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Benefits written for Germany are first: U.S. benefits that apply only here, and host-nation provisions that reach U.S. veterans. VA benefits that apply abroad follow.
A military retiree living in or visiting Germany for 30 days or more can shop at the commissary and exchange, but not tax-free: every purchase is recorded on a German customs card and German duties are paid on it. Misreporting can end in a German tax evasion prosecution.
Military retirees and their dependents. This is a retiree privilege. Veterans who did not retire have a separate, narrower route in Germany if they hold a Purple Heart, were prisoners of war, have a service-connected disability, or are VA caregivers.
Germany's top tax court held in April 2026 that VA disability compensation is fully tax-free in Germany and does not raise the rate on other income. Military retired pay is taxable only by the United States unless the retiree is a German national, but Germany counts it for the rate. U.S. Social Security is taxable only in Germany.
No rating requirement. The exemption for VA compensation follows the nature of the payment, not the percentage. Any VA disability compensation paid for an injury in service is covered.
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.
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.
VA payment for treatment of a service-connected disability, and some associated conditions, while the veteran is outside the United States.
Service-connected condition. VA pays for a disability it has decided is service-connected, including a 0% rating, and for some associated conditions. There is no single combined-rating floor beyond that.