Equities – rates, eligibility, availability of relief etc. – Germany

24.09.2026

Capital income tax

Standard tax rate: 

26.375%

Trading restriction:

Yes

The effective standard tax rate on dividends from German equities comprises a standard rate of 25% capital income tax (Kapitalertragsteuer; KESt) plus a solidarity surcharge (Solidaritätszuschlag; SolZ) of 5.5% of the standard rate.

Availability of relief

Eligible beneficial ownersRelief at SourceQuick RefundStandard Refund

Residents of Double Taxation Treaty countries

No

No

Yes

Residents of Germany

No

No

No

Dividends paid to a certified investment fund pursuant to § 1 of the German Investment Tax Act (Investmentsteuergesetz; InvStG)

No

No

Yes

Note: LuxCSD cannot consider a retroactive correction of the character of an income distribution. LuxCSD cannot make any correction regarding the taxability of tax-free payments based on KStG § 27 when changing to a taxable income payment based on EStG § 20,1 or vice versa. This is a matter between the issuer and its local tax office.

Relief at source

Relief at source is not available through LuxCSD.

Standard refund

A standard refund is available from the federal central tax office (“BZSt”) if the beneficial owner qualifies for the benefit of a reduced tax rate in accordance with a Double Taxation Treaty (DTT) between its country of residence and Germany.

A reclaim of capital income tax is available through LuxCSD.