Overview
- The law was published in the Bundesgesetzblatt on Tuesday and its printed wording says it "tritt am Tag nach der Verkündung in Kraft," which by law made the higher tax rates technically effective the next day.
- The Federal Ministry of Finance acknowledged a technical error and said the increases were meant to start on 1 January 2027, and the ministry has initiated a correction of the published text.
- The ministry informed the Generalzolldirektion (customs) and told firms they may continue production and deliveries for now, but those administrative instructions do not change the law on paper.
- Industry groups warned that, under the literal published text, manufacturers lack the new tax stamps (Steuerzeichen) and could face a forced production halt, calling for immediate legal clarity and criticising the ministry's handling.
- The reform itself phases higher tobacco taxes through 2030 and is expected to raise retail pack prices by about €4 by 2030, and any final fix may require either a ministerial formless correction or formal parliamentary steps involving the Bundestag and Bundesrat.