Germany is considering a major tax reform that would increase the standard VAT rate to 21–22% while lowering reduced rates and introducing a 0% rate on essential goods to offset the impact on households.
Germany Considers VAT Increase
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Germany
Author: Ivana Picajkić
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General information
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Content accuracy validation date:
09.04.2026
Content accuracy validation time:
08:31h
Germany is currently debating a major tax reform that could shift the burden from income to consumption. The proposed changes, discussed by the CDU/CSU-SPD coalition, include increasing the standard VAT rate from 19% to between 21% and 22%.
To balance the impact on households, policymakers are also considering reducing the lower VAT rate from 7% to 4%, as well as introducing a 0% VAT rate on essential groceries. These measures are intended to offset the regressive nature of VAT, which tends to affect lower-income households more heavily.
The proposal comes at a sensitive time, as inflation and rising living costs continue to pressure consumers. If implemented, the reform would bring Germany’s VAT rate closer to the EU average and mark one of the most significant tax policy shifts in recent years.
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