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Selling on eBay Germany in 2025: What’s changed and what still works

Selling on eBay Germany in 2025: What’s changed and what still works

If you’re selling online in Germany, ebay.de should still be on your radar in 2025. It’s really a vibrant marketplace, a community. Millions of buyers trust it, sellers are still making serious sales, and new features are rolling out all the time.

This year, eBay Germany has gotten smarter. It’s shining a spotlight on ads, adding more buyer protections, and updating the Seller Hub for better workflows. If you adapt, you can ride this wave without being left behind.

Today, we’ll walk through why eBay Germany remains a top choice, what’s actually shifted this year, and how to stay ahead. Let’s dive in.

Why selling on eBay Germany still makes sense in 2025

First of all, Germany’s e-commerce sector is booming. The total market is hitting $107.85 billion in 2025 . And marketplaces – like eBay – hold a big part of that: €44 billion in 2024, up 4.7% from the year before.

ebay.de is right up there with Amazon.de and Otto. It earns roughly 150 million visits per month in Germany. That’s serious traffic.

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What’s really solid? Almost 15% of all global sellers are based in Germany – the third largest seller base after the U.S. and the UK. That means local competition is strong, but so is the demand. Moreover, eBay’s global network reached 134 million active buyers in Q1 2025, with GMV up 2% year-over-year at $18.8 billion .

Local trust is also rising. eBay Germany waived listing fees for private sellers in 2023, making it easier than ever to test the waters or resell . Private listings increased by 20%, and many dormant sellers jumped back in. There’s more diverse inventory, more listings, and more options for buyers.

In addition, the platform is getting friendlier, promotions are getting smarter, and new financial tools for sellers are being introduced.

So yeah, eBay Germany is still firing on all cylinders in 2025. Strong traffic, smarter tools, more trust, and better monetization options. For sellers who pay attention and adapt quickly, it’s still a goldmine of opportunity.

What’s changed for eBay Germany in 2025?

eBay Germany has been busy leveling up this year. Here’s what actually moved the needle in 2025:

Smarter advertising with new Promoted Listings tools

Back in February 2025, ebay.de gave priority campaigns a serious upgrade. If you’re using this ad strategy, your listings now get exclusive access to the first ad slot at the top of search results. That’s big. It means better visibility and a much higher chance your item gets clicked. General campaigns? They’re no longer eligible for that top spot.

eBay introduced priority campaigns last year to help sellers speed up sales with more control and better placement. Now they’re doubling down. Tools like Smart Targeting, Recommended Campaigns, and AI-powered keyword guidance make it easier to fine-tune your strategy without guesswork. And if you’re already using priority ads, your listings were automatically upgraded – no action needed.

Takeaway: reassess your ad strategy and consider switching to Priority for visibility.

Attribution rules have changed for ads

Another big update hit general campaigns in early 2025, and it’s all about attribution. In short: you now get charged ad fees based on whether a buyer clicked your promoted item anytime in the past 30 days.

It works like this: if a buyer clicks your ad today, comes back two weeks later, and buys it – you still get charged. But only if the item was still promoted at the time of the sale. This new logic gives sellers more clarity, but it also means you’ll need to watch campaign performance more closely. eBay says it simplifies tracking. Some sellers might say it quietly changes how fees add up.

Takeaway: If you’re relying heavily on general ad campaigns, it’s worth checking how this new attribution method affects your spend and whether a switch to priority ads might work better for your margins.

Seller Hub (Cockpit Pro) redesign & features

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In Germany, the Seller Cockpit Pro – also known as the Seller Hub – has started rolling out its biggest refresh in years. The changes are designed to make things faster and more focused for the Overview page and Price Suggestion Dashboard.

The new dashboard for Offers brings key tasks to the surface. It pulls everything into one place. You can view, send, and manage offers without jumping between tabs or tools. It also comes with smart filters, automation options, and performance tracking tools. 

But the update hasn’t landed smoothly for everyone. Some sellers have noticed missing updates in some sections, like the Tasks panel, which used to be a core part of their workflow.

That said, ebay.de is actively asking for seller feedback through the support widget in the lower corner of the page. They’re still tweaking things based on what users are saying. So if something’s off, you can speak up.

Takeaway: Expect a learning curve, but more speed once you adjust.

Newbies in financing

eBay Germany also launched new financial tools for sellers. The YouLend merchant financing option lets sellers borrow based on revenue. You pay a fixed fee – not interest – and repay as you sell more . That makes scaling inventory or promotions a snappier process.

