Germany and Austria report divergent insolvency trends

In Germany, corporate insolvencies reached their highest level for a first half of the year since 2013. According to data from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), 12,812 business insolvency filings were recorded from January to June 2026, marking a 6.7% increase compared to the same period last year. A significant spike occurred in June, with 2,266 filings, up 15.8% from the previous year. The sectors most affected include transport and storage, hospitality, and construction.

While the number of cases is rising, the total value of creditor claims fell to approximately 18.5 billion euros from 28.2 billion euros in the first half of 2025. This suggests that the current wave consists of smaller-scale companies rather than major economic players.

In Austria, the insolvency situation shows signs of stabilization. Creditreform reported 8,535 total corporate and private insolvencies in the first half of 2026. Corporate insolvencies decreased by 1.5%, suggesting the peak of the wave may have passed, particularly in the industrial and retail sectors. However, private insolvencies in Austria have seen a short-term increase due to changes in repayment plans.