Relationship dossier
Germany
Saudi Arabia
Relationship assessment
Economic engagement and diplomatic ties coexist with recurring disputes over arms exports and regional policy.
Germany toward Saudi Arabia
+10Germany has maintained diplomatic and economic engagement with Saudi Arabia while restricting arms exports after the Khashoggi killing and over the Yemen war. In 2024, Germany permitted a limited resumption of Eurofighter-related exports, reflecting a change in its export policy.
Saudi Arabia toward Germany
+5Saudi Arabia has maintained diplomatic and economic engagement with Germany. In 2017, it recalled its ambassador from Berlin amid a dispute over German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel's remarks on Saudi policy.
Overall relationship
+10The relationship is sustained by diplomatic and economic engagement, but political disagreements have repeatedly constrained it. German arms-export restrictions and the 2017 diplomatic dispute are notable sources of friction; the limited 2024 easing of export policy indicates continued scope for practical cooperation.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Germany and Saudi Arabia maintain substantial diplomatic and economic ties, alongside recurring political disputes. Germany restricted arms exports to Saudi Arabia after the killing of Jamal Khashoggi and the war in Yemen, then permitted a limited resumption of Eurofighter-related exports in 2024. In 2017, Saudi Arabia recalled its ambassador from Germany amid a dispute over remarks by German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel. The relationship combines practical engagement with disagreement over arms exports and regional policy.
Areas of tension
- German restrictions on arms exports to Saudi Arabia, including disputes related to the Yemen war and the killing of Jamal Khashoggi.
- The 2017 dispute over German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel's remarks on Saudi policy.
Key developments
Saudi Arabia recalled its ambassador from Germany amid a dispute over remarks by German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel.
Germany restricted arms exports to Saudi Arabia following the killing of Jamal Khashoggi and amid concerns related to the Yemen war.
Germany permitted a limited resumption of Eurofighter-related exports to Saudi Arabia.
Major uncertainties
- The scope and implementation of bilateral economic cooperation arrangements are unclear.
- The future scope of German arms exports to Saudi Arabia remains uncertain.