Germany’s new electric vehicle (EV) subsidy (E-Auto-Förderung) portal opened for applications on May 19, 2026. You can now apply for a purchase subsidy of between €1,500 and €6,000 per vehicle. The subsidy applies retroactively to all EVs first registered in Germany from January 1, 2026 onwards.
Who is eligible for the EV subsidy?
- The subsidy is available to private households.
- Your taxable annual household income must be €80,000 or less. The threshold rises by €5,000 per child up to a maximum of €90,000 for households with two or more children.
- You must be purchasing or leasing a new electric vehicle for the first time. Used EVs are not covered.
Eligible vehicle types include:
- Fully battery-electric vehicles (BEV) — reine Batterieelektrofahrzeuge
- Battery-electric vehicles with a range extender
- Plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV) — Plug-in-Hybridfahrzeuge
All vehicles must be M1 class (standard passenger cars) and registered for the first time in Germany on or after January 1, 2026.
How much EV subsidy can you get?
The exact subsidy amount depends on your household income and the type and price of the vehicle. The range is €1,500 to €6,000 per vehicle.
Lower-income households and fully battery-electric vehicles receive higher support within that range.
Germany has allocated approximately €3 billion for the program. The budget is expected to cover around 800,000 vehicles through to 2029.
How to apply for the EV subsidy
Applications are entirely digital. You apply through BAFA’s subsidy portal at foerderzentrale.gov.de.
The portal opened on May 19, 2026. If you bought an EV between January 1 and May 18, 2026, you can still apply. The subsidy is retroactive to the start of 2026.
You must submit your
- vehicle registration document (Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I),
- income documentation, and
- Details of your purchase or lease agreement.
NOTE: The subsidy budget is capped. Once the approximately €3 billion is committed to approved applications, no further applications can be approved. Apply early if you are eligible.
Official links for more information
- Apply at foerderzentrale.gov.de through BAFA.
- For full details on eligible vehicles and required documents, see the FAQ from the Federal Environment Ministry (Bundesumweltministerium): Fragen und Antworten zur E-Auto-Förderung.
