Proving home charging without an MID meter
Many company car drivers charge at an older wallbox without a calibrated meter, or at a household socket. Since 2026, the kWh charged still have to be documented. The good news: according to the German trade press, an MID-certified meter is not explicitly required.
What does the BMF require?
The Finance Ministry letter (BMF-Schreiben) of 11 November 2025 does not prescribe any particular metering technology. It requires traceable proof of the electricity charged, using a fixed or mobile measuring device. A self-declaration or estimate is not enough. Trade articles point out that calibrated (eichrechtskonform) or MID-certified metering is not explicitly required.
The possible sources compared
| Source | Advantage | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer's car app | No extra hardware, shows date and kWh per session | Only include home charging, remove public charging |
| On-board computer | Available directly in the car | Record the values regularly, for example with a photo |
| Wallbox with app or meter | Only measures home charging | Older wallboxes often provide no exportable data |
| Sub-meter (Zwischenzähler) | Independent of wallbox and car | Read by hand, prone to errors |
| Mobile charger with metering | Also works at a household socket | Save the readings every month |
How to document the kWh from your car app
- Open the charging history or charging statistics for the billing month in your manufacturer's app.
- Take a screenshot that shows the date and kWh for each charging session.
- Only include sessions at home. Fast chargers and public charging points do not count.
- Turn this into a monthly proof with car, number plate, period, electricity price and amount.
- Keep the screenshots in case of questions.
This is exactly what the free calculator on ladebeleg.com does: it reads the values from your screenshot right in your browser, marks fast chargers as “Away” automatically and creates the PDF.
Charging at a household socket
This works too, as long as the car's charging history is complete and shows kWh, date and time. Without a wallbox, the car app is usually the simplest source.
If your employer requires a calibrated meter
Companies may set stricter rules in their car policy than the BMF does. If it lists an MID meter as a requirement, the only option is a suitable meter or a wallbox with a metering module. Clarify this with your HR department before your first claim.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an MID meter to prove my charging electricity?
According to the trade press, the BMF letter of 11 November 2025 does not require calibrated or MID-certified metering, as long as the kWh are documented separately and traceably. Employers can set stricter rules in their car policy.
Can I use the charging history from my car app as proof?
Yes, vehicle data from the manufacturer's app counts as a possible source. Only include home charging sessions and keep the screenshots.
Can I charge at a household socket?
Yes, if the car's charging history is complete and shows kWh, date and time.
Sources: German Finance Ministry (BMF) letter of 11 November 2025; coverage in the German fleet and payroll-tax trade press. This text is not tax advice. The BMF letter and your employer's rules are what count.