Black Friday 2026 in Germany: how to tell a real discount from a fake one
Black Friday falls on 27 November 2026 and Cyber Monday on 30 November; many shops start a 'Black Week' days earlier. Not every crossed-out price is a real saving. Since 2022, German law requires shops that advertise a price reduction to state the lowest price of the previous 30 days – this is the number to compare.
1. Know the 30-day rule
Under § 11 of the German Price Indication Ordinance (PAngV), a shop announcing a price reduction must show the lowest price it charged in the 30 days before the reduction. The discount should be measured against that price, not against an old list price. The Court of Justice of the EU confirmed this on 26 September 2024 (case C-330/23, Aldi Süd): an advertised percentage must be calculated from the 30-day lowest price.
2. Write down prices now
Note the current price of the items you plan to buy, or take a screenshot. If the 'deal' price in November is higher than or equal to what you saw in October, it is no deal.
3. Check the real discount
Enter the deal price, the crossed-out price and the 30-day lowest price into our free discount check. It shows the advertised and the real discount side by side.
4. Using ChatGPT or Gemini? Check the answer
According to a YouGov survey (October 2026), about half of the Germans planning to shop on Black Friday want to use AI tools, mostly to find the best price and to check whether a discount is real. AI answers can be outdated or wrong on prices: open the shop page yourself and compare the deal price with the 30-day lowest price shown there.
5. Be careful with 'RRP' and 'UVP'
A comparison with the manufacturer's recommended retail price (UVP) is not a price reduction in the sense of the 30-day rule. Many products are never sold at UVP, so the saving looks larger than it is.
6. Don't pay a deal with debt
From 20 November 2026, new rules apply to buy-now-pay-later and small loans. A 0% instalment plan is only free if the cash price is the same – check before you confirm.
7. Use your right of withdrawal
For online purchases you can usually withdraw within 14 days without giving reasons. Check the return conditions and who pays return shipping before you order.
Set a budget before Black Week starts and buy only what was on your list anyway – a 30% discount on something you didn't need still costs 70%.