International trade in services

In September 2025, the services account deficit declined by €3.4 billion on the month to €6.9 billion. Compared with the previous month, receipts (+€3 billion) rose, while expenditure fell (€-0.5 billion).

On the receipts side, receipts from fees for the use of intellectual property (+0.9 billion), including research and development (+0.6 billion), telecommunications, computer and information services (+1.6 billion), including computer services (+1.4 billion) and other business services (+0.3 billion), including technical services, increased; Commission and other services (+€0.3 billion). Receipts on travel decreased (€-0.4 billion).

On the expenditure side, expenditure on transport services (+€0.4 billion), telecommunications, computer and information services (+€0.5 billion), including computer services (+€0.7 billion) and other business services (+€0.9 billion), including research and development (+€0.4 billion) and technical services, commissions and other services (+€0.5 billion) increased. Expenditure on travel (€-2.3 billion) and fees for the use of intellectual property from research and development (€-0.3 billion) fell.

Regional breakdown

These data sets for the monthly regional breakdown cover a period of seven years and are customizable for over 70 countries and group of countries.

Download

Services by countries

12.11.2025 | 8 MB, XLSX

Longer-term developments in international trade in services

Since the financial crisis of 2009, German trade in services has recorded a steady increase in receipts and expenditure of around 7% per year. One exception is the year 2020, in which the coronavirus pandemic severely affected the global economy. As a rule, expenditure exceeds receipts, which is reflected in a negative balance of −€75 billion for 2024.

The three largest services items are “other business services”, “transport services” and “travel”. “Other business services” generate €118 billion in receipts and €139 billion in expenditure. Transport services post €91 billion in receipts and €102 billion in expenditure. Receipts from travel were €37 billion and expenditure €111 billion, resulting in a deficit of −€74 billion.

Travel, which has the highest deficit, is particularly striking. However, during the period of travel restrictions to contain the coronavirus pandemic between 2020 and 2022, the balance of travel services was much narrower and at times even positive.

On the other hand, charges for the use of intellectual property post the largest surplus. Receipts were €42 billion and expenditure €25 billion, resulting in a surplus of +€18 billion.

Explanation

International trade in services refers to the exchange of services between entities of different countries. Unlike goods trade, in which physical goods are transferred across borders, trade in services comprises intangible services such as financial services, tourism, transport, information technology and consultancy. The importance of international trade in services has increased considerably in recent decades, owing to globalisation, technological progress and market liberalisation.
One key aspect of international trade in services is its role in the global economy. Services contribute significantly to the gross domestic product (GDP) of many countries and are an important factor in economic growth and development. They promote efficiency and productivity by enabling enterprises to use specialised services that may not be available internally. In addition, services help to create jobs and improve quality of life.
The Sixth Edition of the International Monetary Fund’s Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual (BPM6) and the Manual on Statistics of International Trade in Services (MSITS 2010) provide comprehensive frameworks for recording and analysing trade in services. BPM6 defines trade in services as being part of the current account, which encompasses not only flows of services but also flows of goods, primary income and secondary income. Services are divided into different categories, including transport, travel, construction, insurance and pension services, financial services, use of intellectual property, telecommunications, computer and information services, other business services, personal, cultural and recreational services, and government services.
The MSITS 2010 complements BPM6 by providing detailed guidance on the collection and reporting of data on international trade in services. It stresses the importance of accurately recording services provided through different modes: cross-border trade, consumption abroad, commercial presence and the presence of natural persons. These modes help to understand and analyse the complexity of trade in services.