It has both meanings:
Freund/Freundin: boyfriend/girlfriend
but also Freund/Freundin: friend (just friendship)
I try to understand what kind of relationship it refers to from the context.
For example, if someone says: "Ich habe viele Deutsche Freunde" it should be clear that it means: "I have many German friends" (just friendship).
If a girl told me: "Ich wohne mit meinem Freund" I would suppose that she speaks about her boyfriend.
Best regards,
Cristina