[6] On the strength of the 1987–88 title BFC Dynamo qualified for the 1988–89 European Cup where the club was knocked out in an East-West German encounter by SV Werder Bremen in the first round.
Sixth-placed club FC Carl Zeiss Jena qualified for the 1988–89 European Cup Winners' Cup as the seasons FDGB-Pokal runners-up and was knocked out by Sampdoria second round.
FC Lokomotive Leipzig qualified for the 1988–89 UEFA Cup where it was knocked out by S.S.C.
Napoli in the second round while third-placed Dynamo Dresden lost to VfB Stuttgart in the semi-finals.
[7] The 1987–88 season saw two newly promoted clubs, Hallescher FC Chemie and F.C.