How QR Codes in Germany Drive Innovation Across Industries
Germany is picturesque, with castles, bratwurst, and precision-engineered cars. But something else is quietly becoming a part of the German experience: QR codes.
The QR codes in Germany are everywhere—on transit passes in Berlin, on vaccine certificates, at a café in Hamburg, and more.
What started as a health and safety tool during the pandemic has evolved into a trusted, tech-forward feature of German life.
This blog explores how German culture, design, and mindset shape QR code adoption across industries and how brands leverage QR TIGER to create dynamic QR code experiences.
Table of Contents
- Germany leads the QR technology users' list
- Top German brands using QR TIGER QR Code Generator
- More real-life uses of QR codes in Germany
- Deutsche Bahn and BVG QR codes for ticketing
- University QR codes for campus access
- Get QR digital prescriptions with eRezept system
- Volksbank QR codes
- Hassle-free shopping at outlets and online stores
- Zalando's paper-free product returns
- Volkswagen’s QR code in automobiles
- Discover the virtual city of Minden
- QR codes on graves
- Exploring what’s next: Smart QR code ideas suitable for Germany
- Wrapping up
- FAQ
Germany leads the QR technology users' list
Germany wasn't the first European nation to adopt QR codes, but they were the smartest.
The rollout in Germany had been structured, methodical, and focused on long-term value.
The major motivation for this development was the COVID-19 pandemic. Contact tracing and vaccine QR codes became essential during the lockdown.
When convenience struck, Germans discovered that with just one scan, they could book appointments, pay for parking, board a train, or learn about an artwork in a museum.
What was once an adoption brought by a global health crisis became the turning point for Germany to evolve into a country that embraced QR code technology effectively.
It became part of bigger systems like Deutsche Bahn ticketing, eRezept prescriptions, and even festival entry.
The country’s structured approach reflects the broader QR technology use—deliberate, reliable, and designed for everyday life.
Germany's QR code market was worth $51.4 million in 2023 and is expected to grow to $124 million by 2033, maintaining a 5.5% annual growth rate.
Top German brands using QR TIGER QR Code Generator
Several top-tier German brands use QR TIGER for their QR code-related needs—and for good reason.
It offers advanced customization, scalability, and GDPR-compliant solutions that align perfectly with Germany's demand for precision and privacy.
Bauhaus
Founded in 1960, Bauhaus is a do-it-yourself (DIY) retail establishment in Germany.
When it was founded, the brand introduced a new concept to German shoppers: organizing building materials, tools, and garden supplies into clear, logical product categories.
Today, as the QR code revolution is happening worldwide, Bauhaus is relying on the QR code software to win the race.
With the help of the software, they are able to ensure their QR codes are visually aligned with their minimalist branding and, more importantly, trackable and editable.
Euronics
In a country that values reliability over hype, Euronics is a major player in the electronics space.
With over 1000 outlets in Germany, this corporate retail giant offers everything from smartphones and smart TVs to kitchen appliances.
By generating QR codes using the best QR code generator, Euronics strongly upholds its vision of local service, transparency, and expert advice.
They are able to create branded, secure, and flexible QR experiences that uphold data privacy while making shopping smoother.
More real-life uses of QR codes in Germany
Germany is one of the developed nations in the world. Mainly known for their manufacturing and automobile industries, German brands are popular for luxury, class, style, and practicality.
Here is an industry-wise classification of how Germans use QR codes.
Deutsche Bahn and BVG QR codes for ticketing
QR codes play a big role in keeping the German public transport system efficient by making ticketing paperless.
Apps like Deutsche Bahn, and BVG all issue e-tickets embedded with QR codes. Passengers can book tickets through these apps, scan them at turnstiles, or show them to conductors.
This speeds up the boarding process and avoids unwanted bottlenecks on platforms.
University QR codes for campus access
Germany is famous for their educational institutions. As centers for learning, universities in the country are using advanced digital tools like QR codes.
They are used for everything from class attendance to library access and exam registration. Students can scan the codes to access various facilities offered by the administration.
Berlin universities, Freie Universität Berlin) and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, for example, provide students with personal QR codes that they can use to activate or extend the validity of their campus cards and access facilities.
Get QR digital prescriptions with eRezept system
By integrating QR codes in Germany, its healthcare system meets very high standards.
For instance, through the eRezept system, patients now receive digital prescriptions that can be scanned at any pharmacy.
During the pandemic, QR codes powered the Corona-Warn-App, helping in tracking virus exposures while protecting privacy.
The COVID QR codes, which contain a globally unique identifier (GUID), played a vital role in helping citizens access public spaces safely during the pandemic.
Volksbank QR codes
Germans were once skeptical about digital payments. But QR codes have slowly built their trust.
Banks like Volksbank offer EPC (European Payments Council) QR code-enabled transfers and account set up options.
More and more retailers are also using Giropay or PayPal QR codes.
QR codes in banking and finance are used not just for transactions but also for onboarding, security verification, digital documentation, and mobile banking app downloads.
