Austria sees rise in personal bankruptcies in 2026

Personal bankruptcies in Austria have risen significantly during the first nine months of 2026. According to data from Creditreform, there were 7,897 registered personal insolvencies nationwide, representing a 12.2 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

Vienna recorded the highest number of cases with 2,584 filings, resulting in a rate of 16.2 bankruptcies per 10,000 adults. While corporate insolvencies in Vienna saw a slight decline of 2.7 percent, the city maintains the highest corporate insolvency rate in the country. The gastronomy and construction sectors are noted as being under particular pressure.

Regional data shows sharp increases in several states. Lower Austria saw a 13.4 percent rise, totaling 1,204 cases. Other notable increases occurred in Tyrol (+30.2 percent), Styria (+21.8 percent), and Burgenland (+20.4 percent).

Experts attribute the surge primarily to a legal change regarding the expiration of a three-year repayment period in mid-July, which allowed many individuals to seek faster debt relief. Inflation and rising living costs for households with low financial reserves also contributed to the trend.