- Choose your direction: add 19% to a net amount, or extract the tax from a gross one.
- Germany's standard rate is loaded for you; switch to custom for the 7% reduced band.
- The three figures — net, VAT, gross — appear as soon as you calculate.
- Nothing is uploaded; the sum is worked out locally in your browser.
- Restaurant food sits at 7% again since January 2026, while drinks stayed at 19% — split bills accordingly.
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VAT Calculator Germany (19%)
German Mehrwertsteuer done instantly — push a net price up by 19%, or pull VAT back out of a gross figure to split the two apart.
How the German VAT calculator works
German VAT rates (Mehrwertsteuer)
Germany charges 19% on almost everything, with a single 7% reduced band. From 1 January 2026 food in restaurants returned to the 7% band as well — though drinks served alongside stay at 19%, a split that catches many diners out.
| Rate | Band | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| 19% | Standard rate | Most goods and services, including drinks in restaurants |
| 7% | Reduced rate | Food, books, magazines, flowers, hotel stays, and restaurant food since 1 January 2026 |
| 0% | Zero-rated | Exports and intra-EU supplies are zero-rated for German VAT purposes |
The Kleinunternehmerregelung: Germany’s small business rule
Businesses that stayed under €25,000 of turnover last year (and expect no more than €100,000 this year) can use the Kleinunternehmer rule: they charge no VAT and show none on their invoices — but they cannot reclaim input VAT either. Cross the limit during the year and registration becomes due immediately.
Registered businesses submit periodic Voranmeldungen (advance returns) monthly in their first year and usually quarterly afterwards, reconciled by one annual VAT return.
Related German tax tools: French VAT calculator, VAT rates across Europe, German salary calculator (brutto netto).
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Selling into the UK? Our UK VAT registration threshold guide explains when registration becomes compulsory for UK businesses.
Sources: European Commission. Rates last verified October 2026. Estimates only — see our editorial policy.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard VAT rate in Germany?
Germany's standard VAT rate (Mehrwertsteuer) is 19%. A reduced 7% rate applies to food, books, hotel stays and cultural services.
How do I remove 19% VAT from a gross price?
Divide the gross amount by 1.19. For example €119 ÷ 1.19 = €100 net, so €19 of VAT was included.
What is VAT called in Germany?
VAT is called Mehrwertsteuer (MwSt) or Umsatzsteuer (USt). It appears separately on every German invoice.
Is this Germany VAT calculator free?
It costs nothing and needs no registration. Standard 19% calculations load by default, with the 7% reduced band a custom-rate entry away.
What is charged at the 7% reduced rate in Germany?
Everyday essentials: groceries, books, magazines, flowers and passenger tickets, plus hotel stays. Since 1 January 2026 restaurant food also sits at 7% again, while drinks remain at 19%.
How does the Kleinunternehmerregelung work?
Under the rule, businesses with turnover of €25,000 or less charge no VAT and cannot reclaim it on purchases. Their invoices must state that VAT is not charged under §19 UStG.
How often does a German business file VAT returns?
Advance returns (Voranmeldungen) are due monthly in the first year of business and quarterly afterwards, followed by an annual VAT return that reconciles the totals.
Is VAT on German restaurant meals 7% or 19%?
Since 1 January 2026 the food on your bill is taxed at 7%, but drinks ordered with it stay at 19%. Takeaway food has long been at 7%.
Estimates are for guidance only and are based on published 2026 rates. Always confirm with a qualified professional for financial decisions.