Best Grocery Delivery Services in Germany for Expats (2026)
One of the most useful things you can do as an expat in Germany (especially in your first few weeks) is figure out grocery delivery. For a direct head-to-head comparison of meal kits and grocery drop-offs, check out my analysis of HelloFresh vs REWE vs Picnic. Navigating a German supermarket with a language barrier, no car, and no idea where anything is can be genuinely stressful. Delivery solves all of that.
The good news: Germany has excellent grocery delivery options. The bad news: there are several services with very different models, and picking the wrong one wastes money. This guide breaks down every major option so you can choose what actually fits your life.
Choose Your Grocery Delivery Route
- You want the cheapest weekly delivery: Focus on true grocery services first, not meal-kit marketing.
- You want less supermarket stress: Pick the service that matches how you actually shop, full basket, top-up items, or planned recipes.
- You are comparing HelloFresh to REWE or Picnic: Separate meal planning from grocery fulfilment or you will compare the wrong costs.
- You want the shortest route: Use this guide to pick the model, then jump to the direct brand comparison.
Same-Day Grocery Delivery in Germany: Which Service Should You Try First?
If you searched for grocery delivery in Germany or same-day grocery delivery, the fastest way to decide is to separate three different use cases: a full weekly shop, emergency top-ups, and meal planning. They look similar in Google, but they solve different problems.
| Use case | Best first option | Why it fits | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full weekly grocery basket | REWE Lieferservice or Picnic | Better for normal supermarket items, fresh food, drinks and household basics. | Delivery slots and postcode coverage vary heavily by city. |
| Cheapest planned delivery | Picnic | No delivery fee and route-based delivery can be cheaper for regular weekly shopping. | Usually not instant; you plan around available routes. |
| Emergency top-up | Flink or other quick-commerce apps | Useful when you forgot milk, coffee, drinks or snacks and need them quickly. | Usually more expensive than supermarkets and not ideal for a large basket. |
| No meal planning stress | Marley Spoon or HelloFresh | Better when the hard part is deciding what to cook, not buying individual groceries. | Meal kits are not the cheapest way to buy basic staples. |
Why Expats Love Grocery Delivery in Germany
Beyond the obvious convenience, delivery is especially valuable for expats because:
- You can browse product names in peace (no queue pressure)
- Apps often have English interfaces or translate product names
- No car required: most Germans don’t own one in cities
- You can compare prices without standing in an aisle
- Easier to stick to a budget: you see the total before checkout
The Best Grocery Delivery Services in Germany (2026)
1. Picnic: Best for Budget-Conscious Expats
Picnic is a Dutch-origin delivery service that has expanded across Germany and is now available in most major cities. What makes Picnic stand out is simple: no delivery fee. Zero. The model works because Picnic uses fixed delivery routes, you pick a time slot that fits their schedule in your area, not a custom slot.
Key facts:
- No delivery fee on all orders
- Clean, easy-to-use app (also available in English)
- Competitive prices, similar to Rewe or Edeka
- Minimum order: €35
- Delivery is next-day or scheduled: not instant
- Not available in all regions (check app for your postcode)
Best for: Expats in major cities who plan their weekly shop in advance and want to save on delivery fees.
2. REWE Lieferservice: Best Full Supermarket Experience
REWE is Germany’s second-largest supermarket chain, and their delivery service is one of the most established in the country. You’re essentially shopping in a full REWE supermarket online, same products, same prices, delivered to your door.
Key facts:
- Full REWE product range (including fresh meat, bakery, organic)
- Delivery fee: €3.90–€5.90 depending on time slot and order size
- Free delivery on orders over €75 (varies by region)
- Can choose 2-hour delivery windows
- REWE loyalty card (Payback) accepted
- Available in most German cities
Best for: Expats who already shop at REWE and want the same experience at home, or those who need a wide product selection including fresh and specialty items.
3. HelloFresh: Best for Meal Planning Without the Stress
HelloFresh isn’t a traditional grocery delivery service, it’s a meal kit service. Every week you choose recipes from a menu, and HelloFresh delivers pre-portioned fresh ingredients with step-by-step recipe cards. No measuring, no food waste, no figuring out what to cook.
Key facts:
- Recipe boxes for 2 or 4 people, 2–5 meals per week
- Prices from around €4.99–€7.99 per serving
- Wide variety including vegetarian, family, and quick options
- Recipe cards available in German (app has English support)
- Flexible subscription: pause or cancel anytime
- Delivery included in the price
Best for: Expats who want to avoid the “what do I cook?” problem, reduce food waste, and cook fresh without spending hours planning meals. Also great for learning German food culture through recipes.
4. Flink: Best for Instant Delivery (Under 10 Minutes)
Flink is a quick-commerce service operating in major German cities (Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt and more). The idea: a small urban warehouse near you fulfils orders in under 10 minutes. It’s not cheap, and the product range is limited, but when you urgently need something it’s unbeatable.
