The Complete PAngV Guide for Retailers 2026

Everything you need to know about Germany's Price Indication Regulation: Unit pricing, the 30-day rule, and how to avoid fines up to €25,000

Reading time: 12 minutes
Last updated: December 2025
For: Small retailers, international shop owners, expat entrepreneurs in Germany

Introduction: Why You Need to Read This

It's a regular Tuesday morning in Berlin. A small shop owner opens up at 7 AM, just like every day for the past 10 years. At 10:30, two people in formal attire walk in – inspectors from the Consumer Protection Agency.

Three weeks later, a letter arrives: €12,000 fine.

The reason? Handwritten price tags didn't meet the requirements of Germany's Price Indication Regulation (PAngV). No unit prices. No 30-day lowest price on sale items.

The shop owner had no idea these rules even existed.

You're not alone. An estimated 300,000 small retailers in Germany face the same problem: complex regulations, steep fines, and no time to study bureaucratic documents.

Especially for international entrepreneurs: If German isn't your first language, understanding these regulations is even harder. Legal German is notoriously difficult, and there's very little information available in English.

This guide explains everything you need to know – in plain English, with practical examples and actionable advice.

Table of Contents

1. What is PAngV?
2. The Three Core Requirements
3. Unit Pricing: How to Calculate €/kg and €/L
4. The 30-Day Rule for Discounts
5. Fines: What Happens If You Violate?
6. The 5 Most Common Mistakes
7. Checklist: Is Your Shop Compliant?
8. How PriceLabel Helps

What is PAngV?

Preisangabenverordnung (PAngV) – translated as "Price Indication Regulation" – is a German regulation that governs how retailers must display product prices. It's based on EU Directive 98/6/EC and was last comprehensively revised on May 28, 2022.

Key Information at a Glance

Why Does PAngV Exist?

The purpose is simple: Price transparency for consumers. Customers should be able to see at a glance:

• How much a product costs (selling price)
• How it compares to other products (unit price per kg/L)
• Whether a discount is actually a discount (30-day rule)

Who Must Comply with PAngV?

Everyone who sells goods to consumers:

✅ Specialty food shops and convenience stores
✅ Supermarkets and grocery stores
✅ Bakeries and butcher shops
✅ Pharmacies and drugstores
✅ Online shops based in Germany
✅ Markets and flea markets

Important note for Germany: Unlike France (exemption for shops under 400m²) or Belgium (under 150m²), Germany has no small business exemption. A 20m² corner shop must be just as compliant as a REWE supermarket.

This is tough for small shop owners – but that's the law, and it applies to everyone equally.

The Three Core Requirements

PAngV has three main requirements. Understand these, and you understand 90% of the regulation.

1. Selling Price (Gesamtpreis)

What is it?
The final price the customer pays – including VAT and all other taxes.

Requirements: - Must be clear, prominent, and legible - Must include the currency symbol (€) - Must be placed near the product - Must include all costs (you can't just write "+Pfand" without stating the deposit amount)

Correct example:

Coca-Cola 1.5L
€1.99 (incl. €0.25 deposit)

Incorrect example:

Cola 1.99 + Pfand

2. Unit Price (Grundpreis)

What is it?
The price per unit of measurement – typically per kilogram (€/kg) or per liter (€/L).

Why does it matter?
So consumers can compare products of different sizes.

The Big 2022 Change:
Before 2022, Germany allowed €/100g or €/100ml. Since May 28, 2022, only €/kg and €/L are permitted – this is one of the strictest regulations in Europe.

Correct example (Germany):

Nutella 450g
€4.49
Unit price: €9.98/kg

Incorrect example (Germany):

Nutella 450g
€4.49
Unit price: €2.25/100g  ← ILLEGAL since 2022!

Unit Price Formula:

Unit price = (Selling price ÷ Product weight) × 1000

Example: Nutella 450g, €4.49
Unit price = (4.49 ÷ 450) × 1000 = €9.98/kg

Note for international shop owners: The calculation might seem complicated, but don't worry – PriceLabel does it automatically for you!

3. The 30-Day Rule for Discounts

What is it?
When you advertise a discount or price reduction, you must show the lowest price from the past 30 days, not just any "original" price.

Why was this introduced?
To prevent fake discounts. Some sellers would raise prices before a "sale" to create the illusion of a bigger discount. The EU Omnibus Directive 2019/2161 put an end to this.

