The German participating broadcaster on behalf of ARD, Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR), organised the national final Countdown Grand Prix 1998 in order to select their entry for the contest.

The national final took place on 26 February 1998 and featured eleven competing acts with the winner being selected through public televoting.

In 1997, the German entry "Zeit" performed by Bianca Shomburg placed eighteenth out of twenty-five competing songs scoring 22 points.

[3][2][4] The televised final took place on 26 February 1998 at the Stadthalle in Bremen, hosted by Axel Bulthaupt and Nena and broadcast on Das Erste.

[8] According to Eurovision rules, all nations with the exceptions of the eight countries which had obtained the lowest average number of points over the last five contests competed in the final on 9 May 1998.

Germany was originally relegated for being one of the eight lowest scoring countries but was eventually allowed to compete after Italy withdrew from the contest.

under the pseudonym Alf Igel,[b] and Guildo Horn performed on stage together with his band Die Orthopädischen Strümpfe.