German vapers face higher costs following a decision by the governing Union and SPD parliamentary groups to accelerate tobacco tax increases on e-cigarette liquids. Approved by the Bundestag Finance Committee, the measure raises excise duties on vaping liquids to 38 cents per milliliter starting in 2027, climbing to 44 cents by 2030.
Lawmakers tightened the tax schedule due to federal budget pressures, surpassing the Finance Ministry’s initial recommendation to cap the levy at 36 cents by 2030. The tax currently sits at 32 cents per milliliter, having already risen from 26 cents last year.
| Timeline | Initial Ministry Proposal | Approved Coalition Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Current (2026) | 32 cents / ml | 32 cents / ml |
| 2027 | 33 cents / ml | 38 cents / ml |
| 2030 | 36 cents / ml | 44 cents / ml |
Industry groups anticipate direct financial strain on consumers. Dustin Dahlmann from the Alliance for Tobacco-Free Enjoyment (BfTG) pointed out that tax increases alone will add €1.43 to a typical 10-milliliter bottle within four years.
“Currently, many such liquids cost €12. Including predictable cost increases for energy, wages, transport, and logistics, the price in 2030 is likely to be just under €15,” Dahlmann stated, adding that retailers will absorb none of this increase as profit margin.
Trade representatives warn that higher taxes will fuel illegal sales. Horst Winkler from the E-Cigarette Trade Association (VdeH) criticized the last-minute tax hikes, describing them as “an economic stimulus program for the black market.”
“While the legal specialized trade is burdened by ever-increasing taxes and extensive regulatory requirements, illegal providers can continue to sell their products at a fraction of regular prices,” Winkler said, warning that this disparity undermines youth protection.
According to the Debra study conducted by Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, an estimated 1.7 million people vape in Germany, creating a large consumer base vulnerable to price-driven illicit trade.
