🇩🇪 Germany · Investment
Foreign investment rules, incentives, investment promotion agencies, and restricted sectors.
Quick answer
Germany actively welcomes foreign investment through Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI), with free movement of capital and no exchange controls. Investments in critical or security-sensitive sectors can be screened by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs; incentives include regional grants (GRW) and an R&D tax allowance.
Inward investment is supported by Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI); foreign investments in sensitive sectors are screened under the Foreign Trade and Payments Act by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs.
- GTAI offers free advisory support to companies investing in Germany.
- Acquisitions in sensitive sectors may require clearance under the investment-screening rules.
- Most investment incentives are delivered at federal and state (Land) level.
Step-by-step
- 1
Check the investment regime
Germany welcomes FDI with free movement of capital; GTAI provides advice and support to investors.
- 2
Check investment screening
Acquisitions in critical infrastructure, defence or sensitive technology can be screened under the Foreign Trade and Payments Act (AWG/AWV).
- 3
Choose your vehicle and register
Set up a GmbH (or branch), register in the commercial register (Handelsregister) and with the tax office (Finanzamt).
- 4
Access incentives
Use regional investment grants (GRW), the R&D tax allowance (Forschungszulage) and EU/state programs where eligible.
- 5
Handle capital and repatriation
There are no exchange controls, so capital, dividends and profits move freely within the EU and abroad.
- 6
Meet reporting and protections
File Bundesbank statistical reports where required and keep corporate/tax filings; EU law and treaties protect investors.
Checklist
- Open regime (free capital) + GTAI support
- AWG/AWV screening (critical/security sectors)
- GmbH/branch + Handelsregister + Finanzamt
- GRW grants + R&D allowance (Forschungszulage)
- No exchange controls (free flows)
- Bundesbank reports + corporate/tax filings
- EU-law + investment-treaty protection
- CTA to .com/.ai for AI-assisted planning
Official authorities
- Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI)
Federal investment-promotion agency.
- Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs (BMWK)
Administers investment screening.
Frequently asked questions
Does Germany screen foreign investment?
Only in sensitive areas — critical infrastructure, defence and certain technologies can be screened under the AWG/AWV; most investment is unrestricted.
What incentives are available?
Regional investment grants (GRW), the R&D tax allowance (Forschungszulage), and various state and EU programs supporting jobs and innovation.
Can I repatriate profits from Germany?
Yes — Germany has no exchange controls, so dividends and capital move freely (statistical reports and withholding tax may apply).
Official-information aggregation, not legal advice. Always verify on the authority's own site.
Government portals
- Federal Government of Germany — Germany's Federal Cabinet official website — policy, legislation, news, and government programs
- Federal Office for Migration (BAMF) — German visas, EU Blue Card, asylum, integration courses, and permanent residency
- Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt) — Tax ID (IdNr) registration, tax identification lookup, withholding tax refunds — the key authority for foreign taxpayers in Germany