Taxi and Cab Services in Germany — Apps and Tips

German Taxi Regulation — PBefG and the Two-Tier Market

Germany operates a strictly regulated two-tier transport market under the Personenbeförderungsgesetz (PBefG). Traditional Taxen (taxis) are regulated under PBefG §2 with fares set by local Taxiordnung, mandatory calibrated taximeters (Taxameter), and licensed drivers. Mietwagen (hire cars) — the model used by UBER, Bolt, and FREE NOW hire-car options — operate under PBefG §49 with unregulated pricing but the obligation to return to a fixed depot (Betriebssitz) between bookings.

• Taxi licence (Konzession) issued by local Behörde under PBefG §2 — restricted in number in most cities
• Taxameter: must be officially calibrated (geeicht) under the Mess- und Eichgesetz — ensures meter accuracy
• Driver requirement: Personenbeförderungsschein (P-Schein) plus city-specific Ortskundeprüfung (local knowledge test)
• Taxiordnung: each Gemeinde sets its own fare table — flagfall, per-km rate, waiting time, and supplements
• Typical flagfall: €3.90 in most major cities; per-km rate: €2.20–2.80 depending on city and time of day
• Mietwagen (PBefG §49): Rückkehrpflicht (return-to-base obligation) between bookings — upheld by Bundesverwaltungsgericht

Major Cab and Ride-Hailing Apps in Germany

Germany's ride-hailing market is dominated by FREE NOW (formerly myTaxi), which aggregates both licensed taxis and Mietwagen. UBER operates exclusively as a Mietwagen vermittler, not as a taxi dispatcher. Bolt entered Germany in 2019 and operates the same PBefG §49 model. For widest coverage including smaller German cities, FREE NOW's licensed taxi network is the most reliable option.

UBER in Germany — How It Differs from UBER Globally

UBER in Germany is structurally different from UBER in the US or UK. Under PBefG §49, ride-hailing vehicles that are not licensed taxis must operate as Mietwagen through a licensed hire-car company and must return to their registered Betriebssitz (depot) between bookings — they cannot cruise for passengers or pick up street hails. The Bundesverwaltungsgericht confirmed this Rückkehrpflicht obligation in a landmark ruling. This is why UBER surge pricing is less common in Germany than in other markets.

• UBER operates as Mietvermittler — it connects passengers with licensed Mietwagenunternehmen, not independent drivers
• Rückkehrpflicht (return-to-base) obligation under PBefG §49 confirmed by Bundesverwaltungsgericht
• No street hails permitted for UBER/Bolt vehicles — booking must be made via app before the vehicle moves
• Drivers employed by Mietwagenunternehmen, not independent contractors as in the US model
• 2021 PBefG reform introduced Pooling (shared rides) as a new category — MOIA in Hamburg operates under this
• BerlKönig (BVG/Moia shared ride service in Berlin) was discontinued in 2021 citing profitability

Taxi Fares — What You Will Pay Across German Cities

Taxi fares in Germany are regulated by municipal Taxiordnungen. Each Gemeinde sets its own Taxitarif. Munich and Frankfurt are among the most expensive; smaller cities significantly cheaper. The table below shows indicative fares for a 10 km trip during daytime in major cities — final fare depends on waiting time, supplements, and night-time Zuschläge.

Business Travel — Expense Claims and VAT (Vorsteuerabzug)

Taxi and ride-hailing costs are fully deductible Betriebsausgaben (business expenses) when incurred for business purposes. For VAT reclaim (Vorsteuerabzug), a proper Rechnung is required — a simple Quittung (receipt) is insufficient. Under §4(5) EStG, a Fahrtenbuch (mileage log) is required for company vehicles but not for taxis. The simplified Reisekostenpauschale (travel expense flat rate) may be used instead of individual receipts for small amounts.

• Taxirechnung must state: service date, route or km, total amount, VAT (19%), and provider's USt-IdNr (VAT number)
• UBER Germany and FREE NOW Business automatically generate DSGVO-compliant digital VAT invoices via their apps
• Vorsteuerabzug (input tax deduction): only available with proper Rechnung under §15 UStG — not a simple Quittung
• Reisekostenpauschale: €0.30/km for private car used for business; does not apply to taxi costs — actual receipt required
• Fahrtenbuch requirement (§4(5) EStG): applies to company cars, not taxis — no log required for taxi business travel
• FREE NOW Business and Uber for Business accounts provide monthly consolidated invoices — ideal for corporate expense reporting

Airport Transfers and Fixed Fares

German airports offer multiple ground transport options. Most major airports have official taxi ranks at arrivals with metered fares — no pre-booking required. Some cities offer fixed airport rates (Pauschaltarif) agreed between the airport authority and taxi association. Munich Airport to city centre is approximately €60–70 by taxi; Frankfurt Airport to city centre €35–45; Berlin BER to Mitte €50–65.

