Your top questions about industries in Germany
Find answers to common questions about Germany’s main industries, investment chances and growth opportunities.
Looking for your next big breakthrough? Germany’s main industries lead with global market power and research-driven innovation. Place your business where tomorrow’s economy is being shaped – right in the heart of Europe.
Germany’s leading industries form a powerful ecosystem, offering your business unique opportunities where expertise, innovation and support converge. Discover your advantage.
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Find answers to common questions about Germany’s main industries, investment chances and growth opportunities.
Automotive, mechanical engineering, chemical and electrical industry remain the backbone of Germany’s industries – while healthcare, energy and environmental technologies are driving the next wave of growth. Germany is also investing heavily in its digital economy, with a growing demand in B2B tech solutions and a thriving startup ecosystem.
Germany’s innovation-driven economy offers attractive investment opportunities across a range of future-focused sectors. There is a strong momentum and international interest in German industries, including healthcare, energy and environmental technologies, digital economy and mobility & smart manufacturing.
· Healthcare: Europe’s largest health market with high R&D investment and digital transformation.
· Energy: Germany is the world’s fourth-largest player in wind and solar energy, with 57% renewables and growing infrastructure.
· Environmental technologies: Leading exports, strong public funding and a top five global ranking for cleantech innovation.
· Digital economy: Heavy investments in AI, edge computing and the highest FinTech startup rate.
· Mobility & smart manufacturing: E-mobility, robotics and industrial tech continue to attract high-value partnerships.
Germany boasts 30 Fortune Global 500 companies and is home to major global players like Volkswagen, Siemens, BASF, Mercedes-Benz, Allianz and BMW. These big companies dominate Germany’s key industry sectors such as automotive, chemicals, finance and engineering. They have a crucial role in boosting foreign direct investment and building global business networks.
The leading industries in Germany include the automotive sector, mechanical and electrical engineering, chemicals and pharmaceuticals. Together, they represent the core of German industrial output and global competitiveness, supported by strong infrastructure, skilled labor, and cutting-edge research.
Foreign investment is welcome across most industry sectors in Germany. However, certain industries may be subject to approval – e.g. defense, critical infrastructure or high-tech with national security impact. The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs (BMWE) reviews such cases to protect public order and security.