Study: Industry to Increase Foreign Investment in 2026
More and more German companies are shifting their investments abroad. The main reason is cost pressure in Germany. A study by the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) shows just how profoundly companies’ investment strategies are changing—with far-reaching consequences for growth, employment, and competitiveness.
Foreign investment at record levels
43 percent of German industrial companies plan to invest abroad in 2026. That is three percentage points more than the previous year and underscores a clear trend: International locations continue to gain in importance.
This trend is not a short-term anomaly, but rather a reflection of structural changes. While the focus used to be on expansion and market development, a different motivation has now taken center stage.
Cost Pressure as the Main Driver of Relocation
At 41 percent, a historically high proportion of companies cite cost savings as the main reason for investing abroad—the highest figure since 2003.
According to the DIHK, the causes are clear:
- rising energy prices
- high labor costs
- increasing bureaucratic burdens
- weak economy
These factors mean that companies are increasingly forced to relocate their production abroad in order to remain competitive.
Decline in Traditional Growth Investments
Particularly noteworthy: Investments aimed at entering new markets or expanding sales and service are becoming less important.
- Sales/Customer Service: Decline from 35 to 31 percent
- Market Penetration: Decline from 30 to 28 Percent
This is a cause for concern. After all, it is precisely these types of foreign investment that have often had positive effects on the domestic economy in the past—for example, through increased exports or the creation of new jobs.
Regional Shifts in Investment Targets
Geographically as well, the priorities of German companies are changing significantly:
Europe Remains Stable
The eurozone remains the most important target region, accounting for 64 percent. Stability, the single market, and the common currency provide a reliable framework.
North America Is Losing Its Appeal
The share is falling from 48 to 44 percent. The main reasons are trade policy uncertainties and tariff disputes.
Asia Is Regaining Importance
The importance of Asian markets is growing noticeably: In China, the share of companies making investments is rising from 31 to 34 percent, while the Asia-Pacific region (excluding China) is seeing a significant increase from 21 to 26 percent.
Companies are increasingly turning to “local for local” strategies and deliberately manufacturing locally to serve their respective markets directly.
Credit Insurance Is Essential in Asia
As Asian markets grow in importance, the risks for many companies are also increasing: New markets mean new business partners, different legal frameworks, and greater uncertainty regarding cash flows.
This is exactly where credit insurance becomes a key strategic tool.
It protects against payment defaults both domestically and abroad, stabilizes cash flow, and enables companies to continue growing even in dynamic but uncertain markets. At the same time, it provides reliable credit information on international business partners—a crucial advantage when expanding into China, India, or other Asian growth markets.
Providers such as GFL—Gesellschaften für Liquidität—support companies with tailored solutions. Through international networks such as CREDEA, global credit insurance strategies can be implemented that provide targeted risk protection while also opening up growth opportunities.
Especially in times of rising insolvencies and geopolitical uncertainties, this protection provides the planning certainty needed to consistently capitalize on opportunities in Asia without taking on existential risks.
