German Corporate Bankruptcies Hit 13-Year High

The number of corporate bankruptcies in Germany rose by 6.7% from a year earlier in the first half of 2026. From January through June, local courts recorded 12,812 corporate insolvency filings, according to the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis).

This was the highest number for the first half of a year since 2013, when 13,253 cases were recorded. However, creditors’ claims against insolvent companies fell from around €28.2bn ($32.5bn) last year to €18.5bn ($21.3bn). According to Destatis, this was because more economically significant companies filed for insolvency in the first half of 2025.

The highest insolvency rate was recorded in transportation and warehousing, with 71.6 cases per 10,000 companies. This was followed by accommodation and food services with 59.6 cases and construction with 53.4.

In June alone, courts recorded 2,266 corporate insolvencies, up 15.8% from a year earlier. Consumer insolvencies rose by 5.1% to 6,839. Across the first half of the year, there were 38,932 consumer insolvencies, an increase of 2.4% from the same period last year.

(lud)