Foreign intelligence services carry out espionage activities in Germany, also using human sources (HUMINT). By various means, they try to make both German nationals and individuals from their respective countries cooperate with them.

However, it is possible to minimise potential threats. For this purpose, also the security agencies can be involved. The German domestic intelligence services are responsible for countering espionage and sabotage activities carried out by foreign intelligence services; they are available as a confidential point of contact