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Guide · Electric cars

German EV subsidy 2026: does it apply to EU new cars?

Since 2026, the German government subsidises private households that buy or lease a new electric car or an efficient plug-in hybrid. Where you buy the car does not matter. What matters is that it was never registered before. This is a short English summary; the full guide is available in German.

As of October 10, 2026 · Based on the funding guideline of 19 May 2026 and the BAFA requirements and FAQ. All information is a non-binding assessment; only BAFA decides on the subsidy.

How much subsidy might you get?

Three questions, one expected amount based on the table in the funding guideline. The calculation runs only in your browser; your answers are neither stored nor transmitted.

1. Which powertrain?
2. Taxable income of your household

This is not your gross salary

What counts is the taxable income (zu versteuerndes Einkommen) from your tax assessment. It is usually well below gross pay.

How it is calculated

For each person, the average of the last two tax assessments is used. If you live with a spouse or partner, both amounts are added up. This also applies to unmarried couples sharing a main residence, unless you declare that you keep your finances permanently separate.

3. How many children?

Children count if you are entitled to child benefit for them and they are under 18 when the car is first registered.

Your estimate

Choose your income band to see your expected amount here.

The country of purchase does not matter

The funding guideline states explicitly that it does not matter in which EU member state the car was bought. An EU new car from Belgium, Spain or Poland can therefore be subsidised just like a car from a local dealer.

The real hurdle is a different one: the car must be first registered in Germany as a new vehicle and must not have been registered before, neither in Germany nor abroad. For an imported car, ask the seller to confirm this.

Where the car was produced currently does not matter. According to the BAFA FAQ, adding EU preference rules to the programme at a later date is under review. BAFA intends to publish information before any such rule takes effect.

Sources (German)

As of October 10, 2026. We review this information regularly; the programme can change at any time. Only the guideline and the BAFA decision are binding.

Looking for an electric car?

Check the offer type in the listing: only new cars that have never been registered can qualify, not pre-registered cars.

View new electric cars