VAT on Gold in Germany
Investment gold bars and coins are sold free of VAT. Gold jewellery carries the standard 19% VAT on the full price, including the metal. Today 10 grams of 24K gold cost €1,116 at the world price, with no tax on investment bars and coins.
Rules checked 26 October 2026 · Prices Oct 30, 2026, 21:55 UTC · Not tax advice
Gold in Germany today, with tax
EUR · Oct 30, 2026, 21:55 UTC| Weight | World price, 24K gold | Bar or coin, with tax and duty | 18K jewellery metal, with tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 gram | €111.63 | €111.63 | €99.63 |
| 10 grams | €1,116 | €1,116 | €996.26 |
| 1 ounce | €3,472 | €3,472 | €3,099 |
| 100 grams | €11,163 | €11,163 | €9,963 |
| 250 grams | €27,906 | €27,906 | €24,906 |
The rules in Germany
| What you buy | Tax | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Bars and bullion coins | 0% | Investment gold bars and coins are sold free of VAT. Bars or wafers of at least 995/1000 fine in weights accepted by bullion markets; coins of at least 900/1000 fine, minted after 1800, legal tender (now or formerly) in the country of origin, and normally sold for no more than 180% of their gold value. The European Commission publishes a yearly list of qualifying coins. |
| Jewellery | 19% | Gold jewellery carries the standard 19% VAT on the full price, including the metal. Charged on: full value. |
| Import duty | 0% | No import duty is built into local prices. Gold trades freely in the EU single market and unwrought gold enters the EU duty-free. |
| Tourist refund | Yes | Non-EU residents can reclaim the 19% VAT on jewellery when they export it in their luggage within three months after the month of purchase; minimum €50.01 per receipt since 2020. VAT is 16% of the price; after operator fees the net refund is typically about 10-14.5%. Investment gold is sold without VAT, so there is nothing to reclaim. |
Compared with nearby countries
| Country | Bars and coins | Jewellery | Import duty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | 0% | 19% | none |
| UK | 0% | 20% | none |
| Ireland | 0% | 23% | none |
| France | 0% | 20% | none |
| Italy | 0% | 22% | none |
| Netherlands | 0% | 21% | none |
| Poland | 0% | 23% | none |
| Switzerland | 0% | 8.1% | none |
| Turkey | 0% | 0% on the gold | none |
VAT on Gold in Germany: FAQ
Is there VAT on gold in Germany?
Investment gold bars and coins are sold free of VAT. Gold jewellery carries the standard 19% VAT on the full price, including the metal.
Do you pay VAT on gold bars and coins in Germany?
Investment gold bars and coins are sold free of VAT. Bars or wafers of at least 995/1000 fine in weights accepted by bullion markets; coins of at least 900/1000 fine, minted after 1800, legal tender (now or formerly) in the country of origin, and normally sold for no more than 180% of their gold value. The European Commission publishes a yearly list of qualifying coins.
Is there import duty on gold in Germany?
No import duty is built into local prices. Gold trades freely in the EU single market and unwrought gold enters the EU duty-free.
Can tourists claim back the VAT on gold in Germany?
Yes. Non-EU residents can reclaim the 19% VAT on jewellery when they export it in their luggage within three months after the month of purchase; minimum €50.01 per receipt since 2020. VAT is 16% of the price; after operator fees the net refund is typically about 10-14.5%. Investment gold is sold without VAT, so there is nothing to reclaim.
Sources (3)
- EU VAT Directive 2006/112/EC, arts 344-356 (investment gold) (2006-11-28 (consolidated))
- Mighty Travels: EU VAT refund 2026 minimums (France, Germany, Italy) (2026-10-12)
- gold.de: taxes on precious metals in Germany (accessed 2026-10-26)
Related
General information on the tax a private buyer pays, checked 26 October 2026. Rules change; check with the seller, the tax authority or an adviser. Not tax advice.