Best-selling albums in Germany

The list of best-selling albums in Germany based on Bundesverband Musikindustrie (BVMI) certifications. BVMI began certifying albums in 1975. In Germany, unlike in other countries, the awards are given in the following order:
gold → platinum → 3x gold → 2x platinum → 5x gold, etc. (instead of the usual – gold → platinum → 2x platinum → 3x platinum, etc.). Since June 2014, album certifications include audio streams.

According to BVMI, the best-selling album in Germany is soundtrack Dirty Dancing with sales of 3,250,000 copies. Herbert Grönemeier’s Mensch, which sold 3,150,000 copies and became 21x gold is the best selling album by domestic artist in Germany. The first albums to be awarded for a million copies sold were the soundtrack Saturday Night Fever and Boney M’s Nightflight To Venus in 1978.

Certification levels for albums in Germany

On June 1, 2014, BVMI launched the new Diamond Album award for 750,000 copies sold. Only recordings released after January 1, 2013 can receive the Diamond Album. Certifications for albums released in Germany depend upon their release date.

Release date Gold Platinum
Before 24.08.1999 250,000 500,000
25.08.1999 – 31.12.2002 150,000 300,000
Since 1.01.2003 100,000 200,000

List of best-selling albums in Gremany

soundtrack Dirty Dancing is the best-selling album in Germany
ArtistAlbumCertificationSalesYear release
1SOUNDTRACKDIRTY DANCING13x Gold3,250,0001987
2HERBERT GRÖNEMEYERMENSCH21x Gold3,150,0002002
3PHIL COLLINSBUT SERIOUSLY6x Platinum3,000,0001989
4HERBERT GRÖNEMEYER4630 BOCHUM11x Gold2,750,0001984
5ABBAGOLD – GREATEST HITS5x Platinum2,500,0001992
6GENESISWE CAN`T DANCE5x Platinum2,500,0001991
7HELENE FISCHERFARBENSPIEL12x Platinum2,400,0002013
8ANDREA BERGBEST OF8x Platinum2,400,0002001
9THE KELLY FAMILYOVER THE HUMP9x Gold2,250,0001994
10QUEENGREATEST HITS II9x Gold2,250,0001991
11TRACY CHAPMANTRACY CHAPMAN9x Gold2,250,0001988
12HELENE FISCHERBEST OF HELENE FISCHER10x Platinum2,000,0002010
13WOLFGANG PETRYALLES4x Platinum2,000,0001996
14ANDREA BOCELLIBOCELLI4x Platinum2,000,0001995
15PURABENTEUERLAND4x Platinum2,000,0001995
16MICHAEL JACKSONDANGEROUS4x Platinum2,000,0001991
17MICHAEL JACKSONBAD4x Platinum2,000,0001987
18PINK FLOYDTHE WALL4x Platinum2,000,0001979
19THE BEATLES1962 – 19664x Platinum2,000,0001973
20UNHEILIGGROßE FREIHEIT9x Platinum1,800,0002010
21MARIUS MÜLLER-WESTERNHAGENAFFENTHEATER7x Gold1,750,0001994
22ROXETTEJOYRIDE7x Gold1,750,0001991
23HERBERT GRÖNEMEYERÖ7x Gold1,750,0001988
