Her latest album, Circus, is released in the UK on Monday, one day ahead of the singer's 27th birthday.
Chart-topping singer Leona Lewis was among the other winners at Thursday's ceremony, picking up the Shooting Star prize.
Hollywood stars Meg Ryan and Keanu Reeves were also honoured at the awards, which have been bestowed by the Hubert Burda Media group since 1948.
The annual ceremony, it said, "honours people who have especially moved and elated the German audience with their vision and creativity".
Last year's event in Dusseldorf saw Tom Cruise, Sophia Loren and Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria Parker walk away with distinctive deer-shaped statuettes.
Earlier this week it was confirmed Spears will play two concerts in London next June as part of her forthcoming world tour.
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