Projections give the centre-left Social Democrats a narrow lead in the race to succeed Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Their candidate, Olaf Scholz, said the country had voted for change, and that he was ready to form and lead the next government.
The Christian Democrat candidate (and Mrs Merkel's chosen successor) Armin Laschet, said he too wanted to lead the next government - although he acknowledged his party's result was not what he had hoped for.
The Greens came third in the election, with the liberal FDP behind them. With possibly three parties needed for a majority, the coalition talks are expected to be long and difficult.
We could be waiting weeks to find out who will be Germany's next leader.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-europe-58644812