Market guide · Europe
Selling in Germany
German shoppers are cautious with credit cards and favour PayPal, invoice payment and direct debit. Clear pricing, data protection and reliable returns build trust.
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
|---|---|
| Languages | German |
| Region | Europe |
| Local acquiring | Available |
| Settlement | T+1 |
| Payout rail | SEPA Instant · Seconds, 24/7 |
| Import consumption tax | VAT (MwSt.) · 19% |
Popular payment methods
Share of online payments by method. Illustrative figures.
| PayPal | 30% (30% of online payments) |
|---|---|
| Visa, Mastercard, Amex | 22% (22% of online payments) |
| Klarna | 18% (18% of online payments) |
| SEPA Direct Debit | 12% (12% of online payments) |
| Apple Pay | 6% (6% of online payments) |
How to launch in Germany
- 1Open a sandbox accountTest every flow for Germany with test cards and methods before you sign anything.
- 2Turn on local methodsStart with PayPal, Klarna, SEPA Direct Debit, Apple Pay.
- 3Process domesticallyDomestic processing in Germany avoids cross-border fees and lifts approval rates.
- 4Settle in EURHold EUR and convert when you choose, or pay out locally.
- 5Show duty-inclusive pricesQuote VAT (MwSt.) and duties at checkout so nothing is due on delivery.
- 6Go liveVerify your business, switch your keys and watch the first orders arrive.
Duties and import tax
VAT (MwSt.) at 19% applies to most imported goods.
Thresholds: VAT due from the first euro; IOSS for goods up to EUR 150
Estimate landed cost for an orderRegulatory notes
- Strong customer authentication under the EU's revised Payment Services Directive applies to card and wallet payments.
- Distance-selling rules give consumers a statutory withdrawal period, so returns handling needs to be built in.
- Data protection authorities enforce the GDPR closely, including on checkout tracking and consent.
Placeholder notes for the prototype, not legal advice.
Customer story nearby
Northwind Outfitters
Retail & Ecommerce
+3.4 pts
card acceptance in Germany · Illustrative
We stopped guessing which fees would land on an order. Duty-inclusive prices took returns down with them.
Mara Lindqvist, Head of Ecommerce Read the story: Northwind Outfitters
Other markets in Europe
Launch in Germany
Try the Germany flow in the sandbox, or talk to us about your rollout.