24PHIL COLLINSFACE VALUE7x Gold1,750,0001981
25QUEENGREATEST HITS I7x Gold1,750,0001981
26THE BEATLES111x Gold1,650,0002000
27ADELE218x Platinum1,600,0002011
28ROBBIE WILLIAMSSWING WHEN YOU`RE WINNING5x Platinum1,500,0002001
29CELINE DIONLET`S TALK ABOUT LOVE3x Platinum1,500,0001997
30EROS RAMAZZOTTIEROS3x Platinum1,500,0001997
31MICHAEL JACKSONHISTORY: PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE BOOK I3x Platinum1,500,0001995
32QUEENMADE IN HEAVEN3x Platinum1,500,0001995
33ACE OF BASEHAPPY NATION/THE SIGN3x Platinum1,500,0001993
34PHIL COLLINSBOTH SIDES3x Platinum1,500,0001993
35PURSEILTÄNZERTRAUM3x Platinum1,500,0001993
36WHITNEY HOUSTONTHE BODYGUARD (SOUNDTRACK)3x Platinum1,500,0001992
37MARIUS MÜLLER-WESTERNHAGENWESTERNHAGEN – LIVE3x Platinum1,500,0001990
38MATTHIAS REIMREIM3x Platinum1,500,0001990
39PHIL COLLINSSERIOUS HITS … LIVE!3x Platinum1,500,0001990
40ROLF ZUCKOWSKIWINTERKINDER3x Platinum1,500,0001987
41JENNIFER RUSHMOVIN`3x Platinum1,500,0001985
42PHIL COLLINSNO JACKET REQUIRED3x Platinum1,500,0001985
43MICHAEL JACKSONTHRILLER3x Platinum1,500,0001982
44BEE GEESSATURDAY NIGHT FEVER (SOUNDTRACK)3x Platinum1,500,0001977
45THE BEATLES1967 – 19703x Platinum1,500,0001973
46VARIOUS ARTISTSWALT DISNEY – DIE EISKÖNIGIN – VÖLLIG UNVERFROREN (DAS ORIGINAL-HÖRSPIEL ZUM FILM)13x Gold1,300,0002013
47SANTIANOBIS ANS ENDE DER WELT13x Gold1,300,0002012
48PETER FOXSTADTAFFE13x Gold1,300,0002008
49MARIUS MÜLLER-WESTERNHAGENRADIO MARIA5x Gold1,250,0001998
50MODERN TALKINGBACK FOR GOOD5x Gold1,250,0001998
51METALLICARELOAD5x Gold1,250,0001997
52SOUNDTRACKTITANIC 5x Gold1,250,0001997
53CELINE DIONFALLING INTO YOU5x Gold1,250,0001996
54ERIC CLAPTONUNPLUGGED5x Gold1,250,0001992
55R.E.M.AUTOMATIC FOR THE PEOPLE5x Gold1,250,0001992
56VANGELIS1492 – CONQUEST OF PARADISE (SOUNDTRACK)5x Gold1,250,0001992
57EURYTHMICSGREATEST HITS5x Gold1,250,0001991
58GUNS N` ROSESUSE YOUR ILLUSION II5x Gold1,250,0001991
59R.E.M.OUT OF TIME5x Gold1,250,0001991
60SIMPLY REDSTARS5x Gold1,250,0001991
61TINA TURNERPRIVATE DANCER5x Gold1,250,0001984
62ANDREA JÜRGENSWEIHNACHTEN MIT ANDREA JÜRGENS5x Gold1,250,0001979
63SOUNDTRACKGREASE5x Gold1,250,0001978
64FLEETWOOD MACRUMOURS5x Gold1,250,0001977
65ADELE256x Platinum1,200,0002015
66HELENE FISCHERWEIHNACHTEN6x Platinum1,200,0002015
67SANTIANOMIT DEN GEZEITEN6x Platinum1,200,0002013
68ICH + ICHVOM SELBEN STERN6x Platinum1,200,0002007
69AMY WINEHOUSEBACK TO BLACK6x Platinum1,200,0002006
70ROBBIE WILLIAMSESCAPOLOGY4x Platinum1,200,0002002
71UDO LINDENBERGMTV UNPLUGGED – LIVE AUS DEM HOTEL ATLANTIK11x Gold1,100,0002011
