Overview

• Austria recently raised its deposit on beer bottles to 20 cents, doubling the previous amount and significantly exceeding Germany's rates.
• The increased deposit in Austria has incentivized individuals to return bottles purchased in Germany for higher refunds, creating a phenomenon dubbed 'pfandtourismus' or deposit tourism.
• German breweries near the Austrian border report financial strain and logistical issues as some individuals attempt to return large quantities of bottles for profit.
• Austrian regulations mandate that retailers only accept household-level quantities of returns and bottles they sell, but enforcement challenges persist.
• The situation has reignited discussions in Germany about raising its own bottle deposit rates, though brewers cite concerns about costs, customer reactions, and potential bottle shortages.