List of former German colonies

This is a list of former German colonies and protectorates (German: Schutzgebiete) outside of the European borders of Prussia and the German Empire.

These were colonies unsuccessfully settled by Brandenburg-Prussia (part of the Holy Roman Empire realm), since 1701 Kingdom of Prussia, before the foundation of the German Empire in 1871.

These territories were held briefly under lease or occupation during the early European colonizations of the New World.

These were colonies of the Habsburg Monarchy (part of the Holy Roman Empire of German Nation realm), since 1804 Austrian Empire, since 1867 Austria-Hungary.

These are colonies settled by and controlled by the German Empire from 1884 to 1919. Those territories constituted the German Colonial Empire.

The following were German African protectorates:

These were German colonies in the Pacific:

These Treaty ports were German concessions in China, leased to it by the Qing Dynasty.

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