Effective date: May 28, 2022

Correct example:

SALE!
Now: €2.99
Lowest price in past 30 days: €3.49

Incorrect example:

DISCOUNT!
Now: €2.99
Was: €5.99  ← What price? When? Unprovable!

Exceptions to the 30-Day Rule:

Unit Pricing: How to Calculate €/kg and €/L

Unit pricing is where most mistakes happen. Here are the details:

When is Unit Pricing Required?

Products that need unit pricing: - All packaged food - Beverages - Cleaning products, detergents - Cosmetics and personal care products - Loose goods (fruits, vegetables, meat, cheese)

Products that DON'T need unit pricing: - Single-unit products (e.g., one apple sold individually) - Products under 50g or 50ml - Mixed packages (e.g., assorted candy pack) - Products where weight is irrelevant to purchase decision

Practical Calculation Examples

Example 1: Standard food item

Product: Pasta 500g
Selling price: €1.89

Unit price = (1.89 ÷ 500) × 1000 = €3.78/kg

Example 2: Beverage

Product: Orange juice 1.5L
Selling price: €2.49

Unit price = 2.49 ÷ 1.5 = €1.66/L

Example 3: Small package

Product: Spice 35g
Selling price: €2.99

Under 50g, so: Unit price is optional
If you want to show it: (2.99 ÷ 35) × 1000 = €85.43/kg

Example 4: Multi-pack

Product: 6-pack yogurt (6 × 125g = 750g)
Selling price: €3.59

Unit price = (3.59 ÷ 750) × 1000 = €4.79/kg

Common Unit Pricing Errors

The 30-Day Rule for Discounts

The "Fake Discount" Problem

Imagine this: - Days 1-20: Product costs €3.99 - Days 21-27: Price raised to €5.99 - Day 28: "MEGA SALE! Only €3.49! Was €5.99!"

The customer thinks they're saving €2.50. In reality, they're only saving €0.50.

The 30-day rule was created precisely to prevent this.

What Exactly Must Be Displayed?

For every price reduction, you must show:

1. The new price (large, prominent)
2. The lowest price from the past 30 days (before the reduction)
3. Optional: Savings amount (€ or %)

Correct Price Tag Format

┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
│                                     │
│  SPECIAL OFFER                      │
│                                     │
│  Milka Chocolate 100g               │
│                                     │
│  Now: €0.99                         │
│                                     │
│  Unit price: €9.90/kg               │
│                                     │
│  Lowest price in past 30 days: €1.29│
│                                     │
│  You save: 23%                      │
│                                     │
└─────────────────────────────────────┘

How to Calculate "Lowest Price in Past 30 Days"

Scenario: - November 1: €3.99 - November 8: €3.49 (weekend promotion) - November 10: €3.99 - November 15: €4.29 (price increase) - November 25: You want to run a sale

Question: What is the "lowest price in the past 30 days"?

Answer: €3.49 (from November 8)

The problem for small retailers: You need to keep price history records. With handwritten notes, this is nearly impossible.

Exceptions and Special Cases

1. New products (on shelf for less than 30 days)

If a product has only been sold for 15 days, use the lowest price from those 15 days.

2. Perishable goods

Products with short shelf life (baked goods, fresh meat, salads) can be treated more flexibly – varies by state.

3. Progressive/staggered discounts

If you're reducing prices gradually over several weeks: - Week 1: €10 → €9 - Week 2: €9 → €8 - Week 3: €8 → €7

In this case, you can use the price before the first reduction (€10) as your reference.

Fines: What Happens If You Violate?

Fine Ranges

Factors That Affect Fine Amount

Higher fines for: - Repeat violations - Intentional behavior - Large number of affected products - Long duration of violation - Higher business turnover

Lower fines for: - First-time violation (often just a warning) - Immediate correction - Demonstrated compliance efforts - Small business with low turnover

Real Cases from Germany

Case 1: Berlin Spätkauf (late-night convenience store) - Violation: 47 products without unit price - Fine: €8,500 - Duration: 6 months

Case 2: Hamburg Kiosk Chain - Violation: Systematic fake "crossed-out prices" without 30-day proof - Fine: €22,000 - Additional consequence: Public warning

Case 3: Munich Food Store - Violation: Using €/100g instead of €/kg (after 2022) - Fine: €3,500 (reduced due to quick correction)

Case 4: International Food Shop in Düsseldorf - Violation: Price tags only in foreign language, no German - Fine: €5,000

Important note for international shop owners: These fines are real and apply to everyone. "I didn't know" is not a valid defense. But don't worry – after reading this guide, you'll know exactly what to do!

