AI-enabled cyberattacks cause €202 billion damage in Germany in 2025
German authorities reported that cyberattacks caused €202.4 billion in damage in 2025, with over 900 incidents daily. Cybercriminals increasingly use AI to generate multilingual phishing content and deceive victims across multiple regions, making attacks more effective and accessible.
What happened
German authorities registered approximately 334,000 cyberattack cases in 2025, averaging over 900 per day. Ransomware attacks increased by 10 percent to 1,041 cases, while DDoS attacks rose by 25 percent to 36,706 cases annually.
Cybercriminals increasingly use artificial intelligence to conduct attacks, including generating flawless multilingual phishing emails and deceptive websites that trick victims. AI capabilities enable attackers without technical expertise to carry out sophisticated attacks across multiple regions simultaneously.
Reported impact
The estimated financial damage to the German economy is €202.4 billion, representing approximately 4.5 percent of gross domestic product. Average ransomware payments by companies reached around €500,000.
Victims include businesses, government administrations, and critical infrastructure such as power plants and hospitals. Two-thirds of attacks originated from abroad or unknown locations.
Index analysis
Germany ranks among the top three cyberattack targets globally, after the United States and Canada. The country is a lucrative target for cybercriminals due to its status as the world's third-largest economy.
Governance controls
Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt stated that cybercrime is one of the largest challenges for public security in Germany. The Bundeskriminalamt published a threat assessment report on the 2025 cyber situation.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.