and expected current-year turnover is under €100,000 (2025 onward thresholds), you may elect Kleinunternehmer status under §19 UStG and charge no VAT at all. Trade-off: you also can't reclaim input VAT — so this mainly benefits service providers with low purchases.
Filing cadence & ELSTER
Returns are filed electronically via ELSTER. Monthly filing in year 1-2 of a new business; quarterly if prior-year VAT liability < €9,000; annually if < €2,000. Always due by the 10th of the month after the period. Request Dauerfristverlängerung for a full extra month in exchange for a 1/11 security deposit.
Cross-border rules
Intra-EU B2B: reverse charge — zero-rate your invoice with the buyer's USt-ID and let them self-account. Intra-EU B2C: One-Stop Shop (OSS) since 2021 lets you remit all EU VATs through one German filing. Non-EU exports: always zero-rated with customs documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know, in one place.
What are the German VAT rates?
Standard 19% on most goods & services. Reduced 7% on food (groceries), books, newspapers, public transport, museum/theatre/concert tickets, hotels (restaurant meals moved back to 19% in Jan 2024). Zero-rated on solar panels for private homes (since 2023).
When must I register for VAT?
Kleinunternehmer threshold (2026): under €25,000 prior-year turnover AND under €100,000 expected current-year — you can skip VAT entirely. Above either: register and charge MwSt. Cross-border EU B2C sellers face the €10,000 EU-wide OSS threshold on top.
How often do I file VAT returns?
Monthly in year 1-2 of business. Quarterly if prior-year VAT due was under €9,000. Annually if under €2,000. Due by the 10th of the following month via ELSTER. Dauerfristverlängerung gives you an extra month in exchange for a 1/11 security deposit.
VAT on cross-border?
B2B within EU: reverse charge applies — zero-rate with buyer's USt-ID. B2C within EU: OSS (One-Stop Shop) rules since 2021. Exports to non-EU: always zero-rated with customs export document. Intra-EU distance selling below €10k can apply German 19% until threshold crossed.
How do I calculate MwSt from an inclusive price?
19% rate: net = gross ÷ 1.19, MwSt = gross × 19/119. Example: €119 inclusive = €100 net + €19 MwSt. 7% rate: net = gross ÷ 1.07 (€107 = €100 + €7). Never subtract the rate — €119 minus 19% is €96.39, incorrect. For invoices above €250, you must show separately: net, rate, VAT amount, and total. Below €250, simplified invoices (gross + rate note) are acceptable but harder for business customers to claim input tax.
Can I recover input VAT (Vorsteuer)?
Yes if you are MwSt-registered and not a Kleinunternehmer. Vorsteuerabzug allows you to deduct VAT paid on business purchases against the VAT you charge. File via ELSTER together with your Umsatzsteuervoranmeldung (monthly/quarterly). Non-deductible: entertainment (only 70% deductible), gifts above €35 per recipient per year, private-use portions of mixed-use items. Keep invoices 10 years (8 in some cases). Reverse-charge purchases from EU B2B suppliers also require you to self-account for VAT.
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