German Taxi and Rideshare Apps Compared
Germany's mobility market splits between regulated Taxen (licensed taxis, fixed fares) and unregulated Mietwagen services (UBER, Bolt, operating via hire-car companies).
| Service | Model | Fare Type | City Coverage | Business Receipts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FREE NOW | Taxi + Mietwagen | Taximeter (taxi) / dynamic (Mietwagen) | Nationwide | Full VAT invoice |
| UBER | Mietwagen | Dynamic pricing | ~20 major cities | Automatic digital |
| Bolt | Mietwagen | Dynamic pricing | Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Munich | In-app PDF |
| Taxi Deutschland | Taxi only | Fixed local Taxiordnung rate | Nationwide | Printed Taxirechnung |
| Sixt Ride | Premium hire car | Fixed pre-booking price | Major cities + airports | Corporate account invoicing |
Business Traveller Tips
For German business tax purposes, taxi and car service costs are fully deductible Betriebsausgaben. Key compliance requirements:
- Always request a Taxirechnung (formal invoice with USt-IdNr.) — a simple Quittung (receipt) may not be sufficient for VAT reclaim
- Invoice must contain: service date, VAT amount (19%), provider's VAT number, and route or trip description
- UBER Germany: download business receipt from app — includes VAT breakdown automatically
- Set up FREE NOW Business or Uber for Business account for monthly consolidated invoicing
- Airport metered taxis to city centre: always ask for Taxirechnung before exit
The 19% Umsatzsteuer on taxi/Mietwagen invoices is recoverable as Vorsteuer if you are VAT-registered. A €100 taxi fare contains ~€15.97 in VAT you can reclaim on your next Umsatzsteuervoranmeldung. Over a year of regular business travel, this is a meaningful recovery — ensure every business trip has a proper VAT invoice.
Airport Transfers at German Airports
Major German airports and typical city transfer options:
- Frankfurt (FRA) to city centre: metered taxi ~€30–40 (25 min), S-Bahn S8/S9 €5.50 (40 min)
- Munich (MUC) to city centre: metered taxi ~€70–80 (45 min), S-Bahn S1/S8 €13.20 (40 min)
- Berlin (BER) to centre: metered taxi ~€50–70 (45 min), S-Bahn S9/S45 ~€4.40 (45 min)
- Düsseldorf (DUS) to centre: metered taxi ~€25–35 (20 min), S-Bahn ~€2.50 (12 min)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is UBER legal in Germany?
Yes — UBER operates legally in Germany since 2021 via the revised Personenbeförderungsgesetz (PBefG). UBER drivers are employed by Mietwagen (hire-car) companies licensed under PBefG. This model is different from UBER in the US/UK (where drivers are independent contractors). UBER drivers must return to base (Rückkehrpflicht) between bookings — hence slightly longer wait times compared to US cities.
How do I get a taxi at Frankfurt Airport?
Licensed taxi ranks at Frankfurt Airport (FRA) are directly outside arrivals terminals 1 and 2. Taxis are metered — expect €30–50 to Frankfurt city centre depending on traffic. No pre-booking needed; FIFO queue system. For pre-booked airport transfers: Sixt Ride, FREE NOW, or Uber are alternatives. The direct S-Bahn (S8/S9) from the basement station is faster (37 min) and cheaper (€5.50) during rush hour.
What is the FREE NOW app in Germany?
FREE NOW (formerly mytaxi) is Germany's most widely used taxi booking app, available nationwide including small cities. It books licensed taxis (metered, regulated fares) and Mietwagen ride-hailing. Founded in Hamburg, it is majority-owned by BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Business accounts available with monthly invoicing. The key advantage over UBER: it works in cities where UBER/Bolt are not available.
How do I request a wheelchair-accessible taxi in Germany?
Most German cities have wheelchair-accessible taxis (Rollstuhlgerechte Taxen) available by phone request from local taxi dispatch. Call the central dispatch number and specifically request a "Rollstuhltaxi" or "barrierefreies Fahrzeug." FREE NOW allows filtering for accessible vehicles in some cities. Advance booking is recommended as availability is limited — typically 30–60 minutes notice needed.
Can I take pets in taxis in Germany?
It depends on the taxi driver's discretion. German taxi law does not mandate acceptance of pets. Small pets in a carrier are generally accepted. Larger dogs may be refused. Service dogs (Blindenführhunde, assistance dogs) must be accepted by law. When booking in advance, mention you have a pet. Some FREE NOW drivers list pet-friendly preferences in their profiles. UBER generally leaves pet policy to driver discretion.
What is the Personenbeförderungsgesetz (PBefG) and how does it regulate taxis?
The Personenbeförderungsgesetz (PBefG) is Germany's Passenger Transport Act governing all commercial passenger transport including taxis and hire-car services. Licensed taxis (Taxen) must use a calibrated taxameter, follow the local Taxiordnung (tariff), and accept all passengers (Beförderungspflicht). The 2021 PBefG reform partially liberalised ride-hailing by allowing Mietwagen platforms like Uber and Bolt to operate, but maintained the Rückkehrpflicht (return-to-base requirement) for hire cars between bookings.
How do I complain about a German taxi driver or service?
To file a complaint about a licensed German taxi: note the taxi number (Ordnungsnummer on the vehicle), date, time, and nature of the complaint. Submit to the local Taxibehörde (part of the Straßenverkehrsamt or Ordnungsamt). For serious violations (dangerous driving, fare fraud), contact the police. For Uber and Bolt drivers, use the in-app complaint function. The Taxibehörde can revoke or suspend a taxi licence for repeated violations. Licensed taxi associations (e.g., Taxi Deutschland) also have complaint procedures.
What is the Taxiordnung and how are German taxi fares set?
Each German municipality sets its own Taxiordnung (taxi tariff ordinance) specifying the base fare (Grundpreis), per-km rate (Kilometerpreis), waiting time rate, and any supplements (Zuschläge) for luggage, night travel, or special destinations like airports. Fares must be displayed in the vehicle. All licensed taxis in the same municipality charge identical fares — no negotiation is possible for metered rides. Flat-rate agreements (Festpreisvereinbarung) for airport transfers are permitted in many cities and can be arranged in advance.
Can I hire a private driver (Fahrer) for business travel in Germany?
Yes — companies and individuals can hire a licensed Mietwagenunternehmen (hire-car company) for private driver services. These are booked via platforms like Sixt Ride, WeRide, or directly through chauffeured car companies. A personal driver employed directly by your company is also possible but requires an employment contract, social insurance contributions, and a valid PBefG licence for the driver. For occasional business travel, outsourcing to a licensed Mietwagenunternehmen is simpler and more cost-effective.
Are electric taxis available in Germany?
Electric taxis are increasingly common in German cities. Munich has one of Europe's largest electric taxi fleets. Berlin and Hamburg have significant EV taxi numbers. The federal government offers subsidies for electric taxi purchases (Umweltbonus, EUR 3,000–4,500 for taxi operators in 2024). FREE NOW and Uber Germany allow filtering for green/electric vehicles in some cities. Electric taxis typically have higher base fares to account for higher vehicle acquisition costs, but this varies by city Taxiordnung.
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