Qatar’s strong engagement in foreign policy makes it an important partner for Germany on numerous regional issues. A large number of high-level visits in both directions reflects the good cooperation between the two countries. The Emir of Qatar last visited Germany in May 2022. During the visit, a declaration of intent on an energy partnership was signed. Foreign Minister Baerbock last visited Qatar in May 2023, when she agreed the launch of a strategic dialogue with Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani.

Germany and Qatar enjoy excellent trade relations. German exports to Qatar were worth around 1.2 billion euro in 2023, and German imports from Qatar approximately 600 million euro. Germany’s main exports include machinery and plant, motor vehicles, chemical products and electronics/electrical engineering products. German companies are mainly active in plant construction, energy generation, the building industry, the service sector and the transport infrastructure sector.

Qatar is one of the largest foreign investors in Germany and has significant holdings in companies including Volkswagen, Siemens, RWE, Deutsche Bank and Hapag-Lloyd. Qatar has announced further major investment in Germany for the years to come.

The German International School Doha opened its doors at the beginning of the 2008‑2009 school year and has offered instruction leading to the German Mixed-Language International Baccalaureate (GIB) since 2016, enabling holders to study at a university in Germany. The school has an integrated kindergarten. German was introduced as an optional subject at a state secondary school in Qatar for the first time in the 2013‑2014 school year. These two schools are both members of the Schools: Partners for the Future (PASCH) initiative.

In the scientific and academic sphere, cooperation agreements are in place between higher education institutions in Qatar and Germany. The German Archaeological Institute has conducted exploratory missions in Qatar since 2012. Relations in the area of sport focus on football, table tennis as well as on Qatar’s sports academy Aspire which has Germans on its staff. The FIFA World Cup took place in Qatar in the winter of 2022.