Doing business with Germany

Do you want to do business with Germany? The business culture is a little different than in the Netherlands. Germans like clear agreements and prefer to speak German. They follow the rules when dealing with each other and have clear expectations. So make sure you are well prepared. This will help you avoid mistakes and increase your chances of success.

Latest news

The Netherlands and Germany remain important trading partners

In 2025, trade between the Netherlands and Germany amounted to almost €211 billion. Dutch exports to Germany amounted to almost €98 billion. Dutch entrepreneurs imported €113 billion  worth of goods from Germany. This puts the Netherlands in the top 3 of Germany's most important trading partners, alongside China and the United States.

Germany invests in Tennet

Germany is buying a stake in high-voltage grid operator Tennet Germany. The German government is paying around €3.3 billion for a 25.1% stake. The Netherlands is selling this stake because a lot of money is needed to renew the network. After the sale, the Netherlands will remain involved in the business.

Trade with Germany 

Germany is traditionally known as an industrial powerhouse with strong automotive and machinery sectors. Over the years, the German services sector has also grown, with the business services, logistics, and telecom sectors being notable examples. 

German industry has been under pressure for some time. The automotive sector in particular is struggling. Chinese competition is increasing and American import duties are affecting the sector.

Promising sectors 

There are opportunities for Dutch entrepreneurs. Germans appreciate Dutch design, especially in the sectors of sustainable mobility, energy, and hydrogen. The Netherlands has many trade fairs for virtually all sectors. Visiting a trade fair will give you insight into the German market. Check this overview of trade fairs.

Prepare well for doing business with Germans. Make sure you have a German-language website, manuals, and brochures. Many Germans understand English, but prefer to speak German.

The Federal Statistical Office of Germany has more information and current figures about Germany. 

Put agreements in writing

Germans value clear agreements and certainty. They expect you to do what you promise. Reliability helps you do business. So, put agreements with German partners in writing. For example, in your general terms and conditions, a contract or price quotation.

For example, you make agreements about:

• Products, services, and prices.
• The method of payment.
• Who pays for and arranges transport.
• Under which Incoterms® the delivery will take place.

Ensure that your business correspondence complies with German rules (in German). Have a lawyer with knowledge of German law review this. Hire a certified translator to translate legal documents.

Want to avoid problems? Ask your German partner for written consent to your price quotation or general terms and conditions.

Importing goods

Do you buy goods from a german supplier? This is an intra-community purchase. You do not need an import declaration and will not have to pay import duties. Usually you pay VAT in the Netherlands. 

If you import excise or consumption tax goods from Germany into the Netherlands, different rules may apply. For alcohol or tobacco, for example. When importing a passenger car, motorcycle, or van from Germany you pay BPM tax and VAT.

The Dutch tax authorities have a dedicated page on paying VAT on  specific imported goods (in Dutch) and in special situations. 

Exporting goods 

Do you sell your products to German customers? Then you are making an intra-Community export There are no border controls for goods within the EU. You do not need to make an export declaration. And your customer does not pay import duties.

Your German customer pays the VAT in Germany. This is only possible if you both have a valid VAT identification number. Does your customer not have a VAT ID? Then you must include Dutch VAT on your invoice.

Are you supplying excise goods? Then separate rules apply. Your German customer usually pays the excise duty. Check with the Customs Administration of the Netherlands in advance to find out how this works.

When you export excise goods, your German customer has to pay  excise duty. There are different rules on VAT on excise goods. For more information about excise duties and  other consumption taxes, visit the website of the German customs authorities (in German). 

Product rules and regulations 

The Netherlands and Germany follow many EU rules. However, there are important differences. Check in advance whether you comply with German law. Otherwise, you may face heavy fines. Examples of differences are:

• The Produktsicherheitsgesetz (ProdSG, in German). This product safety law harmonises safety standards for all (consumer) products. It lays down specific labelling requirements to ensure product and supplier traceability.
• Product or warranty requirements may vary. Germany has a DIN standard which imposes stricter requirements. In the Netherlands, products need only meet the  NEN standard . If you want to sell the same product in Germany, it will have to comply with the DIN standard and the NEN standard. 
• When exporting  plants, vegetables, fruit, or plant products (in Dutch) or  animals or animal products (in Dutch) to Germany, check whether additional provisions apply. If you want to sell medications to Germany, you usually need an export certificate from  Farmatec (in Dutch).
• The sale of electrical or electronic devices in Germany is governed by the Elektrogesetz (in German). You must register with the Stiftung Elektro-geräte Register (EAR, in German) before you place products on the market. With B2C sales you are also responsible for paying the costs of collecting and disposing of electrical and electronic devices.
• Germany has a separate law for batteries: the Batteriedurchführungsgesetz or BattDG (in German). Register your business in advance with EAR. And notify the organisation for producer responsibility, theOrganisation für Herstellerverantwortung(OfH, in German). You are responsible for the collection and recycling of these batteries.
• Under the VerpackGesetz (VerpackG)  German packaging law (in Dutch), the first party (Erstinverkehrbringer), to place the products and packaging on the German market, is responsible for collecting and recycling the packaging. Register in advance in the LUCID Register.
• Do you market single-use plastics? For example, take-away packaging for food or drinks? Then you must contribute to the Einwegkunststofffonds. Register your business in advance in the DIVID register. This registration is in addition to the previous registration for German packaging legislation.

Services 

Dutch service providers may also offer their services in Germany, even if they do not have a German branch. As in the Netherlands, you are not allowed to practice any profession you want without the necessary qualifications in Germany. Professions such as photographer, consultant, or copywriter are liberal professions, which means you do not need a degree or licence.

In Germany, there are many protected professions that require specific qualifications, such as bakers, construction workers, or hairdressers. You also need a licence (in German). You can prove your professional competence for this with an EU declaration from KVK. 

Labour law 

If you or an employee is going to work in Germany temporarily, check in advance whether you have to report this digitally to the Finanzkontrolle Schwarzarbeit of the German customs authorities (in German). When working on German territory, German labour law, or Arbeitnehmer-Entsendegesetz (AEntG) applies. This means you have to comply with German rules (in German) on minimum wages, minimum amount of paid leave, and health, safety, and hygiene conditions at work. 

Read more about what you need to arrange if you provide services abroad. For example, for taxes, VAT, social security and other insurance.

Finding partners 

Germans prefer communicating with national business partners or companies, so you might find it easier to land new business if you hire German staff. You could also work with a local  distributor or commercial agent, sell products on a  shopping site, or start your own  local branch (in Dutch). 

Business culture 

Both the Dutch and Germans appreciate clear communication and punctuality. But there are also differences. For example, Germans rarely make important decisions suddenly. These must be substantiated with data. As a result, negotiations sometimes take longer.