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.
Germany’s foreign direct investment stocks at the end of 2024
At year-end 2024, Germany’s outward foreign direct investment (FDI) stocks in immediate held enterprises (immediate host economy, IHE) were up only marginally on the end of 2023 in net terms, rising from €1,727 billion to €1,750 billion. As in the previous years, equity capital accounted for the bulk of this, at €1,884 billion. German investors’ foreign credit positions reduced the direct investment stocks by €134 billion on balance, as claims of €428 billion were outweighed by liabilities of €562 billion.
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 €15.1 billion in November 2025, up €0.3 billion on the previous month’s level. Although the surplus in the goods account decreased, the swing to a surplus in invisible current transactions, which comprise services as well as primary and secondary income, was slightly stronger.
Germany’s current account recorded a surplus of €18.6 billion in September 2025, up €9.1 billion on the previous month’s level. This was mainly caused by a larger goods account surplus. Another reason was the shift to a surplus in invisible current transactions, which comprise services as well as primary and secondary income.
At the end of 2024, Germany’s net external assets totalled €3,452 billion, thus amounting to around 80 % of the country’s nominal gross domestic product (GDP). Overall, both assets and liabilities vis-à-vis non-residents rose further in 2024.
Germany’s current account posted a surplus of €14.8 billion in July 2025, down €2.3 billion on the previous month’s level. The surplus in the goods account increased, but there was a stronger decline in the balance of invisible current transactions, which comprise services as well as primary and secondary income.
Germany’s current account posted a surplus of €18.6 billion in June 2025, up €11.1 billion on the previous month’s level. This was mainly attributable to the swing to a surplus in invisible current transactions, which comprise services as well as primary and secondary income. Moreover, the surplus in the goods account increased somewhat.
