What is the Umsatzsteuer or Mehrwertsteuer

Most products and services sold in Germany have a 19% value-added-tax (VAT).1 Some products and services have a reduced VAT of 7%.

In German, value-added tax (VAT) is called Umsatzsteuer (USt.) or Mehrwertsteuer (MwSt.).

VAT is almost always included in the price. It’s not added at checkout.

How VAT works in Germany

Sources and footnotes
  1. §12 UStG