More buyer confidence tools with Additional Protection

What’s more, in eBay Germany, there’s a new Additional Protection plan for certain products. Electronics, household goods, and sports items in “refurbished” or “new: other” condition now get an extra 12 months of insurance, backed by Allianz. It kicks in after the standard warranty ends and covers damage that might otherwise fall through the cracks.

Selling to the UK clients? There’s a bonus: For sellers in fashion, electronics, or sports categories, 2025 came with a few extras. eBay UK expanded its Authenticity Guarantee to cover luxury clothing priced over £200. If you’re selling brands like Gucci, Nike, or Dior, your listings can now carry a blue verified badge and help buyers shop with confidence.

What still works for sellers on eBay Germany

Not everything changed in 2025, and that’s a good thing.

Some of the most reliable tactics are still holding strong. If you’ve been selling on ebay.de for a while, you’ll recognize these as the basics. But they’re basics for a reason: they still get results.

First off, clear product titles and high-quality images are still non-negotiable. Buyers scroll fast. A clean photo and a well-written headline still stop the scroll. Think like your customer—what would you click on? Use sharp images (multiple angles, no filters), mention the key features right away, and always include brand names or model numbers when relevant.

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Fast shipping and good communication still earn you trust. eBay’s algorithm favors sellers who dispatch quickly and respond to buyer messages within 24 hours. Even if you’re a small business, being active and responsive builds a reputation and repeat customers.

Pricing strategies haven’t lost their power either. eBay is still a price-sensitive marketplace. Shoppers compare listings side by side, especially in categories like tech and fashion. Tools like the Offers dashboard (now improved) can help you test different discount levels and send price drops directly to watchers or past viewers.

Promotions and seasonal campaigns are still effective. Whether it’s a weekend flash sale, end-of-season clearout, or holiday push, creating timely offers keeps your shop looking active and competitive. eBay also lets you schedule promotions in advance, so you don’t need to babysit every campaign.

The Seller Cockpit Pro (or Seller Hub) still gives you a solid overview of your business. Even with its new layout, the core features – sales insights, order management, listing tools – still work the same. If anything, they’re now more streamlined. And if you lean into it, this dashboard helps you stay on top of your shop without missing a beat.

Shipping options and online return policies still influence search ranking and buyer trust. Listings with free returns and fast delivery badges often appear higher in results and attract more clicks. Even if you can’t offer free shipping on everything, doing it for your bestsellers can move the needle.

Last but not least, feedback still matters. Positive reviews and seller ratings remain one of the strongest signals buyers rely on. Deliver what you promise, handle issues quickly, and ask for feedback when the experience goes well.

It’s simple, but it works.

What to watch out for in 2025 when selling on ebay.de

While eBay Germany still offers great selling potential, 2025 brought a few things that deserve a closer look. Not necessarily dealbreakers, but definitely areas where sellers should stay sharp.

1. If you’re using a general campaign strategy, your promoted listings no longer qualify for that first ad slot in search results. 

That prime spot now goes only to priority campaigns. So if you’re running general ads and wondering why visibility dropped, this might be why. Add to that the updated attribution model, where any sale within 30 days of an ad click gets charged. Even if the buyer didn’t directly click during the final purchase, your ad spend may not feel as predictable.

2. You can’t opt out of Seller Hub changes. 

The redesigned Seller Cockpit Pro is rolling out gradually, and you need to accept that. While it’s meant to be easier to use, it’s still a learning curve. Yet, eBay is open to feedback, but the updates are coming whether you like them or not. The best move? Start exploring the new layout early so you’re not caught off guard once it hits your account.

3. Default settings are also something to keep an eye on.

In past updates, eBay changed offer settings without notifying users, which led to a few sellers sending discounts they didn’t intend to. If you’re adjusting offers or launching a new promotion, double-check the pre-filled values before you hit publish.

4. With all these tools – ads, automation, offer dashboards – it’s easy to set it and forget it.

That’s risky now. eBay’s platform is evolving faster, and staying passive can cost you traffic, sales, or even account health. But don’t be afraid, it’s not about doing more but just checking in regularly and staying aware of how things are performing.

Take advantage of eBay Germany

Selling on eBay Germany in 2025 still makes sense, especially due to the platform shift. Ads are smarter, dashboards are tighter, and buyer expectations are rising.

And that’s a good thing.

If you’re paying attention, adjusting your setup, and using the tools that actually help you sell, you’re in a great spot. eBay’s traffic is strong, its seller tools are expanding, and trust-building features are better than ever. So no matter if you’re just starting out or scaling a well-oiled shop, there’s still plenty of room to grow.

Keep testing. Keep learning. And don’t be afraid to rethink what’s working for you, because on a platform like eBay, small tweaks can make a big difference.

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