Germany

Almost twenty percent of Norway's mainland exports go to Germany, and Germans are the largest group of foreign tourists in Norway. The size and the economic, political and cultural weight makes Germany interesting for many Norwegian companies.

Germany

Our two offices in Germany focus on the most important areas of trade and economic cooperation between the countries, such as renewable energy, smart digital solutions, maritime and defense. The Germany offices also cover the German-speaking parts of Austria and Switzerland.

Germany as a Market

Germany is Norway’s second-largest export market, accounting for about sixteen percent of our mainland exports. In 2024, we exported goods and services worth NOK 280 billion to Germany. In addition, Germans represent the largest group of foreign tourists in Norway.

The biggest export opportunities for Norwegian businesses lie within energy and environment, smart digital solutions, defense, bioeconomy, maritime/ocean industries, tourism, creative industries, consumer goods, and seafood.

Germans value high quality, good design, and innovation, but there are regional differences between north and south, east and west. These differences are especially visible in the consumer market, with varying consumption patterns, living conditions, economy, and interests. For that reason, it can be advantageous to focus on one region at a time when entering the German market.

Innovative Economy

On the Global Competitiveness Index, Germany ranks 7th out of 117 countries, and the World Economic Forum names Germany as one of the most innovative economies. In Germany – particularly in southern Germany – Industry 4.0, IoT, and artificial intelligence are key drivers. Southern Germany is also home to many industrial giants facing drastic shifts in today’s industrial landscape. Norwegian companies can play a crucial role by offering innovative solutions and leveraging local expertise, industrialization, and global scaling.

The offices in Hamburg and Munich cover the German-speaking area including Germany, Austria, and parts of Switzerland. This core region in Europe has close to 100 million inhabitants—consumers with high to very high purchasing power, whose needs align well with the strengths of Norwegian industry.