Germany sees surge in corporate and consumer insolvencies in March 2026

German courts recorded 2,308 corporate insolvency filings in March 2026, a 15.8 % increase over the same month a year earlier. In the first quarter of 2026, 6,275 company insolvencies were filed, 6.5 % higher than in Q1 2025. Creditors’ claims on these filings fell to about €9.3 billion, down from €19.9 billion a year earlier, reflecting a shift toward smaller firms.

The transport and storage sector had the highest insolvency rate, with 32.1 cases per 10,000 businesses, followed by hospitality (30.3) and construction (26.7). Consumer insolvencies also rose, with 7,462 filings in March 2026 (up 18.9 % YoY) and 19,679 in Q1 2026 (up 6 % YoY). Data note: filings enter statistics only after a court’s first decision, typically three months after the initial application.

Analysts expect the trend to continue as higher energy and raw‑material costs, geopolitical tensions and a weaker economy put pressure on firms. A study by EY Parthenon foresees heightened restructuring activity, especially in the auto and machinery sectors, while pressure eases in real estate.