Germany

Investing

FDI in figures

With 439 billion EUR, Germany is an attractive country for foreign direct investment.

Foreign Direct Investment	2004	2005	2006
FDI of inward flow (millions USD)	-9,195	35,867	42,870
FDI inward stock (millions USD)	n.c.	n.c.	502,376.0
Performance Index*, world ranking	110	124	125
Potential Index**, world ranking	8	6	n.c.
Number of Greenfield investments	264	270	332
FDI inwards (in % of GFCF)	-1.9	7.5	8.3
FDI stock (in % of GDP)	n.c.	n.c.	17.4

Source: UNCTAD, World Investment Report

Note: * The UNCTAD Inward FDI Performance index is based on a ratio of the country's share in global FDI inflows and its share in global GDP. ** The UNCTAD Inward FDI Potential index is based on 12 economic and structural variables such as GDP, foreign trade, FDI, infrastructures, energy use, R&D, education, country risk.

Why you should choose Germany

Strong points: Strong productivity, excellent workforce, innovation.
Weak points: Public finances are stucturally greatly in deficit. The eastern part of the country is struggling to make up its backwardness in many fields. The ageing population weighs heavily on growth.
Bilateral investment conventions signed by Germany: Germany has signed many bilateral agreements.
To see the list of countries, click here.
To see the conventions, click here.

Administrative procedures relative to foreign investment

Freedom of establishment: Yes
Acquisition of holdings: Foreign investors may have a majority holding in the capital of a local company.
Obligation to declare: The agency for the promotion of foreign investment in the country gives information about the authorizations necessary for setting up.
Competent organization for the declaration