The rise in insolvencies has halved compared with the first half of 2025
In the first half of this year, the number of corporate insolvency proceedings filed rose to around 12,800, an increase of 6.7%. However, compared with the first half of 2025, when the number of filings increased by 12.2%, the rate of increase has halved. The rise was largely driven by micro-enterprises. As a result, the number of employees affected by insolvencies fell by one tenth to 83,000, while the total value of outstanding claims fell by one third to €18.5 million.
The number of insolvent businesses rose particularly sharply in the energy supply, water supply and sewerage and waste management, mining, and education sectors. By contrast, the number of insolvent businesses declined in the sectors "Other personal services", "Manufacturing", and "Professional, scientific and technical services".
Positive developments in individual federal states
While the number of insolvency filings increased by double-digit rates compared with the first half of 2025 in Bremen, Schleswig-Holstein, Baden-Württemberg, Hesse and Brandenburg, the number of filings fell in Thuringia, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Berlin and Saarland.
Overall, insolvencies remain a relatively rare form of business closure. By comparison, 12,800 insolvency proceedings were filed in the first half of 2026, while 127,000 businesses were closed. Companies can also make use of special restructuring procedures within insolvency proceedings. However, these options are primarily used by larger businesses, particularly corporations and partnerships.
