In this article the psychometric properties of the German translation of the Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory (ECBI) are investigated. Parents of 5 218 children between 2 and 9 years of age completed the ECBI as well as the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Additionally, they provided socio-demographic information. The sample was recruited through pre- and elementary schools in three German cities. Return rates averaged 49 % of the target population. The results support the ECBI as a homogenous measure for behavior problems in childhood with very good power to discriminate between different levels of behavior problems. However, there are significant differences between intensity and problem score levels between countries with the present German sample yielding lower scores on both scales compared to the American sample. Since the intensity score is an important criterion used to decide about the initiation and completion of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), it is of great importance to use German norms.