Smart cards market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The German smart card market volume grew from 1 104.2 million units in 2018 to 1 298.5 million units in 2019, partly driven by Gemalto's expansion of access control management services across the European Union. However, in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused supply chain disruptions that constrained production, reducing market volume to 967.0 million units despite increased consumer demand for contactless payment cards.

Market volume continued to decline to 807.9 million units in 2021 and 791.7 million units in 2022. During this period, regulatory frameworks such as the EU's eIDAS 2.0 and the integration of biometric authentication into smart cards stimulated demand for higher-value products, supporting the market's monetary value at $655.8 million USD in 2022 even as physical unit sales fell.

A sharp drop in volume to 534.5 million units occurred in 2023, coinciding with industry investments in sustainable materials like polycarbonate in response to impending PVC bans. By 2024, the market recovered slightly to 557.3 million units, aided by the introduction of new products featuring OLED technology and recycled materials, although supply shortages of specialized microcontrollers limited more robust growth.

Production smart cards in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's smart card production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 593.8 million US dollars, down 9.6% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 3.1%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 1.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 767.1 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 14.4%, while the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 25.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, M unit

Germany's smart card production volume declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, 692.9 million units were produced, representing a sharp decrease of 26.6% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 27.8%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 10.3%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 997.8 million units. The largest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 4.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in kind, 2017-2020, M unit

Exports smart cards from Germany

Exports in kind, M unit

After a two-year rise, Germany's smart card export volume declined. In 2020, exports reached 503.1 million units, a fall of 5.3% from 2019. Over the period 2017-2020, exports increased by 7.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.5%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 531.0 million units. The largest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 9.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020, M unit

From 2017 to 2020, Germany traded smart cards with many countries. Even the largest destinations—Spain, Sweden, and France—together accounted for only 27.6% of total exports in volume terms.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Germany's smart card export volumes declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 202.0 million US dollars, which is 10.1% less than in 2019. Over the period 2017-2020, exports decreased by 22.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -8.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Data from 2017 to 2020 show that Germany's smart card exports in value terms were not concentrated on a few key destinations. The United Kingdom (7.0% of exports), France (6.9%), and Austria (6.7%) together accounted for only 20.6% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020

Imports smart cards to Germany

Imports in kind, M unit

In 2020, Germany's smart card imports stood at 777.2 million units, marking a solid drop of 12.3% year-over-year. Over the period 2017-2020, imports increased by 7.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.3%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 618.8 million units, while the highest was in 2019 at 885.9 million units. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 14.7%, and the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 43.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020, M unit

From 2017 to 2020, China (30.6% of imports in volume), the United States (19.0%), and Malaysia (11.0%) were the primary suppliers of smart cards to Germany, jointly accounting for 60.6% of total imports in volume terms.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Germany's smart card import volume tallied 253.3 million US dollars, corresponding to a decline of 3.4% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 2.9%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 1.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 248.8 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 262.2 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 4.6%, and the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 5.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017-2020, imports in value terms of smart cards to Germany were allocated across a large number of markets. China (14.6% of imports), Thailand (8.9%), and Malaysia (8.2%) together accounted for only 31.6% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020