CO2 Car Tax Germany 2026 — Emissions Surcharge
CO2 car tax Germany 2026: emissions surcharge added to KFZ Steuer from 2021. How gram-based CO2 charges affect your annual German vehicle tax.
Questions
How does CO2 affect car tax in Germany?
For vehicles registered from 2021 onwards, an additional CO2 surcharge is added to base KFZ tax. The charge is €2-4 per gram of CO2 per kilometer above the vehicle's threshold limit.
What is the CO2 surcharge rate in Germany?
The CO2 surcharge is approximately €2 per gram for petrol vehicles and €4 per gram for diesel vehicles, for every gram above the emissions threshold that varies by vehicle type.
Do older vehicles pay CO2 surcharges in Germany?
No, CO2 surcharges apply only to vehicles registered from 2021 onwards. Older vehicles registered before 2021 pay only the base engine-size tax.
Can I reduce CO2 tax by choosing a lower-emission vehicle?
Yes, choosing a vehicle with lower CO2 emissions directly reduces your annual CO2 surcharge. A vehicle at 95g/km pays significantly less than one at 180g/km.
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