Living Plant-Based in Germany: Rights, Food, and Culture

Germany may be known for bratwurst and schnitzel, but it has quietly become one of the most plant-based-friendly countries in Europe. The vegan market is booming, vegan products line every supermarket shelf, and even traditional bakeries now offer plant-based pastries. This page explores the legal framework, everyday eating, costs, and local organisations that make plant-based living in Germany both practical and enjoyable.

The picture today

Germany today is one of the most plant-based-friendly countries in the world. Roughly 1.6 million people identify as vegan (about 2% of the population), and around 8 million are vegetarian (10%), according to estimates from ProVeg and the German Federal Statistical Office. The plant-based food market is a major driver: it was valued at over 2 billion euros in 2023 and is growing by double digits each year.

Supermarkets like REWE, Edeka, and Aldi carry an extensive range of vegan convenience products, from sausages and cheese to ice cream and yoghurt. Even discount chains like Lidl and Netto have dedicated vegan sections, and nearly every bakery offers at least one vegan option. In cities like Berlin, Cologne, and Hamburg, vegan restaurants, cafés, and street food stalls are common, with Berlin hosting one of the largest vegan restaurant scenes in Europe.

Animal welfare law

Germany's animal welfare law, the Tierschutzgesetz, has been in place since 1972 and was last significantly amended in 2014. This amendment banned the conventional battery cage for hens, improved pig housing standards, and restricted the use of certain painful procedures without anaesthesia. However, factory farming remains widespread, and animal welfare organisations criticise gaps in enforcement and legal loopholes.

There is no legal definition of veganism in German law, but the Federal Constitutional Court has ruled that veganism can fall under the right to freedom of conscience (Article 4 of the Basic Law). This means that, in certain contexts, vegans may be exempt from mandatory animal-derived products, such as specific workplace provisions. However, this protection has not yet been interpreted broadly in everyday situations.

Key welfare milestones

Eating plant-based here

German cuisine already offers many naturally plant-based dishes, even if they are not always labelled as such. Traditional breads like Vollkornbrot and pumpernickel are usually vegan, as are potato salads, dumplings (Kartoffelklöße), and soups such as lentil soup (Linsensuppe) or pumpkin soup. Fermented cabbage, known as Sauerkraut, is also typically vegan and served as a side dish.

Supermarket staples

• Plant milks – oat, soy, almond, and pea milk are stocked in every major supermarket, often next to dairy.
• Vegan meats – brands like Rügenwalder Mühle, Beyond Meat, and local newcomers offer convincing tofu or seitan-based sausages, schnitzels, and burgers.
• Cheese and spreads – vegan cheese slices, cream cheese, and butter are common, with many produced in Germany.
• Ready meals – refrigerated vegan curries, pizzas, and bowls are standard.

City hotspots

• Berlin – The vegan capital, with over 600 vegan or vegan-friendly restaurants and a famous vegan food festival.
• Cologne – Known for its vegan Kölsch bars and the annual Veggieday event.
• Munich – While Bavarian, many beer gardens now offer vegan items, and the city has a growing vegan fine-dining scene.
• Freiburg – A smaller city, but with a high density of vegan cafés and an active vegan community.

Cost of living plant-based

Eating plant-based in Germany is generally affordable, especially if you cook from scratch. A basic meal of rice, vegetables, and tofu costs around 2 to 3 euros per serving, while ready-made vegan convenience products range from 2.50 to 4 euros per meal. Plant milks are priced at about 1 to 1.50 euros per litre, similar to dairy milk.

Eating out is also accessible: a vegan lunch menu in a regular restaurant costs about 10 to 15 euros, while fine dining can go higher. Compared to other European countries, Germany's plant-based prices are near the average, and discounts often bring vegan products close to their conventional counterparts in price.

Who to support locally

Several organisations work for animal rights and plant-based living in Germany. ProVeg Germany (formerly VEBU) is the largest vegetarian and vegan organisation, offering information, campaigns, and political advocacy. The Albert Schweitzer Foundation focuses on corporate campaigning to reduce animal product consumption, while PETA Germany is active in public outreach and legal actions.

For farmed animal rescue, organisations like Hof Butenland and Lebenshof Eichhof rescue farm animals and offer sanctuary visits. German animal welfare associations, such as the Deutsche Tierschutzbund, also address farm animal welfare but often stop short of vegan advocacy. Supporting these groups can help push for stronger legislation and cultural change.

What to watch next

Germany's plant-based movement continues to grow, with new startups, vegan factory openings, and political debates about animal welfare at the national and EU levels. The European Citizens' Initiative "End the Cage Age" gained strong support in Germany, and the EU's planned ban on caged farming (announced in 2023) is partly due to German advocacy. Watch for changes in food labelling, potential summit agreements on livestock emissions, and the expansion of vegan ranges in mainstream retailers.