Rakuten Germany Review: Stop Buying “From” It, Start Buying “Through” It

If you navigated to Rakuten Germany expecting to browse aisles of products and fill a shopping cart, stop. You are operating on outdated information. As of late 2025, the Rakuten you knewthe Amazon style marketplaceis gone.

Many shoppers are still confused by this pivot. Is it a scam? Is the site broken? No. Rakuten Germany has successfully transitioned into a pure Cashback and Loyalty portal. It is no longer a competitor to Amazon; it is a layer that sits on top of your shopping to save you money.

The Big Shift: What is Rakuten Germany in 2026?

Let’s cut the historical fluff about the “Azuchi Momoyama era.” Here is what you need to know right now.

Back in October 2020, Rakuten closed its German marketplace. They stopped holding inventory and processing direct sales. Today, the business model is strictly affiliate based. You visit Rakuten.de, click a link to a partner shop (like Saturn, Rewe, or Booking.com), and make your purchase there. Rakuten gets a commission for the referral, and they split that commission with you in the form of cashback or Rakuten Points.

The Verdict: You don’t buy from Rakuten; you buy through Rakuten.

How the System Actually Works

The mechanics are simple, but there is friction involved. You cannot just go directly to your favorite store; you must start your journey at Rakuten to trigger the tracking cookie.

• Sign Up: Create an account using your email. No bank details are needed immediately.
• Select a Shop: Choose from hundreds of partners. While older data cited thousands of shops, the current verified roster in Germany hovers around 600-700 quality retailers.
• Activate Cashback: Click the “Shop Now” button. You will be redirected to the retailer’s actual website.
• Checkout: Complete your purchase on the retailer’s site as normal. Rakuten tracks the transaction in the background.

This is particularly useful for high ticket items. For example, if you are checking PlayStation prices in Germany, clicking through Rakuten before buying your console from a major electronics retailer could net you significant points back.

Myth Busting: What Rakuten Germany Is NOT

There is a lot of “zombie data” floating around the internet regarding Rakuten’s services in Germany. Let’s clear the air using confirmed data from late 2025.

1. The “Rakuten Edy” Myth

You may read older guides claiming Rakuten Edy is available in German supermarkets. This is false. Rakuten Edy is a prepaid e money service exclusive to Japan. You cannot use it at your local Edeka or Aldi.

2. The Mobile Misconception

While Rakuten is a massive mobile carrier in Japan, Rakuten Mobile does not offer consumer SIM cards or plans in Germany. Their presence here is strictly B2B (Rakuten Symphony), providing network technology to carriers like 1&1.

Smart Shopping: Maximizing Your Account

Setting up an account takes seconds. You only need an email and password. Crucially, you do not need to link a credit card to earn points, only to receive payouts (via PayPal or bank transfer).

Pro Tip: Install the Rakuten Browser Extension. It automatically alerts you if the site you are visiting offers cashback. This prevents the “I forgot to click the link” regret that plagues most users.

The platform is especially powerful for fashion. If you are browsing the best affordable clothing stores in Germany, check if they are on Rakuten first. A 5% cashback on a new wardrobe adds up fast.

Global Reach vs. Local Reality

Rakuten is a behemoth. Globally, they have paid out billions in rewards and operate in over 30 countries. However, the German experience is leaner than the US or Japanese versions.

In the US, members enjoy perks like the Rakuten Amex card and dining rewards. In Germany, the focus is purely online. Do not expect in store cashback integration to be as seamless as it is in other markets.

However, Rakuten TV is fully active in Germany, offering VOD and FAST channels, often pre-installed on smart TVs. It’s a solid alternative if you are looking for entertainment alongside your shopping.

Is It Worth It?

If you are an online seller dealing with the complexities of Amazon FBA Germany, Rakuten won’t help you sell. But if you are a consumer, it is free money. The friction of clicking one extra link is worth the 2% to 10% return on purchases you were going to make anyway.

Contacting Support

Since there are no physical goods sold by Rakuten, most support queries relate to missing points. If your cashback doesn’t track, contact them directly:

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: +49 (0)951 408 39 100 (Mon Fri 08:00-18:30)