Applying for a VAT refund as an embassy, consulate or its member

As an embassy, consulate or member of an embassy or consulate, you can have your VAT refunded in Germany under certain conditions.

In Germany, there is a procedure for the refund of VAT for

• embassies, i.e. foreign permanent diplomatic missions, and their foreign members not permanently resident in Germany
• Consulates, i.e. professional consular missions, and their foreign members not permanently resident in Germany

If you purchase goods and services from German companies as an embassy, consulate or one of their members, you will pay VAT on them. This can be refunded to you on application by the Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt). Direct VAT exemption is not possible.
The maximum refund per calendar year and member is EUR 1,200.00. The purchase of a motor vehicle does not count towards the maximum amount.

• Original invoices
• Proof of payment of invoices, for example bank statements

Forms: yes

Online procedure possible: no

Written form required: yes

Personal appearance required: no

• can submit an application for a VAT refund:
  • Embassies and consulates of countries with which corresponding reciprocity agreements exist, and
  • foreign members of these embassies and consulates who are not permanently resident in Germany
• supplies and other services are intended and suitable for the official use of the embassy or consulate or for the personal use of the member
• the invoice including VAT amounts to more than EUR 100.00
• for the purchase of a motor vehicle: at least 2 years of use in Germany
• reimbursement for the purchase of food and tobacco products is excluded
• the reimbursement period must be at least one calendar quarter

• Supplement
  Detailed information on how to apply for the supplement can be found in the notification of your application.

Submit the application by post:

• Download the prescribed form from the website of the Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt):
  • "Application for VAT refund for diplomatic missions/professional consular posts (010160)" or
  • "Application for VAT refund for members of diplomatic missions/professional consular posts (010161)"
• Send your application together with all original invoices and proof of payment to the Federal Foreign Office, Protocol/Division 703.
• The Federal Foreign Office will check whether you are entitled to participate in the procedure and forward your application to the Federal Central Tax Office.
• The BZSt is the competent authority. It will check your application.
• You will receive a decision on the amount of the refund. The original invoices and proof of payment will be returned to you together with the decision.
• The BZSt will transfer the amount to be refunded to the account you specified in your application.

The application must be submitted by December 31 of the year following the turnover.
Example: You received a purchased good or service in August 2018. You must submit the application for reimbursement by 31.12.2019 at the latest.

usually 3 to 6 months

There are no costs for you.