How does the German Pfand system work
Pfand is Germany's refundable bottle deposit — 25 cents for most plastic and cans, 8–15 cents for glass. Here is how to return them and get your money back.
Pfand is Germany's bottle and can deposit system. You pay a small deposit on top of the drink price when you buy, and you get it back when you return the empty container. It is one of the first everyday systems every newcomer meets, and it is simple once you know the rules.
How much deposit you pay
| Container | Deposit | How to return it |
|---|---|---|
| Reusable plastic bottle (Mehrweg) | €0.25 | Pfandautomat or over the counter |
| Single-use plastic / can (Einweg) | €0.25 | Pfandautomat at any shop that sells it |
| Reusable glass bottle (beer, water) | €0.08 – €0.15 | Over the counter or Pfandautomat |
| Wine and juice glass bottles | €0.00 – €0.15 | Over the counter at some shops |
How to return bottles and get your refund
- Find the Pfandautomat (reverse vending machine), usually near the supermarket entrance.
- Feed bottles and cans upright, one at a time, barcode first.
- Press the button when finished to print a Pfandbon (voucher).
- Hand the voucher to the cashier at checkout — the amount is deducted from your shop or paid in cash.
Which containers qualify
A container only carries Pfand if it has the right symbol: a circular arrow with "Pfand" or "Einwegpfand" for single-use, or "Mehrweg" for reusable. Bottles without the symbol — most wine, spirits and some juice — go into the glass recycling containers instead. For the full breakdown of bins and Sunday shop closures, see our guide to German supermarkets and the recycling system.
Rules that trip up newcomers
- Return single-use containers to any shop that sells the same type — it does not have to be the shop you bought them from.
- Reusable bottles are best returned to the same brand or shop, since the deposit is set by the brewer.
- Rinse bottles first; heavily crushed or barcode-damaged containers may be rejected by the machine.
- Do not leave bottles next to the bin — the Pfand belongs to you, and collectors rely on unreturned deposits.
Why Germany runs Pfand
The system keeps billions of bottles in circulation and out of landfill. The deposit is high enough that over 90 percent of single-use containers are returned, which is why German streets and bins are noticeably free of drink bottles. Once daily life is sorted, the Deutschland Ticket on regional trains is the next money-saver most expats pick up.