Germany's Right to Repair Law: What Expats Need to Know

Introduction

As of this week, a new Right to Repair law has come into force in Germany, backed by an EU directive. The regulation places legal obligations on manufacturers and sellers of a wide range of electronic products, requiring them to make devices easier to fix and to provide spare parts at fair prices. For expats living in Germany, this is practical and welcome news: it could save you money, reduce frustration when your washing machine or laptop breaks down, and give you clearer rights when dealing with shops and manufacturers. Here is a plain-English breakdown of what the law covers, who it applies to, and how you can use it.

What the Right to Repair Law Actually Says

The core idea behind the law is simple: products should last longer, and consumers should have a real option to repair them rather than being forced to buy replacements. Under the new rules, manufacturers of covered products must:

• Make devices repair-friendly by design — meaning components should be accessible without specialist tools where possible.
• Supply spare parts to both professional repair shops and individual consumers at reasonable, non-discriminatory prices.
• Provide repair information, including technical manuals and guides, to independent repairers.
• Offer repair as an option during the legal warranty period and beyond.

Sellers are also required to inform customers about repair possibilities at the point of sale, so you should hear about repair options before being pushed toward a replacement.

Which Products Are Covered?

Not all devices fall under the new rules — and this is an important detail. The law currently applies to a defined list of product categories, which includes:

• Washing machines and washer-dryers
• Dishwashers
• Refrigerators and freezers
• Televisions and displays
• Smartphones and tablets (with phased timelines)
• Laptops and notebooks
• Vacuum cleaners
• Power tools (cordless)

Coverage for some categories, particularly smartphones and laptops, is being phased in over the coming years, so the full benefits may not be immediate for every device. If you are unsure whether your product is covered, check the manufacturer's website or ask at the point of purchase.

What This Means in Practice for Expats

For many expats, dealing with broken appliances in Germany has historically involved navigating German-language warranty documents, unclear return policies, and pressure to simply buy something new. The Right to Repair law changes the balance in your favour in several concrete ways:

1. You can demand a repair quote before accepting a replacement. During the legal two-year warranty period (Gewährleistung), if a product develops a fault, sellers are now required to consider repair as a primary remedy. You are within your rights to ask for this.
2. Independent repair shops gain better access to parts. This means more competition, potentially lower repair costs, and less dependency on expensive official service centres.
3. You can source spare parts yourself. If you are comfortable doing basic repairs, manufacturers must make parts available to you, not just to certified technicians.
4. Repaired products may get an extended warranty. Under the EU framework, having a product repaired can reset or extend the guarantee period in certain circumstances — check the specifics with the seller.

This is particularly useful for expats who may not own their appliances outright (some rentals include white goods) but who are responsible for maintenance, or those who are budget-conscious and want to avoid the cost of replacing items prematurely.

Limitations and What to Watch Out For

The law is a step forward, but it is not a complete solution. A few caveats to keep in mind:

• Not all products are covered yet. The rollout is gradual, and some categories will take until 2027 or beyond to be fully included.
• Manufacturer compliance takes time. Supply chains for spare parts need to be established, and in the early months, availability may be patchy.
• Price of spare parts is regulated to be 'reasonable' but not fixed. This leaves room for interpretation, so it is worth comparing prices between suppliers.
• The law does not guarantee a repair will be cheap or quick. It guarantees access and information — the actual cost and timeline depend on the device and repairer.

If you believe a manufacturer or seller is not complying with the law, you can contact the Verbraucherzentrale (consumer advice centre), which offers free and low-cost guidance in Germany. Many branches have English-speaking advisers or English information on their websites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this law apply to second-hand or refurbished products I buy in Germany?

The Right to Repair rules primarily target manufacturers of new products placed on the EU market. However, the broader principle of spare-part availability benefits the second-hand repair ecosystem too. If you buy a used device in Germany, your standard consumer warranty rights (typically one year from a private seller, two years from a commercial seller) still apply, but the new repair obligations fall on the original manufacturer, not the second-hand seller.

My landlord's washing machine broke — who is responsible for the repair?

This is a common question for expats renting furnished or semi-furnished apartments. As a rule, if the appliance belongs to the landlord and was included in the rental agreement, the landlord is responsible for repair or replacement. The Right to Repair law helps the landlord get spare parts more easily and cheaply, but it does not change who bears the financial responsibility. Always report appliance faults to your landlord in writing (ideally by email) so there is a documented record.

Where can I find an independent repair shop in Germany?

You can use the Repair Café network (repaircafe.org), which has hundreds of free community repair events across Germany, or search local listings for 'Reparaturwerkstatt' followed by your city name. The new law is designed to make these independent repairers more viable by ensuring they can access parts.

Conclusion and Next Steps

The Right to Repair law is a meaningful consumer win for anyone living in Germany. While the rollout is gradual and not every device is covered immediately, the direction of travel is clear: manufacturers must support the lifespan of their products, and consumers have more tools to hold them to that standard.

If you have a device that has recently broken down, it is worth checking whether it falls under the covered categories before assuming you need to replace it. Contact the manufacturer directly to ask about spare parts, or visit your nearest Verbraucherzentrale for advice. Keeping your appliances running longer is both good for your wallet and good for the environment.

Source: Tagesschau