16:46 27 April 2026
Report: millions of European companies could fail within a year
According to the European Payment Report 2026 by Intrum, up to 11 million European businesses could face bankruptcy within the next year, putting as many as 66 million jobs at risk. While nearly two-thirds of companies prioritize growth, half are scaling back investment due to higher financing costs and geopolitical uncertainty.
About 47% expect an economic slowdown, with trade tensions, tariffs, and global instability increasing risk. Late payments are a major concern, with 60% of firms saying overdue invoices have hindered growth and strained business relationships.
Companies are tightening payment terms and focusing on liquidity. Poland stands out as relatively stable, with fewer concerns about insolvency and faster payment recovery compared to the European average.
