In 2025 the euro proved to be the most frequently used currency for German exports to countries outside the European Union, according to preliminary figures released by Germany’s Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) on Friday. 54.7 % of German export transactions were settled in euros. 26.4 % were conducted in U.S. dollars, 4.8 % in British pounds, 2.7 % in Chinese renminbi yuan, 2.4 % in Swiss francs, and the remaining 8.9 % in other currencies.
On the import side, the U.S. dollar dominated the payment landscape. 45.2 % of import transactions were paid in dollars, closely followed by 43.8 % in euros. 3.6 % of imports were settled in yuan, 2.8 % in Swiss francs, 1.7 % in pounds, and 2.9 % in other currencies.
When the data are broken down by the most important non‑EU trading partners, notable differences emerge:
” “United States” – 68.6 % of German exports were invoiced in U.S. dollars, 30.6 % in euros, and only 0.8 % in other currencies. Conversely, 78.4 % of imports from the United States were paid in dollars, 20 % in euros, and 1.7 % in other currencies.
” “China” – 61.0 % of German exports to China were invoiced in euros, 23.0 % in yuan, 15.1 % in dollars, and 0.9 % in other currencies. Imports from China were dominated by dollars (50.8 %), followed by euros (31.1 %) and yuan (16.7 %); other currencies accounted for 1.4 %.
” “United Kingdom” – The euro was the leading payment currency for German exports to the UK at 48.5 %, with 41.4 % invoiced in pounds, 8.1 % in dollars, and 2 % in other currencies. Import transactions into Germany from the UK were largely made in euros (50.3 %), with 25.9 % in dollars, 23.2 % in pounds, and just 0.6 % in other currencies.
” “Switzerland” – Exports to Switzerland were predominantly invoiced in euros (71.0 %), followed by Swiss francs (22.0 %) and dollars (4.4 %); other currencies represented only 2.6 %. Imports from Switzerland were paid mainly in euros (67 %), with Swiss francs at 23.4 %, dollars at 6.6 %, and other currencies at 3.1 %.
These figures illustrate the diverse currency preferences at the import and export ends of Germany’s trade relationships with key non‑EU partners in 2025.
