Shopping in a retail store: Your consumer rights in Germany
Your rights when shopping in a retail store are different from those when shopping online.
Below you will find an overview regarding legal warranties, exchange and return policies of shops, sales and store hours in Germany and payment methods.
Legal warranty: 2 years from the date of purchase
If the goods are defective at the time of purchase, consumers are entitled to file a complaint and request either an exchange or repair. Under EU law, defective products can be claimed within two years from the date of purchase.
If a defect occurs within the first 12 months, it is presumed that the item was already defective at the time of purchase, unless the seller proves otherwise. After 12 months, the burden of proof shifts to the consumer.
It is important to note that the 12-month period is the EU's minimum standard, that applies in Germany. However, some EU countries, such as France, extend this period and allow a defect to be presumed for the full two-year warranty.
A word of advice
Always keep your receipts or other proof of purchase. If your are shopping at a market, take a photo of the stall and its address, or ask for the seller's contact details, especially for expensive items.
Good to know: Voluntary guarantees offered by local shops do not affect your legal rights.
Exchange & Return Policy in Germany
You do not have a legal right to return or exchange a product simply because you change your mind or because it doesn't fit. It is at the retailer's discretion whether or not to accept a return or exchange.
Many retailers offer returns within a certain period as a gesture of goodwill.
In all cases, a receipt or other proof of purchase will be required.
Pricing Information
The official currency in Germany is the Euro.
The price of the product must be clearly displayed on a price tag, which should be directly associated with the product, easily identifiable, and legible. The price tag does not necessarily need to be attached to the product itself.
The price displayed includes VAT.
You are not entitled to insist on buying the product at the price indicated on the price tag.
The retailer is required to provide you with a receipt, although you are not obligated to accept it.
VAT rates in Germany
In Germany, the reduced VAT rate is 7 % (e.g. for books), the standard VAT rate is 19 %.
Payment methods
The most common methods of payment in Germany are cash, credit cards and debit cards. When paying with a credit or debit card, you may be asked for identification.
While some restaurants and shops do not accept credit cards, debit cards - particularly the German Girocard - are widely accepted.
Please note: Some shops only accept cash.
Sales Periods
There are no legal regulations. Sales can take place at any time of the year in Germany. They usually start in the last week of January (“Winterschlussverkauf, WSV” / winter sales) and in the last week of July (“Sommerschlussverkauf, SSV” / summer sales) and last for about two weeks.
Opening Hours
Please note that these are general opening hours. Shop owners may decide to open their shops later or close them earlier.
Supermarkets
- Monday to Saturday: 07:00 to 20:00/22:00/24:00
- Sunday: Closed (a few Sunday openings are allowed each year depending on the federal state)
Shops
- Monday to Friday: 09:00 to 18:00/20:00
- Saturday: Some shops close earlier, e. g. 13.00/14:00/16:00
- Sunday: closed (a few sunday openings are allowed yearly depending on the federal state)
Banks’ general opening hours are:
- Monday to Friday: 09:00 to 16:00/18:00
- Saturday & Sunday: Closed
- Some banks are open on Saturday in the morning from 9:00 to 12:00/14:00.
Post Offices’ general opening hours are:
- Monday to Friday: 09:00 to 18:00
- Saturday: 9:00 to 13:00
- Sunday: Closed
Deposit
Reusable bottles do not have a standardised labelling. Often the word "Mehrweg" (= reusable) is indicated. The deposit varies from 8 to 15 cent.
Non-returable containers (e. g. cans, bottles, milk cartons) have a deposit logo. In most cases the so-called DPG-Logo is used. It shows a can and a bottle with an arrow and 2 triangles and 2 squares.
You can return the empty containers to a reverse vending machine at most supermarkets or stores.
A store can refuse to take back returnable bottles if it does not sell them itself. This is not permitted for non-returnable containers.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Innovation Council and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Executive Agency (EISMEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.