The German participating broadcaster on behalf of ARD, Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR), selected their entry through a national final.

Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR) held the national final on 31 March 1988 at the Frankenhalle in Nuremberg, hosted by Jenny Jürgens.

[2][3] One of the songs which failed to qualify for the 1988 German national final, "Das Beste" by male-female duo Duett, later became embroiled in controversy when it was entered by the same performers in the 1990 Austrian national final, which it duly won in dramatic circumstances after the female singer had appeared to faint onstage during the initial performance.

On the evening of the final the duo performed 11th in the running order, following Ireland and preceding Austria.

At the close of voting, "Lied für einen Freund" had received 48 points, placing Germany 14th of the 21 entries.