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This list includes music artists with at least five million record sales in Germany, based on certifications by the BVMI (Bundesverband Musikindustrie).[1] Artists are ranked in descending order.
Awards are only presented if and when a record company applies for certification, it is not done automatically. Only records that were declared to and registered by the BVMI receive awards. The BVMI began its certifications in 1975, therefore popular artists from earlier eras are generally not represented on this list. This excludes artists such asHeintje Simons,Peter Alexander,Freddy Quinn,Caterina Valente, or theRolling Stones, and may explain the lower-than-expected sales figures for pre-1975 artists likeThe Beatles. Certifications are based on a record's release date.[2]
Video albums have been included since 1991 and streaming since 2016.[3] Until 5 April 2018, aunit was equal to 1000 streams for albums and 100 streams for singles. Those numbers were raised to 2000 streams for albums and 200 streams for singles on 6 April of that year.[4]
Artists by certified units
[edit]13 million records or more
[edit]| Name | Certification period | Certified units |
|---|
| Herbert Grönemeyer | 1984–2018 | 18,075,000 |
| Michael Jackson | 1983–2026 | 15,125,000 |
| Peter Maffay | 1979–2018 | 14,350,000 |
| Phil Collins | 1981–2011 | 14,300,000 |
| Rolf Zuckowski | 1989–2012 | 13,975,000 |
| Die Toten Hosen | 1989–2018 | 13,650,000 |
| Ed Sheeran | 2012–2022 | 13,350,000 |
11 to 12.9 million records
[edit]| Name | Certification period | Certified units |
|---|
| Queen | 1978–2018 | 12,625,000 |
| Madonna | 1985–2012 | 12,550,000 |
| Rihanna | 2007–2023 | 12,275,000 |
| Marius Müller-Westernhagen | 1981–2017 | 12,075,000 |
| Helene Fischer | 2007–2018 | 11,150,000 |
9 to 10.9 million records
[edit]| Name | Certification period | Certified units |
|---|
| AC/DC | 1980–2016 | 10,600,000 |
| Robbie Williams | 2000–2018 |
| ABBA | 1976–2008 | 10,550,000 |
| Coldplay | 2000–2026 | 10,250,000 |
| Andrea Berg | 2002–2017 | 9,600,000 |
| Elton John | 1982–2004 | 9,550,000 |
| Pur | 1993–2017 | 9,525,000 |
7 to 8.9 million records
[edit]| Name | Certification period | Certified units |
|---|
| Lady Gaga | 2008-2025 | 8,750,000 |
| Die Flippers | 1987–2012 | 8,650,000 |
| Britney Spears | 1999–2023 | 8,200,000 |
| Céline Dion | 1996–2003 | 8,000,000 |
| Die Ärzte | 1988–2012 | 7,850,000 |
| Wolfgang Petry | 1983–2014 | 7,825,000 |
| David Guetta | 2010–2018 | 7,800,000 |
| The Beatles | 1993–2007 | 7,600,000 |
| Pink Floyd | 1977–2015 | 7,500,000 |
6 to 6.9 million records
[edit]| Name | Certification period | Certified units |
|---|
| Bee Gees | 1978–2005 | 6,675,000 |
| Eminem | 2000–2018 | 6,625,000 |
| Shakira | 2001 - 2017 | 6,525,000 |
| Backstreet Boys | 1996–2003 | 6,500,000 |
| Dieter Bohlen | 1985–2017 | 6,400,000 |
| Whitney Houston | 1985–2012 | 6,400,000 |
| Tina Turner | 1985–2009 | 6,300,000 |
| Roger Whittaker | 1977–2011 | 6,100,000 |
| Katy Perry | 2008-2026 | 6.100,000 |
| The Kelly Family | 1994–2017 | 6,075,000 |
| Joe Cocker | 1986–2014 | 6,050,000 |
| Depeche Mode | 1985–2017 |
| Andrea Bocelli | 1996–1999 | 6,000,000 |
5 to 5.9 million records
[edit]| Name | Certification period | Certified units |
|---|
| Eros Ramazzotti | 1988–2013 | 5,950,000 |
| BAP | 1982–2013 | 5,900,000 |
| Genesis | 1978–2008 | 5,875,000 |
| P!nk | 2002–2017 |
| Linkin Park | 2001–2017 | 5,850,000 |
| U2 | 1986–2018 | 5,700,000 |
| Modern Talking | 1985–2003 | 5,700,000 |
| Xavier Naidoo | 1998–2016 | 5,625,000 |
| Roxette | 1990–2012 |
| Sting | 1986–2012 | 5,600,000 |
| Beyoncé | 2003–2024 | 5,510,000 |
| Simply Red | 1986–2013 | 5,350,000 |
| James Last | 1976–1999 | 5,250,000 |
| Avicii | 2012–2018 | 5,200,000 |
| Timbaland | 2000–2018 |
| Unheilig | 2010–2017 |
| Bon Jovi | 1987–2013 | 5,150,000 |