The 5 Most Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: No Unit Price at All

Problem:
Many small shop owners don't know unit pricing is mandatory.

Solution:
Every product (except exemptions) needs a unit price in €/kg or €/L.

Mistake 2: Wrong Unit (€/100g instead of €/kg)

Problem:
Before 2022, Germany allowed €/100g. Many shop owners haven't updated their labels.

Solution:
Convert all unit prices to €/kg or €/L. No exceptions.

Mistake 3: Handwritten "Sale Prices" Without Proof

Problem:
"Was €5.99" – but no one can prove when that price was valid.

Solution:
Keep price history records. During inspections, you need to prove your reference price is accurate.

Mistake 4: Forgetting to Update

Problem:
Wholesale price went up, selling price was updated, but the price tag still shows the old unit price.

Solution:
Update all information whenever the price changes – selling price AND unit price.

Mistake 5: Price Tags Without German

Problem:
In some neighborhoods, price tags are only in the shop owner's native language.

Solution:
German is mandatory. Other languages can be added, but German must always be present.

For international shop owners: We understand – German isn't your first language, and this is challenging. But the law is clear: German is required. The good news is that PriceLabel can automatically create bilingual labels (German + your language) – so you're compliant AND can serve your community in their native language!

Checklist: Is Your Shop Compliant?

Print this checklist and review your shop:

✅ Selling Price

• [ ] Every product has a visible price
• [ ] Price includes VAT
• [ ] Deposit is shown separately (if applicable)
• [ ] Price is in Euros
• [ ] Text is legible (not too small, not faded)

✅ Unit Price

• [ ] All products over 50g/50ml have a unit price
• [ ] Unit price is in €/kg or €/L (NOT €/100g or €/100ml)
• [ ] Unit price is calculated correctly
• [ ] Unit price is updated when price changes

✅ 30-Day Rule (for sales)

• [ ] Sale items show "lowest price in past 30 days"
• [ ] You keep price history records (digital or paper)
• [ ] You can prove reference price is correct during inspection

✅ Language and Legibility

• [ ] All price information is in German
• [ ] Text is clear and readable
• [ ] Price tags are not damaged or faded

✅ Special Cases

• [ ] Perishable goods: Regulation is known and applied
• [ ] New products: Shorter reference period is considered
• [ ] Loose goods: €/kg price is visible

How PriceLabel Helps

After reading this article, you might be thinking: "This is too complicated for my small shop."

That's exactly why we built PriceLabel.

What PriceLabel Does for You:

How It Works:

1. Scan barcode (3 seconds)
2. Enter price
3. Print – done!

The price label automatically includes: - Product name (German + optional second language) - Selling price - Unit price in €/kg or €/L - For sales: 30-day reference price

Try It Free Now

During beta, PriceLabel is 100% free.

→ Start Free Now

No credit card required. No commitment. Just try it.

Conclusion

PAngV might seem complicated, but at its core, it's about three things:

1. Show the final price (including VAT)
2. Show the unit price (€/kg or €/L)
3. For discounts: Show the lowest price from the past 30 days

Follow these three rules, and you're 95% compliant.

For the remaining 5% (special cases, exceptions, documentation), there are two paths: - The hard way: Do everything manually, keep price history on paper, sweat every inspection - The easy way: Use a tool that automates the work

The choice is yours.

To international entrepreneurs in Germany: You took a risk, started a business in a foreign country, and built something from nothing. Don't let a fine undo your hard work. With PriceLabel, create compliant labels in 3 seconds – in German and your native language!

Additional Resources

• Official PAngV Regulation (German Federal Ministry of Justice)
• EU Directive 98/6/EC (EUR-Lex)
• Omnibus Directive 2019/2161 (EUR-Lex)

About the Author

This article was prepared by the PriceLabel team based on analysis of EU directives, German regulations, and real retailer experiences.

Questions? Contact us: [email protected]

We respond in English! Don't hesitate to reach out.

Last updated: December 2025
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.