The German balance of payments is a comprehensive systematic presentation of economic transactions between residents (natural and legal persons resident in Germany) and non-residents (natural and legal persons resident outside Germany) in a given reporting period (month, quarter,
year). It is not a balance sheet in the sense of a point-intime statement of assets and liabilities, but rather a flow account that also includes cross-border transactions, even if these do not lead to (direct) payment.
The balance of payments statistics provide important information on Germany’s multi-faceted external trade links and are used by central banks, ministries, associations and enterprises, as well as by academics. The analyses derived from these form, amongst other things, an indispensable
basis for decisions on monetary and economic policy. In addition, the German balance of payments constitutes an important part of the balances of payments of the euro area and the European Union.