• Munich Airport (MUC): taxi to Marienplatz ~60–70 via A9/A99, ~45 min; S-Bahn S1 or S8: ~40 min, €13.60
• Frankfurt Airport (FRA): taxi to city centre ~€35–45, 20–30 min; S-Bahn S8/S9: 15 min, €5.90
• Berlin BER: taxi to Mitte ~€50–65, 40–55 min; S-Bahn S9 or FEX express: 30 min, €4.20
• Hamburg Airport (HAM): taxi to city centre ~€25–35, 20–30 min; U-Bahn U1: 25 min, €3.70
• Sixt Ride and pre-booked private transfer offer fixed-price guarantee — ideal for business travellers with tight schedules
• Airport surcharges (Flughafenzuschlag): typically €2–5 added to meter fare by licensed taxis at most German airports

Accessibility and Special Services (§28 PBefG)

German taxi operators with more than 3 vehicles are required under §28 PBefG to ensure a minimum proportion of wheelchair-accessible vehicles in their fleet. In practice, accessibility compliance varies by city. Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg maintain dedicated accessible taxi fleets. Passengers with disabilities can request accessible vehicles via city taxi dispatchers or the FREE NOW app's accessibility filter. Guide dogs are permitted in all taxis by law.

• §28 PBefG: taxi operators required to ensure accessibility — exact proportions set by local Taxiordnung
• FREE NOW app: wheelchair accessibility filter available in Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, and Frankfurt
• Guide dogs (Blindenführhunde): legally permitted in all licensed taxis — driver refusal is unlawful
• Large group taxis (Großraumtaxi/Minivan): available in most cities for 6–8 passengers, typically 1.5–2x standard fare
• Krankentransport (medical transport) is a separate regulated service under PBefG §49 — not covered by standard taxi apps

Shared Ride and New Mobility Services in Germany

The 2021 PBefG reform introduced a new Pooling category allowing ride-sharing services that pick up multiple passengers along a route. MOIA, operated jointly by VW and Hamburg Hochbahn, is Germany's largest operational pooling service, running shared electric vans in Hamburg and Hannover. The BerlKönig service operated by BVG and Moia in Berlin was discontinued in 2021. These services bridge the gap between public transport and individual taxis.

• MOIA (Hamburg, Hannover): shared electric VW ID. Buzz vans, app-based booking, lower per-ride cost than taxi
• Pricing: MOIA typically 30–50% cheaper than a solo taxi for comparable routes
• On-demand public transport (Rufbus, Anrufsammeltaxi): operated by local Verkehrsbetriebe in rural areas — uses public transport tickets
• 2021 PBefG reform: legalized Linienbündel (bundled route) pooling services — cleared the regulatory path for MOIA model
• Lime, Tier, Bolt: e-scooter sharing in major cities — €0.25/min + unlock fee, suitable for last-mile from taxi/train

Phone Booking and Hailing Taxis Without an App

Traditional German taxis remain fully bookable without smartphones. Every major German city has a central taxi dispatch number. Taxis can also be hailed on the street when the illuminated Frei (free) sign on the roof is lit green. Taxi ranks (Taxistand) at railway stations, airports, hospitals, and main shopping streets have licensed taxis available around the clock in most cities.

• Berlin Taxi: +49 30 202 020 (24-hour dispatch for all licensed Berlin taxis)
• Munich Taxi: +49 89 21 610 (Isarfunk Taxi)
• Frankfurt Taxi: +49 69 230 001 (Frankfurter Taxizentrale)
• Hamburg Taxi: +49 40 211 211 (Taxi Hamburg)
• Cologne Taxi: +49 221 2882 (Kölner Taxizentrale)
• Street hailing: taxi is available if green Frei light on roof is illuminated — wave from kerb; driver will stop if safe to do so

Price Comparison — Taxi vs UBER vs Public Transport (10 km trip)

For a typical 10 km urban trip in a major German city, licensed taxis and Mietwagen services are significantly more expensive than public transport but comparable in time efficiency when traffic is congested. UBER/Bolt Mietwagen services typically undercut taxis by 20–35% outside of surge periods. Night-time travel (after 23:00) adds supplements to taxi fares under local Taxiordnung.