Official diplomatic relations between Germany and Chile have existed since 1952. Bilateral relations have a broad basis in business, science and culture and are characterised by similar positions on important multilateral issues. Chile has been a member of the OECD since 2012 and is classified as an upper middle income country.

The EU ranks third amongst Chile’s trading partners, behind China and the United States. Germany is Chile’s most important trading partner in the EU. Its principal imports from Chile are raw materials (copper) and food, while industrial products are the main German exports to Chile.

There is great interest in German culture and the German language in Chile. German immigration to southern Chile (from 1848) as well as the hard work and achievements of Germans, especially in the spheres of science, education and the economy, helped to develop the country and are still recognised today. German culture and the German language remain present in Chile, especially in the south.

Cultural relations centre on contacts between universities and research institutions, the programme work of the Goethe-Institut and support for the 24 schools in Chile participating in the Federal Foreign Office’s Schools: Partners for the Future initiative (PASCH) (including five German schools).

Germany also enjoys an excellent reputation in Chile as a partner in research and science. An updated comprehensive framework agreement on bilateral cooperation in science and technology has been in force since 2013.

Priority areas are renewable energies, environmental protection, astronomy, Antarctic research, healthcare and digital technology. The Heidelberg Centre for Latin America and the Fraunhofer Chile Center for Solar Energy are beacon projects.

Chile is a regional pioneer in renewable energies and a key partner in the development of green hydrogen. Chile – together with Germany – currently holds the Co-Chair of the Climate Club, which was established by the G7 in 2023 to promote the decarbonisation of the global economy. Germany and Chile have had a strategic raw materials partnership since 2013 and an energy partnership since 2019.

Federal President Steinmeier paid a state visit to Chile from 3 to 6 March 2025.