What Does the AWV Reporting Requirement Mean?

The AWV reporting requirement applies to cross-border payments or transfers over €50,000. If you conduct such a transaction, you may see a note on your bank statement saying “AWV reporting obligation applies.” The report must be submitted to the Deutsche Bundesbank and is used for statistical purposes to monitor international payment flows.

For Allianz Investors:

Investors with investments of less than 12 months in duration are exempt from the reporting requirement. For all other investments exceeding €50,000, the reporting obligation applies as defined in § 67 of the Foreign Trade and Payments Regulation (AWV).

What Does the Abbreviation AWV Stand For?

AWV stands for “Außenwirtschaftsverordnung” (Foreign Trade and Payments Regulation). This regulation is used to record the flow of capital into and out of Germany and requires residents to report payments over €50,000 to the Bundesbank.

Which Payments Are Subject to Reporting?

Reportable transactions include:

Note: If multiple partial payments are made by the same person and each is below €50,000, no reporting obligation applies.

Who Is Affected by the AWV Reporting Requirement?

Both private individuals and companies with residence or headquarters in Germany are subject to the reporting obligation. It applies to all cross-border payments exceeding €50,000.

Deadlines and Reporting Options

The AWV report must be submitted by the 7th calendar day of the month following the transaction. Private individuals can report informally via phone or online to the Bundesbank. Companies must submit their reports through the General Statistics Reporting Portal (AMS).

What Information Is Required for the Report?

The following details must be provided in the AWV report:

Exceptions to the Reporting Obligation

The following transactions are not subject to AWV reporting:

Penalties for Violating the AWV Reporting Obligation

Failure to comply with the AWV reporting obligation may be classified as an administrative offense and can be punished with fines of up to €30,000 per violation. For companies, fines can reach up to €300,000, depending on the severity of the breach.

AWV Reporting Obligation vs. Anti-Money Laundering Act

While the Anti-Money Laundering Act (GWG) targets suspicious transactions, the AWV reporting obligation applies to all cross-border payments of €50,000 or more. Both regulations help monitor financial flows but serve different regulatory purposes.

Key Differences at a Glance:

How can I fulfill the AWV reporting obligation?

Submission Methods