E-cigarette and vape rules in Germany (2026)

Last reviewed: 7 November 2026

In short: E-cigarettes, including nicotine-free ones, may not be sold or given to anyone under 18. Vaping is banned in federal institutions, public transport and passenger railway stations. Nicotine liquid is limited to 20 mg/ml.

RuleWhat applies
Minimum age to buyBuying or using e-cigarettesE-cigarettes, including nicotine-free ones, and their refill containers may not be handed to children or young people in public places, shops or restaurants. Young people are those aged 14 but under 18, so the minimum age is 18. They may not be allowed to use them either, and mail-order sales to them are banned. [1]
Flavour restrictionsBuying or using e-cigarettes⚠ Not yet verified
Where vaping is bannedBuying or using e-cigarettesVaping is banned indoors in federal institutions, in public passenger transport and in passenger railway stations. Separate, marked rooms where vaping is allowed may be provided. [2]
Nicotine strength limitBuying or using e-cigarettesLiquid containing nicotine may contain at most 20 mg of nicotine per ml. Refill containers hold at most 10 ml. Disposable e-cigarettes and disposable cartridges hold at most 2 ml. [3]
Disposable vapesBuying or using e-cigarettesDisposable e-cigarettes and disposable cartridges that contain nicotine may be placed on the market only if they hold at most 2 ml. No outright ban on disposable e-cigarettes is stated. [3]

Notes

  • The flavour ban in § 5 TabakerzG names cigarettes, roll-your-own tobacco and heated tobacco products. No flavour rule for e-liquids was confirmed in the sources read.
  • This federal law does not cover restaurants and pubs. The Länder set the rules there; they were not checked.
  • The 2 ml limit applies to nicotine-containing products. Only the size is limited; no ban was found.

Sources

  1. Bundesministerium der Justiz / Bundesamt für Justiz (gesetze-im-internet.de): § 10 JuSchG - Einzelnorm (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
  2. Bundesministerium der Justiz / Bundesamt für Justiz (gesetze-im-internet.de): § 1 BNichtrSchG - Einzelnorm (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
  3. Bundesministerium der Justiz / Bundesamt für Justiz (gesetze-im-internet.de): TabakerzG - Gesetz über Tabakerzeugnisse und verwandte Erzeugnisse (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources

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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.