Hassle-free shopping at outlets and online stores
When you walk into a German electronics shop or supermarket, you can find QR codes on shelves, receipts, and packaging, offering price comparisons, nutrition information, or digital manuals.
Popular retail outlets like MediaMarkt use QR codes for virtual product demos and quick tech support.
To make it easier for people to download their mobile app where they can browse and shop conveniently, MediaMarkt uses an app QR code for quicker downloads. Their mobile app supports QR code scanning to further enhance the customer experience.
Zalando's paper-free product returns
Zalando is an international online retailer based in Berlin. The brand has introduced a paper-free system for returning products.
The customers can find the option to create a QR code in the return flow in their account. If the user completes the return flow without creating a QR code, they will not be able to create one later.
They can show the QR code to the carrier when they drop off the parcel. The carrier will print the return label and attach it to the return parcel.
The increasing use of QR codes in retail is keeping up with the global QR code scanning trends in retail and e-commerce industries.
Volkswagen’s QR code in automobiles
Automotive is the industry in which QR codes truly shine in Germany. They are vital tools in a country known for its industrial prowess.
QR code in manufacturing helps streamline production processes and reduce manual tracking errors.
Major automotive players like Volkswagen leverage QR codes by placing them on the hood and both rear passenger windows. According to VW’s press release, they “provide an interface between the physical and digital worlds.”
Other automotive giants also follow suit in embedding dynamic QR code in automobiles’ parts and components for easier tracking and real-time updates.
Discover the virtual city of Minden
As part of the digital Minden project, the city is linking “hardware" in real public spaces with the “software“ in virtual public spaces.
QR code, built-into the city street cobbles, tourist-oriented signposting and printed products for tourists, form a broad network throughout the entire public space of Minden’s town centre.
Among other things, QR codes also enable visitors to click on information about individual quarters in the town centre.
QR codes on graves
A gardening business company tasked with cleaning and maintaining the cemetery's grave at Waldfriedhof, Sendlinger Friedhof, and Friedhof Solln cemeteries placed QR code stickers on certain headstones to keep their work organized.
The company’s maintenance process involved dismantling and transporting the headstones to their facilities. There, any stains are sanded down before returning the stone to its rightful place.
Placing the QR codes that contain the name of the person buried helped the gardeners keep track of which gravestones had undergone maintenance and which still needed attention.
Exploring what’s next: Smart QR code ideas suitable for Germany
QR codes have already earned their space in the German lifestyle. However, there are more areas left to be explored, especially where function, trust, and cultural alignment intersect.
Here’s what the government, brands, organizations, and individuals can use QR codes for:
Green consumerism with QR codes
German households value sustainability. To successfully promote QR codes in the country, brands and organizations must prioritize subtlety, function, and user trust over flashy innovation.
They can use QR codes on product packaging to offer deeper transparency such as environmental certifications, recycling instructions, or carbon footprint data.
Brands can also use QR codes to promote new offers or any special seasonal discounts.
Localized public service
Government bodies can embed QR codes on benches, bus stops, or notice boards to provide real-time information about public services and new implementations.
Information shared using such QR codes can be details such as traffic updates, construction timelines, or community announcements.
This service would be a hit among citizens, everyday commuters, and tourists alike.
Use QR codes for cultural preservation
The role of the QR code in Germany has evolved from a convenience tool to an essential part of daily digital interactions.
At historical landmarks, QR codes can be linked to audio guides, archival footage, or digital reconstructions. The information can be shared in multiple languages, making it accessible for tourists.
Berlin’s museums, or smaller town cathedrals and castles could also benefit from rich, layered storytelling.
More importantly, providing such services under the tourism industry can unlock a new line of work. Since curating historical details of a heritage site is not an easy job, it will require a team with expertise and skills.
QR codes for ethical advertising practices
Instead of flashy billboards, QR code stickers can be placed on bike paths or coffee shop counters that link to locally relevant ads, coupons, or public-interest stories.
Businesses can also create QR code menu for restaurants to offer a contactless and efficient dining experience, now expected by many German consumers.
This soft sell approach can offer value instead of noise for the German citizens.
Place QR codes at health and wellness centers
The widespread use of QR codes for COVID vaccine in Germany helped normalize scanning as a secure and efficient way to access personal records.
Learning from this experience, QR codes can be placed in pharmacies, yoga studios, or health food stores that can include scan-to-learn features such as nutrition info, exercise tutorials, or medication FAQs.
Customers will not have to rely on salespersons for getting valuable information.
Wrapping up
While the rest of the world is chasing trends, QR codes in Germany are thoughtful, efficient, privacy-conscious, and well-designed.
These scannable squares power a digital revolution, from manufacturing floors to museum walls, blending tradition and trust with modernity.
For QR TIGER, staying committed in helping German brands and organizations lead the way with secure, beautifully branded, and adaptable QR code solutions.
If you’re up to it, try our QR code software today and bring transformation to your country or industry through this technology.
FAQ
Do QR codes work in Europe?
Yes, QR codes work in Europe. Many European countries have adopted QR codes in industries such as healthcare, public transport, retail, and tourism.
Which country uses QR codes the most?
China is by far the world leader in QR code usage.
