Germany to Mandate Digital Receipts for Most Purchases Starting 2028

Germany's federal cabinet has adopted a finance ministry draft that will make digital receipts the norm for most retail transactions beginning in 2028. Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said the change will reduce paperwork for both citizens and firms and help curb tax fraud linked to open cash registers. Under the plan, businesses exceeding a defined annual turnover must switch to electronic point-of-sale systems, whereas those with minimal cash sales will not be obliged to do so.

The legislation also foresees possible exemptions for trust registers on self-harvest fields and direct marketing by farms. The government argues the measure will tighten oversight and make tax evasion harder to conceal.