72ROSENSTOLZDAS GROSSE LEBEN11x Gold1,100,0002006
73ROBBIE WILLIAMSINTENSIVE CARE11x Gold1,100,0002005
74DEUTSCHLAND SUCHT DEN SUPERSTARUNITED11x Gold1,100,0002003
75NO ANGELSELLE`MENTS7x Gold1,050,0002001
76MARIUS MÜLLER-WESTERNHAGENSO WEIT… – BEST OF7x Gold1,050,0002000
77CELINE DIONALL THE WAY…A DECADE OF SONG7x Gold1,050,0001999
78VARIOUS ARTISTSWALT DISNEY – DAS DSCHUNGELBUCH (DAS ORIGINALHÖRSPIEL ZUM FILM)7x Gold1,050,0001997
79HELENE FISCHERHELENE FISCHER5x Platinum1,000,0002017
80SARAH CONNORMUTTERSPRACHE5x Platinum1,000,0002015
81ANDREA BERGABENTEUER5x Platinum1,000,0002011
82ANDREA BERGSCHWERELOS5x Platinum1,000,0002010
83AC/DCBLACK ICE5x Platinum1,000,0002008
84AMY MACDONALDTHIS IS THE LIFE5x Platinum1,000,0002007
85PAUL POTTSONE CHANCE5x Platinum1,000,0002007
86NELLY FURTADOLOOSE5x Platinum1,000,0002006
87SANTANASUPERNATURAL2x Platinum1,000,0001999
88CHERBELIEVE2x Platinum1,000,0001998
89PURMÄCHTIG VIEL THEATER2x Platinum1,000,0001998
90XAVIER NAIDOONICHT VON DIESER WELT2x Platinum1,000,0001998
91BACKSTREET BOYSBACKSTREET`S BACK2x Platinum1,000,0001997
92TIC TAC TOEKLAPPE DIE 2TE2x Platinum1,000,0001997
93WOLFGANG PETRYNIE GENUG2x Platinum1,000,0001997
94DIE TOTEN HOSENOPIUM FÜRS VOLK2x Platinum1,000,0001996
95THE KELLY FAMILYALMOST HEAVEN2x Platinum1,000,0001996
96TIC TAC TOETIC TAC TOE2x Platinum1,000,0001996
97ALANIS MORISSETTEJAGGED LITTLE PILL2x Platinum1,000,0001995
98BRUCE SPRINGSTEENGREATEST HITS2x Platinum1,000,0001995
99THE SMURFS (DIE SCHLÜMPFE – DEUTSCH)TEKKNO IST COOL – VOL. 1 2x Platinum1,000,0001995
100BON JOVICROSS ROAD2x Platinum1,000,0001994
101ROLF ZUCKOWSKIIM KINDERGARTEN2x Platinum1,000,0001994
102SOUNDTRACKTHE LION KING2x Platinum1,000,0001994
103BRYAN ADAMSSO FAR SO GOOD2x Platinum1,000,0001993
104DIE TOTEN HOSENREICH & SEXY2x Platinum1,000,0001993
105MARIAH CAREYMUSIC BOX2x Platinum1,000,0001993
106MEAT LOAFBAT OUT OF HELL II: BACK INTO HELL2x Platinum1,000,0001993
107ROLF ZUCKOWSKIDEZEMBERTRÄUME2x Platinum1,000,0001993
108MARIUS MÜLLER-WESTERNHAGENJA, JA2x Platinum1,000,0001992
109PURLIVE2x Platinum1,000,0001992
110BIBI UND TINABIBI UND TINA – DAS FOHLEN (FOLGE 1)2x Platinum1,000,0001991
111DIE PRINZENDAS LEBEN IST GRAUSAM2x Platinum1,000,0001991
112GUNS N` ROSESUSE YOUR ILLUSION I2x Platinum1,000,0001991
113NIRVANANEVERMIND2x Platinum1,000,0001991
114AC/DCTHE RAZOR`S EDGE2x Platinum1,000,0001990
115BEE GEESTHE VERY BEST OF THE BEE GEES2x Platinum1,000,0001990
116ELTON JOHNTHE VERY BEST OF ELTON JOHN2x Platinum1,000,0001990
