Germany

Kanzlei Dr. Oehler, Germany – Global Accounting Alliance Member

Economic Overview & Business Opportunities

As the Europe’s largest economy and the world’s fourth-largest economy, Germany is one of the most attractive business locations in the world. The country’s GDP constitutes one-fifth of European GDP, and is home to 16 percent of the total European Union (EU) population. Between 2010 and 2015, EU-28 real GDP grew at around one percent. During the same period, the German economy grew at a rate of around two percent, with Germany’s real GDP growth rate higher than that of France and Italy. The German government expects an upswing of 1.7 percent in 2016.

The German economy is both highly industrialized and diversified where it has a welcoming attitude towards foreign direct investment. And, it ranks among the world’s leading nations for foreign direct investments with EUR 1 trillion in inward FDI stocks in 2015 where it depicts a growth of 138 percent since 2000. Furthermore, Germany is widely considered as the economic stabilizing force in Europe where the market is open for investment in practically all industry sectors, and business activities are free from regulations restricting the everyday business.

There is no distinction between Germans and foreign nationals regarding investments or the establishment of companies in Germany laws. In Germany, the legal framework for FDI favours the principle of freedom of foreign trade and payment. Also, the capital transactions or currency transfers, as well as the real estate purchases in Germany, are not subjected to any restrictions or barriers.

There is a saying that every second euro earned in Germany is generated from an international business transaction. Germany is one of the most sustainable industrial countries. More and more foreign investors are gaining confidence in Germany [as a vital production site location] due to the country’s excellent business framework and superior productivity rates.

Dr. Ralph Oehler

Gerhard Winkler