Does Germany’s aviation tax cut mean flights will be cheaper this summer?

Members of the German parliament (Bundestag) have voted to cut the country's aviation tax. Does the vote mean flights will be cheaper in summer 2026?

Bundestag votes to cut aviation tax

On May 21, members of the German Bundestag voted to reduce the country’s aviation tax (Luftverkehrsabgabe). The aviation tax was initially introduced by the CDU-FDP coalition in 2011 and increased by the SPD-Greens-FDP government in May 2024.

As a result, taxes on each passenger flying within Germany or to another EU member state increased from 12,73 euros to 15,53 euros. For trips further afield, more than 6.000 kilometres, the tax per passenger increased from 58,06 euros to 70,83 euros. 

Now, the tax per passenger within Europe will be reduced to 13,03 euros, and for long-haul flights, to 59,43 euros per passenger. The tax cut is expected to cost the public purse 350 million euros per year. 

Airlines, particularly Ryanair, have strongly criticised Germany’s aviation tax since its 2024 increase and have repeatedly threatened to reduce operations in Germany. Aviation taxes also exist in France, Norway, the UK and Italy. While Sweden abolished its aviation tax in 2025, the Belgian government plans to double the tax from 5 euros to 11 euros by 2029.

Will flights get cheaper because of the aviation tax cut?

The aviation tax cut still needs to go to a vote in the Bundesrat, which represents Germany’s 16 federal states. If it passes, will travelling to and from Germany by plane be cheaper this summer?

"The state is giving up revenue, but passengers will not see any of the tax reduction," Gerald Wissel, CEO of Airborne Consulting, told Deutsche Welle. When the government increased the tax in 2024, airlines passed the cost on to passengers by raising ticket prices. However, airlines aren’t obliged to reduce ticket prices now that taxes have been reduced.

The ongoing energy crisis prompted by US-Israeli attacks on Iran is another reason why passengers are unlikely to benefit from the tax cut. A reduction in operating costs from the tax cut is likely to be offset by an increase in kerosene costs. 

Against this backdrop, Deutsche Bahn is making a concerted effort to encourage more people to take long-distance trains this summer. In recent weeks, the national rail company has announced three new deals: a 99-euro family ticket, a new discount scheme for ICE and IC tickets, and a ticket price freeze until 2027.