Austria sees rise in private insolvencies amid economic pressure

The Austrian Chamber of Commerce (AKV) reports that in the first half of 2026 private insolvency procedures rose 4.8% to 4,718 cases, with total private insolvencies—including dismissals—reaching 5,171. The aggregate debt of opened private insolvencies climbed to about €830.8 million, raising the average debt per case to €176,000. Company insolvency filings fell for the first time in three years, with 2,005 new corporate cases, a 7.69% decline from the previous year, while overall corporate insolvency numbers rose slightly to 3,659 due to increased dismissals.

Information‑service provider CRIF Austria recorded 4,722 private bankruptcies in the same period, also a 4.8% increase. Based on the trend, CRIF now forecasts up to 9,500 private bankruptcies for the full year 2026, the second‑highest level in the past decade. The rise is attributed to high living costs, rising unemployment and lingering economic uncertainty. Anca Eisner‑Schwarz, managing director of CRIF Austria, warned that “many households remain under significant financial pressure despite a modest easing of inflation,” highlighting the broader strain on private finances.