Wave of insolvencies in Thuringia: companies and consumers severely affected

Wave of insolvencies in Thuringia: companies and consumers severely affected

In Thuringia there was a significant increase in corporate and consumer insolvencies in the first half of 2025. The State Statistical Office in Erfurt reports an increase in corporate insolvencies of around an eighth compared to the previous year. While 150 companies filed for bankruptcy in 2024, there were 169 companies that became insolvent in the first six months of the current year - an increase of 19 bankruptcies. The automotive sector and industry are particularly affected, as they suffer significantly from increased costs and sales problems.

The impact of these bankruptcies is profound: a total of 1,268 employees lost their jobs as a result of these proceedings. The expected creditor claims amount to around 142 million euros. Consumers are also suffering greatly from the financial burden. Consumer bankruptcies rose by 11.6 percent, of which 762 cases were filed with the Thuringian district courts. This accounts for 65 percent of all bankruptcies in the state. The average debt of private debtors is 60,175 euros, and the claims amount to almost 45.9 million euros. This is further reinforced by the circumstances of the previous year - in the first quarter of 2024, consumer bankruptcies rose by 33 percent, and unpaid claims amounted to a whopping 127.5 million euros.

Current trend development

According to borkenerzeitung.de, motor vehicle dealers and repair shops are the most frequently affected, with 34 cases so far this year. Following are industrial and construction companies struggling with cycles of economic uncertainty. Assessments of the economic situation in Thuringia are mixed. Patrik-Ludwig Hantzsch from Creditreform-Wirtschaftsforschung points out that the crises of recent years are now becoming visible in the form of bankruptcies. Experts warn that this development will not stop in the coming months.

In the entire period from January to June 2025, the local courts decided on 1,173 insolvency proceedings. Exactly 96 corporate insolvencies were registered in the first quarter, which corresponds to an increase of 24 percent compared to the previous year. Sectors such as the motor vehicle trade (22 insolvency proceedings) and industry (11 insolvency proceedings) are particularly negatively affected.

The picture of insolvent companies

• Autohaus Galant GmbH, Meiningen
• Autohaus Staffel Kronach GmbH, Meiningen
• Mareli Media GmbH, Erfurt
• Hentrich Personaldienstleistungen GmbH, Mühlhausen
• Collection55 GmbH, Gera

These companies are just a few that filed for insolvency in the first half of 2025, as documented by infobroker.de. Special service providers such as Hentrich Personnel Services and media companies are also among those that have not been able to recover from the current economic conditions. In addition to these cases, there are a large number of small and large companies that find themselves in a similar situation.

Given the large number of bankruptcies, the shrewd business trader is wondering whether the situation in Thuringia will stabilize or whether further applications are just around the corner. Companies generally have options for restructuring, but the investment climate remains tense. Nevertheless, there are voices that look to the future with optimism and speak of times of renewal and opportunities that can arise from difficult times. With its relatively low insolvency rate compared to the rest of the country, Thuringia remains an interesting economic terrain.