Guide · Retention

How Long Should You Keep Receipts in Germany? Private, Warranty and Tax

Updated 5 October 2026 · 6 min read

As a private buyer in Germany you do not have to keep receipts – there is no general legal duty. The consumer advice centre (Verbraucherzentrale) does recommend keeping receipts and proofs of purchase for two years, because that is how long the statutory warranty runs; for guarantees the manufacturer's period applies, and the self-employed face much longer tax deadlines.

Do private individuals have to keep receipts?

No. For ordinary purchases there is no duty to keep the receipt. You do need it as proof when you want to exchange something, make a complaint or use a guarantee. So a sensible retention period depends on how long you have such rights.

How long should you keep receipts because of the statutory warranty?

The statutory warranty (Gewährleistung) is your right against the seller. Under section 438 of the German Civil Code (BGB), claims for defects in a purchase generally expire after two years; the period starts when the goods are delivered. The Verbraucherzentrale therefore recommends keeping receipts, proofs of purchase and till slips for two years.

Important for proof: according to the Verbraucherzentrale, during the first twelve months the seller has to disprove that the goods were already defective at purchase. After that, the burden of proof is on you. That makes it all the more important to be able to prove the purchase date and the retailer with the receipt.

New since 2026: according to the Verbraucherzentrale, products bought after 31 July 2026 come with a right to repair. If you choose repair over a replacement for a defect, the warranty period is extended once by one year. In that case it is worth keeping the receipt correspondingly longer. If you get a replacement device, the warranty for it generally starts afresh – get the exchange confirmed in writing.

What about a guarantee?

A guarantee (Garantie) is a voluntary promise, usually from the manufacturer. Duration and conditions are in the guarantee terms – that can be one, two, five years or more. Keep the receipt at least as long as the guarantee runs, ideally together with the guarantee card or document.

Which receipts should you keep longer?

• Expensive appliances and furniture: for as long as you own them, for example as proof of value for your home contents insurance or when reselling.
• Purchases with a long manufacturer guarantee: until the guarantee expires.
• Repaired products: until the extended warranty has expired.
• Receipts for your tax return, for example work equipment: until the tax assessment is final – if in doubt, ask your tax advisor or income tax assistance association.

Grocery receipts, on the other hand, you can usually throw away quickly if you do not need them for your household budget. According to the insurer R+V, thermal paper does not belong in waste paper but in general waste.

How long do the self-employed and companies have to keep documents?

Companies are subject to retention duties under commercial and tax law, under section 147 of the German Fiscal Code (Abgabenordnung) and section 257 of the German Commercial Code (HGB). According to the Cologne Chamber of Commerce (IHK Köln), since 1 January 2025 accounting vouchers have to be kept for eight years (previously ten). Books, records, annual accounts and inventories still have to be kept for ten years, other business documents subject to retention for six years. The period starts at the end of the calendar year in which the document was created or last processed.

Whether a photo or scan may replace the paper original depends on further requirements – clarify that with your tax advisor. Bonstructer is a notebook for your receipts, not an archiving system for bookkeeping.

Is a photo or scan enough instead of the original?

For private purposes, a photo often helps. According to the Verbraucherzentrale, what counts for retention periods is the content, not whether it exists on paper or digitally. R+V advises presenting the original as well as a photo or scan when you make a complaint, if possible. Whether the retailer accepts a photo is up to them.

A practical reason to scan: thermal-paper receipts often fade long before two years are up. What you can do then is covered in the guide Faded receipt: what to do.

How do you find a receipt again after two years?

The real problem is rarely keeping receipts, but finding them again. In Bonstructer you scan the receipt right after shopping; shop, date and every item line are read, and the original photo stays attached to the receipt. You mark important receipts as "Warranty & proof". Later you search for the item, say "kettle", and open the receipt. If you need it for your tax advisor, employer or landlord, you send it by email with the photo and lines.

There is no automatic warranty reminder – you keep an eye on the deadlines yourself. Tips for good scans are in the guide How to scan receipts: tips, and more answers in the frequently asked questions.