Germany’s current account recorded a surplus of €23.6 billion in March 2026. This was €3.1 billion up on the previous month’s level. The goods account surplus decreased, but the surplus in invisible current transactions, which comprise services as well as primary and secondary income, increased more strongly.

on the topic of Direct investments

The German current account recorded a surplus of €20.0 billion in February 2026. This was €3.9 billion up on the previous month’s level. 

The external assets of the banks (more than 2 trillion euros) are significantly higher than the external liabilities.

Data can be reported based on one of two principles. When applying the asset/liability principle (ALP), FDI assets and liabilities are reported in gross terms. This principle is consistent with the international requirements for compiling the balance of payments and the stock statistics for the international investment position.

Germany’s current account recorded a surplus of €17.1 billion in January 2026, slightly down on the previous month’s level. Although the surplus in the goods account increased, the surplus in invisible current transactions, which comprise services as well as primary and secondary income, declined slightly more sharply. 

Germany’s current account recorded a surplus of €16.1 billion in December 2025, up €1.9 billion on the previous month’s level. Although the surplus in the goods account decreased, the surplus in invisible current transactions, which comprise services as well as primary and secondary income, increased more strongly.

In response to financial crises since the 1990s, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has developed standards to promote data transparency and support the credibility of statistical systems.