(Last updated: 21 Mar 2012)
Market profile
Doing Business
Germany is a free enterprise market where no business sectors exclusively dominated by the State. It is a cosmopolitan market where 22,000 foreign businesses are located including the 500 largest companies in the world.
More information on doing business in Germany
Country Profile
Content supplied by Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- ECONOMIC CLIMATE
Germany is the world's fourth biggest economy and largest exporter. It is a major economy within European Union, which continues to develop greater integration between member states and openness to external trade.
» read more at DFAT
- TRADE RELATIONS
As the largest single unit in the European Union (EU), and with the EU as its principal economic partner, Germany continues to be a strong proponent of closer European integration.
» read more at DFAT
- POLITICAL CLIMATE
Germany is a strong consensual and stable democracy which has been consolidated over the last six decades. Germany occupies a strong, and increasingly influential, voice within the European Union.
» read more at DFAT
Industries
For industries in bold, Austrade is able to offers a full suite of services
Top Business Risks
OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises
Multinational Enterprises should be aware of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises that provide voluntary principles and standards for responsible business behaviour in a variety of areas, consistent with applicable domestic laws. These Guidelines are endorsed and promoted by the Australian Government. For more information, go to the AusNCP website.
Bilateral agreements
Australia has social security agreements with several countries that address the issue of 'double super coverage' for employees sent to work overseas. To take advantage of these agreements, Australian employers sending employees overseas to work must apply to the Tax Office for a Certificate of coverage.
For more details, please visit the Australian Taxation Office website.