Germany plans tobacco tax hike, cigarettes may cost €12 per pack by 2030

The German federal government has approved a draft law to raise the tobacco excise tax in four steps from 2027 through 2030. The increase is intended to boost public‑health protection and relieve the federal budget. Officials estimate that the average price of a pack of cigarettes could rise from the current €9.20 to around €12 or more by 2030.

The EU sets a minimum tax of 60 % of the weighted average price or at least €90 per 1,000 cigarettes, which each member state must respect. The proposal also extends taxation to e‑cigarette liquids and heated‑tobacco products, raising the liquid tax from €0.16 per ml in 2022 to €0.26 per ml from 2026. The law maintains the EU‑wide personal import limit of 800 cigarettes (40 packs) for EU citizens travelling to Germany, while non‑EU limits are lower. Smoking prevalence in Germany has been falling, with adult rates around 28 % and under‑7 % among 12‑17‑year‑olds.