Net foreign assets expand to €3.66 trillion in 2025
Germany's net international investment position rose by €211.5 billion to €3,661.1 billion at the end of 2025, according to Deutsche Bundesbank data. Cross-border capital transactions drove the expansion despite negative valuation effects.
Capital transactions offset exchange rate losses
Total German external assets rose to €14,424.3 billion at the end of 2025 from €13,819.2 billion in 2024, while external liabilities expanded to €10,763.2 billion from €10,369.6 billion.
The resulting net foreign asset position widened by €211.5 billion.
Cross-border financial transactions added €823.2 billion to gross assets and €539.6 billion to liabilities, generating a net capital export of €283.6 billion.
However, total valuation effects reduced the net balance by €135.4 billion.
Negative currency exchange rate movements subtracted €228.2 billion, which was partially compensated by positive market price gains of €92.9 billion and other adjustments of €63.3 billion.
Portfolio and deposit holdings shift balances
Portfolio investment remained the largest component of Germany's external balance sheet, with foreign assets reaching €4,945.9 billion against foreign liabilities of €3,946.7 billion.
Net claims in other investment rose to €1,235.1 billion, driven by €804.0 billion in net currency and deposit balances.
Direct investment assets closed at €3,073.4 billion against €2,200.4 billion in foreign direct investment in Germany.
Reserve assets grew to €481.8 billion by year-end.
Surpluses burdened by currency friction
Germany's expanding net foreign wealth confirms its persistent role as a major global capital exporter.
However, currency losses of €228 billion expose the structural vulnerability of accumulated external claims.
Piling up cross-border surpluses provides questionable value if foreign exchange volatility continually erodes the real returns.
Source: Das deutsche Auslandsvermögen Ende 2025
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