Mrs Merkel, head of the Christian Democratic Union Party (CDU), starts her fourth term as German chancellor, capping months of political uncertainty as she bartered with her rivals of the social democratic SPD to help govern Europe’s top economy in a “grand coalition”.
German lawmakers voted by 364 to 315, with nine abstentions, in favour of re-electing the 63-year-old.
Speaking after the vote, she told the Bundestag lower house of parliament: “I accept the vote.”
This will be her 13th year as Chancellor of Germany after she was first elected in 2005.
Photos show Mrs Merkel receiving her certificate from German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.