According to Creditreform, a business information firm, the number of corporate insolvencies in Germany is expected to continue rising, with a decline not anticipated for at least another year. Ludwig Hantzsch, head of Creditreform’s Economic Research department, told the publication “Bild” (Thursday edition) that a peak is projected toward the end of 2026, noting that the count will keep rising steadily until the year’s end. He added that a reversal of the trend would only be realistic during 2027.
Hantzsch attributes the persistent increase in insolvency figures to the continuously weak economic situation, which keeps the financial footing of many companies stressed. He described this situation internally as a “crisis squeeze,” damaging and affecting the German economy from two different angles.
These pressures come from both external and internal factors. On one hand, geopolitical conflicts, US tariffs, softening demand from China, and the erosion of industrial competitiveness are pressuring businesses. On the other hand, high energy costs, increased taxes, and extensive domestic regulations are placing significant strain on companies.
Citing Creditreform data, the firm reports that 7.5 percent of companies can no longer cover their interest payments with their operating results, while another 19.5 percent find their debt sustainability seriously strained. This means that approximately 27 percent of all businesses are currently under financial pressure.
In the first half of 2026, Creditreform registered around 12,900 corporate insolvencies, marking the highest level since 2013. Simultaneously, the losses faced by creditors remain substantial; by mid-year, the estimated total damage was calculated at 28.5 billion euros. Increasingly, even larger companies with several hundred employees are being affected.
