Shopping in Germany
In Germany, shops offer a wide variety of goods to suit every taste – from fresh and home-produced food at weekly markets through to affordable furniture and luxury products “Made in Germany”. It is important to know when shops are open and which payment options are available. In this context you will find information on when shops open and what to watch out for when paying.
Opening hours
In Germany most shops are open from Monday to Saturday, although the exact opening hours can vary by city and type of shop. As a rule, the opening hours are as follows:
- Monday to Friday: 9:00 – 20:00 (supermarkets and chemists often close as late as 21:00)
- Saturday: 9:00 – 18:00
- Sunday: shops are as a rule closed, except on a few shopping Sundays in the year or in tourist areas.
There are, however, also exceptions, such as shops in railway stations, airports or petrol stations, which are often open on Sundays and public holidays as well.
It should be noted, however, that opening hours can differ by federal state. In some federal states there are also restrictions on Sundays and public holidays, when only certain shops may be open. It is therefore advisable to check the exact opening hours of the shop you want in advance.
Paying
In German shops there are various ways to pay. The most common payment methods are:
- Cash: cash is still a widespread payment method in Germany. You can pay in cash in most shops, restaurants and supermarkets.
- EC card: the EC card (also called Girocard) is a debit card linked to a German bank account. It can be used as a payment method in almost all shops.
- Credit card: credit cards such as Visa or Mastercard are also accepted in Germany, particularly in larger shops or for online purchases.
- Contactless payment: with an EC card or credit card you can also pay contactlessly by simply holding the card against a reader.
- Mobile payment: there are also various mobile payment options, such as Apple Pay or Google Pay, which are becoming ever more popular in Germany. Here the smartphone is used as the means of payment.
It is important to note that, depending on the shop, there may be restrictions on which payment methods are accepted. There may also be fees for certain payment methods, particularly for credit-card payments. It is therefore advisable to check before shopping which payment methods are accepted and whether there are any fees.
Value added tax
Value added tax is a tax levied on the sale of goods and services. It is also known as Umsatzsteuer. In Germany the current VAT rate is 19%; there is, however, also a reduced rate of 7% for certain products such as food, books or public transport. VAT is as a rule collected by the seller and remitted to the state. Consumers who buy goods or services must pay the VAT, which is already included in the price. Businesses can offset the VAT they have paid against their own sales and thus reduce their own tax liabilities.
Bargaining
In Germany it is as a rule not customary to negotiate the price of goods and services in shops or restaurants. Most prices are fixed and not negotiable. There are, however, exceptions, particularly at flea markets or for larger purchases such as cars or property, where negotiation is usual. In such cases you can try to lower the price through negotiation, but it is important to remain polite and respectful.
Consumer protection
Consumer protection refers to the rights of consumers in relation to goods and services that they buy or use. Consumer protection is intended to ensure that consumers are protected against fraudulent or unethical business practices and that they receive fair terms and prices. In Germany there is a wide range of laws and institutions that regulate and enforce consumer protection, such as the Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (Civil Code, BGB) or the Verbraucherzentralen (consumer advice centres). Consumers have the right to receive information about the products and services they buy, and the right to complain about unfair or misleading practices.