Installation Shopping in Germany for Disabled Veterans, Purple Heart Recipients, Former POWs and Caregivers
Since January 2020, veterans who hold a Purple Heart, were prisoners of war, or have a service-connected disability, and VA primary family caregivers, can use commissaries and exchanges in Germany, under the same German customs regime as retirees. When the Army announced it, the same access elsewhere in Europe was still pending.
Also called: commissary, exchange, expanded access, Purple Heart, former POW, service-connected, caregiver, VHIC, Veteran Health Identification Card, Pink Card, German customs.
The Purple Heart and Disabled Veterans Equal Access Act opened commissaries, exchanges and MWR retail on January 1, 2020 to veterans who hold a Purple Heart, former prisoners of war, all veterans with a service-connected disability, and primary family caregivers approved under VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers. Inside the United States and its territories they have the access retirees have. The DoD fact sheet counts every VA-documented service-connected rating from 0% to 90% for this route; veterans rated 100%, or paid at 100% for unemployability, already held a DoD identification card with these privileges. Abroad, DoD's fact sheet says access is not guaranteed: it depends on host-nation law and agreements such as status of forces agreements, which the United States cannot change on its own.
Germany agreed. The Army announced on January 17, 2020 that eligible veterans could get installation access and shopping privileges in Germany, and that use of commissaries and exchanges in Italy, Belgium, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands was still pending.
The German conditions are the retirees' conditions. Because of the arrangements with the German Federal Ministry of Finance, an eligible veteran has to register with the U.S. Army Customs Agency-Europe and the local German customs office, and shops on Army in Europe Form 550-175K and the German customs card. Purchases are free of U.S. taxes but German duties are charged. A veteran visiting Germany must show at least 30 uninterrupted days in the country, and rationed items such as alcohol, coffee and cigarettes cannot be bought. The Army listed the Veteran Health Identification Card and an installation pass among the credentials.
The 2020 announcement is the most recent official statement found for Germany; ask the installation's visitor center and the customs office before relying on the details.
Thresholds
Thresholds for Installation Shopping in Germany for Disabled Veterans, Purple Heart Recipients, Former POWs and Caregivers
Gate
Rule
Any service-connected disability, or a Purple Heart or POW status
Any VA service-connected rating qualifies, including 0%. A Purple Heart, former prisoner of war status, or designation as a VA primary family caregiver qualifies on its own, so a rating filter does not remove this entry.
Registration with U.S. and German customs
An eligible veteran must register with the U.S. Army Customs Agency-Europe and the local German customs office, and a visitor must be in Germany at least 30 uninterrupted days.
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Disclaimer
VetTOC is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense. Information is for reference only and is not an eligibility determination. Verify with VA, the relevant state or territory, or an accredited VSO.