117ENIGMAMCMXC A.D.2x Platinum1,000,0001990
118HERBERT GRÖNEMEYERLUXUS2x Platinum1,000,0001990
119SCORPIONSCRAZY WORLD2x Platinum1,000,0001990
120WILDECKER HERZBUBENHERZILEIN2x Platinum1,000,0001990
121MARIUS MÜLLER-WESTERNHAGENHALLELUJA2x Platinum1,000,0001989
122ROD STEWARTTHE BEST OF ROD STEWART (1989)2x Platinum1,000,0001989
123TINA TURNERFOREIGN AFFAIR2x Platinum1,000,0001989
124TRACY CHAPMANCROSSROADS2x Platinum1,000,0001989
125ORIGINAL NAABTAL DUOPATRONA BAVARIAE2x Platinum1,000,0001988
126ROXETTELOOK SHARP!2x Platinum1,000,0001988
127TANITA TIKARAMANCIENT HEART2x Platinum1,000,0001988
128FLEETWOOD MACTANGO IN THE NIGHT2x Platinum1,000,0001987
129JENNIFER RUSHHEART OVER MIND2x Platinum1,000,0001987
130U2THE JOSHUA TREE2x Platinum1,000,0001987
131CHRIS DE BURGHINTO THE LIGHT2x Platinum1,000,0001986
132HERBERT GRÖNEMEYERSPRÜNGE2x Platinum1,000,0001986
133MADONNATRUE BLUE2x Platinum1,000,0001986
134TINA TURNERBREAK EVERY RULE2x Platinum1,000,0001986
135BAPVUN DRINNE NOH DRUSSE2x Platinum1,000,0001985
136BRUCE SPRINGSTEENBORN IN THE U.S.A.2x Platinum1,000,0001984
137JENNIFER RUSHJENNIFER RUSH2x Platinum1,000,0001984
138ROGER WHITTAKEREIN GLÜCK, DAß ES DICH GIBT2x Platinum1,000,0001984
139ROGER WHITTAKERWEIHNACHTEN MIT ROGER WHITTAKER2x Platinum1,000,0001983
140PETER HOFMANNROCK CLASSICS2x Platinum1,000,0001982
141PHIL COLLINSHELLO, I MUST BE GOING2x Platinum1,000,0001982
142BAPFÜR USSZESCHNIGGE2x Platinum1,000,0001981
143ABBASUPER TROUPER2x Platinum1,000,0001980
144AC/DCBACK IN BLACK2x Platinum1,000,0001980
145PETER MAFFAYREVANCHE2x Platinum1,000,0001980
146THE BLUES BROTHERSBLUES BROTHERS (SOUNDTRACK)2x Platinum1,000,0001980
147RICHARD CLAYDERMANREVERIES / TRÄUMEREIEN2x Platinum1,000,0001979
148VARIOUS ARTISTSDAS DSCHUNGELBUCH FOLGE 12x Platinum1,000,0001979
149BONEY MNIGHTFLIGHT TO VENUS2x Platinum1,000,0001978
150MARIUS MÜLLER-WESTERNHAGENMIT PFEFFERMINZ BIN ICH DEIN PRINZ2x Platinum1,000,0001978
151ABBAARRIVAL2x Platinum1,000,0001976
152CAT STEVENSGREATEST HITS2x Platinum1,000,0001975
153PINK FLOYDDARK SIDE OF THE MOON2x Platinum1,000,0001973

Timeline of the best-selling albums in Germany

DateArtistAlbumCertificationSales
1978Bee GeesSaturday Night Fever5x Gold1,250,000
1978Bee GeesSaturday Night Fever3x Platin1,500,000
1990SoundtrackDirty Dancing4x Platin2,000,000
1990Phil CollinsBut Seriously5x Platin2,500,000
1994Phil CollinsBut Seriously6x Platin3,000,000
2005Herbert GrönemeyerMensch21x Gold3,150,000
2021SoundtrackDirty Dancing13x Gold3,250,000

See also. Best-selling albums by country: