In 2025 the euro was the most common currency for German exports outside the EU, covering 54.7 % of all export transactions. The United States dollar followed with 26.4 %, the pound sterling 4.8 %, the Chinese renminbi 2.7 %, and the Swiss franc 2.4 %; the remaining 8.9 % were paid in other currencies.
On the import side the U.S. dollar dominated, accounting for 45.2 % of all imports from non‑EU partners. The euro made up 43.8 %, the renminbi 3.6 %, the Swiss franc 2.8 %, and the pound sterling 1.7 %; only 2.9 % used other currencies.
Country‑specific patterns show greater variation.
” “United States” – exports to the U.S. were priced 68.6 % in dollars and 30.6 % in euros, with a mere 0.8 % in other currencies; imports from the U.S. were paid 78.4 % in dollars, 20 % in euros, and 1.7 % in other currencies.
” “China” – exports to China were largely settled in euros (61 %), followed by 23 % in renminbi and 15.1 % in dollars, with only 0.9 % in other currencies; imports from China were largely in dollars (50.8 %), then euros (31.1 %), renminbi (16.7 %), and 1.4 % in other currencies.
” “United Kingdom” – German exports appeared 48.5 % in euros, 8.1 % in dollars, and 41.4 % in pounds, with 2 % in other currencies; imports from the U.K. were 50.3 % in euros, 25.9 % in dollars, 23.2 % in pounds, and 0.6 % in other currencies.
” “Switzerland” – exports were 71 % in euros, 22 % in Swiss francs, 4.4 % in dollars, and 2.6 % in other currencies; imports from Switzerland were mainly in euros (67 %), followed by Swiss francs (23.4 %) and dollars only 6.6 %, with 3.1 % in other currencies.