Glossary
Investment gold
Investment gold is exempt from VAT in Germany, unlike silver and platinum.
Investment gold is exempt from VAT under section 25c of Germany's Value Added Tax Act. This covers gold bars with at least 995 fineness and gold coins of at least 900 fineness minted after 1800, which are or were legal tender in their country of origin and are not traded primarily as collector pieces.
In practice, Krugerrand, Maple Leaf, Vienna Philharmonic, American Eagle, Vreneli and common bars from one gram to one kilogram are VAT-free when purchased. This helps make physical gold attractive as an investment, as there is no 19% VAT addition on purchase.
This does not apply to other precious metals. Silver bars carry the full VAT rate; silver coins often use margin taxation. Platinum and palladium are also taxable. VAT does not, however, apply when a private individual sells to a dealer, because private individuals do not charge it.
What VAT exemption means for the price
At 120,00 € per gram, a kilogram bar of fine gold has a material value of 120.000,00 €. With no VAT on purchase, its purchase price is close to that value. When selling, we pay 97 % of spot, giving 116.400,00 €.
Silver is different: a kilogram bar of fine silver, at 1,20 € per gram, has a material value of 1.200,00 €, but VAT is added when bought from a dealer. We buy it at 85 % of spot, giving 1.020,00 €.
Sell investment gold in Nordhorn
In Nordhorn, we buy bars and bullion coins at our best rate because they are already pure and need no refining. Certificates and sealed packaging are welcome but not required. We test them anyway.
For larger lots, please give brief notice so we can have enough cash available and set aside time. We can also pay by bank transfer, the usual option for larger amounts.