Two tridentate phosphinethiolate ligands, [PhP(C6H4S-2)2]2-, coordinate to the Ge(IV) centre in a facial manner yielding the title compound, [Ge(C18H13PS2)2], which exhibits a pseudo-twofold symmetry with the two P-atom donors in a cis configuration. The Ge centre has a distorted octahedral environment. Two phenyl rings, one from each of the phosphinethiolate ligands, are parallel to one another, indicating pi-pi interactions. The molecules are linked by weak C-H...pi and C-H...S interactions.