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Berlin: VAT on Food, is it 19 Percent?

Posted by (California, USA) on

Guten Abend, Everyone:

This question is asked for Berlin, Potsdam, and Dresden. What is the VAT or "sales tax" when you sit down and buy food in a restaurant? Is it 19 percent?

I ask this because I know the hotels add 7% for VAT and also the 5% Berlin City tax, for a total of roughly 12%. I noticed one of the hotels indicated that VAT on food and beverage is 19%.

When I look at a menu in Germany and it shows the cost, let us say, of 20 Euros, would I plan that the final bill will show 20 Euros plus 19%. I know that the 20 Euros would NOT include my tip of roughly 5 to 10%, depending on quality of service.

Any input would be greatly appreciated. Danke.

Posted by
15022 posts

Hi,

You are referring to the Mehrwertsteuer (MWST), which is , as you say, 19%. If you eat and drink up , say 20 Euro, that's the amount you pay. No extra 19% is added on to that 20 Euro.

Note the receipt has at the bottom these words, "Betrag inkl. MWST." which is abbreviated to indicate, " Betrag inklusive Mehrwertsteuer." (Amount including MWST)

Posted by
21226 posts

Yes, don't worry about the tax, its included. Since your just a tourist, it means nothing. Maybe if you were a German businessman(woman), there could be some write-off you could claim, but otherwise, machts nichts.

Posted by
268 posts

Not that it matters to tourists, but the VAT is not always 19%; for basic food sold to go (and for books, local public transport, ...), it is 7%

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