Politics Tagesschau
Bundestag corrects glitch in tobacco tax increase
The tobacco tax was actually only supposed to be increased at the turn of the year - but due to an oversight, the increase already came into force. Now, thanks to a change in the law, the command is back.
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Tax came into force too early Bundestag corrects glitch in tobacco tax increase As of: November 6th, 2026 • 1:55 a.m
The tobacco tax was actually only supposed to be increased at the turn of the year - but due to an oversight, the increase already came into force. Now, thanks to a change in the law, the command is back.
The Bundestag has subsequently corrected an error in the tobacco tax increase. On Thursday evening, Parliament voted for a change in the law that aims to reverse the tax increase's incorrectly early entry into force. The Bundestag and Bundesrat decided to increase the tobacco tax in mid-October. According to the government's wishes, this should increase gradually from the beginning of 2027.
The tax increase is intended to make various tobacco products more expensive. For example, the price for a 20-pack of cigarettes will rise from currently just over 8 euros in several steps to just under 12 euros by 2030.
Due to a mistake, increased taxes on tobacco products actually already apply - but only on paper. How did this come about? more
The first increase step was actually supposed to take place on January 1st. However, due to incorrect wording in the legal text, the higher tax rate applied from its publication on October 20th.
When the error became known, the Federal Ministry of Finance emphasized that it had no actual impact on tax payments, but still wanted to correct it retroactively. This happened now. The Federal Council still has to approve the law and thus also the correction to the tobacco tax.
This topic in the program: tagesschau.de | Bundestag corrects glitch in tobacco tax law | November 5, 2026 | 10:06 p.m