Name of country: Kingdom of the Netherlands, Koninkrijk der Nederlanden

Establishment of diplomatic relations:

• 4 April 1951 (Federal Republic of Germany / presentation of the letter of credence of the Dutch envoy to Federal President Theodor Heuss)
• 5 January 1973 (German Democratic Republic)

System of government: Constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy

Germany and the Netherlands enjoy wide-ranging, close and friendly relations between both their governments and their civil societies. Contacts between members of government and parliament at both national and regional level are intensive. There are regular visits and meetings, also at the highest level, for example the state visit by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to the Netherlands in June 2026.

Traditionally, the President of the Bundesrat visits the Netherlands and receives a top-level welcome. The Netherlands is one of Germany’s closest bilateral, EU and multilateral partners.

Exports and innovation play an important role in the Dutch economy. Key sectors include services – with a strong financial sector – as well as trade, agriculture and industry. The manufacturing sector is often highly specialised. The Netherlands is the second-largest exporter of agricultural produce in the world after the United States. Again in 2024, it was Germany’s most important trading partner in the EU, as well as the third-largest partner worldwide.

Cultural relations between Germany and the Netherlands are very intensive. Cooperation and exchange between organisations and those involved in vocational training, education, research and culture are close. Around 18,300 Germans study in the Netherlands, making them by far the largest group of foreign students in the country.