Key facts:
- Delivery in ~10 minutes in covered areas
- Curated range of ~2,000 products (essentials, snacks, drinks)
- Prices slightly higher than supermarket
- Delivery fee: ~€1.80 per order, free above a threshold
- App available in English
- Available in larger cities only
Best for: Urgent top-ups, forgot milk, need drinks for guests, ran out of coffee. Not for the weekly big shop.
5. Amazon Fresh: Best if You’re Already an Amazon Prime Member
Amazon Fresh is available in select German cities and requires an Amazon Prime membership. If you’re already paying for Prime, it’s worth knowing about, you get grocery delivery at no extra delivery fee above a certain order size.
Key facts:
- Requires Amazon Prime (€8.99/month)
- Free delivery on orders over €40 for Prime members
- Good range including branded products, fresh produce, Amazon pantry
- Available in Berlin, Hamburg, Munich and a few other cities
- Same-day or next-day delivery options
Best for: Expats who already use Amazon Prime and live in a covered city.
6. Marley Spoon: Best Premium Meal Kit for Expats Who Love Cooking
Marley Spoon is a German-founded meal kit service (now operating worldwide) that positions itself as the premium alternative to HelloFresh. Where HelloFresh focuses on quick and convenient weeknight meals, Marley Spoon leans into more ambitious, chef-inspired recipes with higher-quality ingredients and larger portion sizes.
Key facts:
- 2–4 people, 2–5 recipes per week: fully flexible
- Prices from around €6–9 per serving (slightly above HelloFresh)
- More varied, restaurant-style recipes: fewer “30-minute classics”, more interesting dishes
- App available in English with easy account management
- Pause, skip, or cancel at any time: no penalty
- Ships nationwide across Germany
Best for: Expats who enjoy cooking as a hobby, not just a chore, and want more variety and quality than a standard HelloFresh box. If you cook 3–4 times a week and want to properly explore German and European cuisine, Marley Spoon is worth trying.
Try Marley Spoon Germany
New customers get a significant discount on their first boxes. Try premium, chef-inspired recipes delivered weekly with high-quality fresh ingredients.
Quick Comparison Table
| Service | Best For | Delivery Fee | Speed | English App? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Picnic | Budget weekly shop | Free | Next day (fixed route) | Yes |
| REWE Lieferservice | Full supermarket range | €3.90–€5.90 | Same/next day | Partial |
| HelloFresh | Meal planning | Included | Weekly delivery | Yes |
| Flink | Urgent top-ups | ~€1.80 | ~10 minutes | Yes |
| Marley Spoon | Premium meal kits | Included | Weekly delivery | Yes |
| Amazon Fresh | Prime members | Free above €40 | Same/next day | Yes |
Which Service Should You Use?
It depends on what you actually need:
- Saving money on your weekly shop → Picnic (no delivery fee, competitive prices)
- You want everything in one place → REWE Lieferservice (full supermarket, trusted brand)
- You hate meal planning → HelloFresh (recipes + ingredients, no thinking required)
- Emergency top-up → Flink (10-minute delivery in major cities)
- Already on Amazon Prime → Amazon Fresh (no extra cost above €40 orders)
- You love cooking ambitious recipes → Marley Spoon (premium ingredients, chef-inspired dishes, English app)
Many expats actually combine two: Picnic for the big weekly shop, and Flink for urgent needs during the week. HelloFresh alongside Picnic is also a popular combo, meal kits for 3 evenings, regular groceries for the rest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which grocery delivery service is the cheapest in Germany?
Picnic is generally the cheapest option as it matches local supermarket prices (like Edeka) and has free delivery with a low minimum order value of €35–40.
Do grocery delivery drivers in Germany bring the bags to my door?
Yes. Most services like REWE Lieferservice, Picnic, and Knuspr will carry your crates all the way up to your flat door, even if you live on the fourth floor of an Altbau without an elevator.
Can I return empty deposit bottles (Pfand) to the delivery driver?
Yes, major delivery services like Picnic, Knuspr, and REWE Lieferservice will take your empty deposit bottles and crates back. They calculate the refund value and credit it directly to your customer account for your next purchase.
How far in advance do I need to book a delivery slot?
For services like Picnic and REWE, slots can fill up quickly, so booking 2–3 days in advance is wise. For instant-delivery services or premium options like Knuspr, same-day delivery slots are often available within a few hours.
Disclaimer: Expatzentrum is an informational portal designed to help expats navigate life in Germany. While we make every effort to keep our guides accurate, up-to-date, and compliant with current German regulations, the information on this website does not constitute official legal, tax, or financial advice. We are not certified tax advisors (Steuerberater) or legal practitioners. Always consult a qualified professional or the relevant German authorities (such as the Finanzamt or Deutsche Rentenversicherung) before making major financial or legal decisions.
