More and more German companies present in Romania are becoming pessimistic about the country’s economic future, according to the Romanian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AHK Romania) in the spring questionnaire. Although approximately one third of the surveyed companies evaluate their current business situation as good, the share of pessimists increases significantly. The evaluation of the current business situation is moving visibly in a negative direction. 32% of companies evaluate their situation in 2026 as «good» (2025: 28%), 46% as «satisfactory» and 22% as «poor». The share of those who indicate it as «weak» has doubled from one year to the next, from 10% (2025) to 22% (2026). You may also be interested: The future also looks uncertain: 32% of the companies surveyed expect an improvement in the business situation (2025: 37%), 43% an unchanged situation (2025: 38%) and 25% a deterioration (2025: 26%). Optimism decreases, while the share of negative expectations remains at a high level. And the expectations regarding the Romanian economy as a whole reflect the uncertainty: 48% anticipate a weaker evolution this year (2025: 57%), 32% an unchanged one (2025: 43%) and 20% a better one (2025: 0%). The economic recovery is overshadowed by current political events. Investment plans indicate restraint. For 2026, 45% of companies report unchanged investment spending, 28% report their increase and 28% decrease. The emphasis thus falls on waiting, not on expansion. «The country currently has the lowest level of the investment rating, and we need a clear signal that the credibility of the state’s finances is maintained. Otherwise there is a risk of losing the last investment rating, which would lead to the deterioration of the exchange rate, to higher interest rates, higher costs, higher inflation and more serious budget problems,» said Volker Raffel, president of AHK Romania. A similar picture emerges regarding employment: 57% of companies expect the number of employees to remain unchanged in 2026, only 22% plan recruitments, and 22% anticipate a decrease. After the significant setback of the «growing» category in the previous year (2025: 24%), here too the dynamics remain low – companies are unsure and prefer to wait. «Companies are currently under considerable pressure as a result of rising costs, more difficult financing conditions and persistent political uncertainty. At the same time, Romania remains a market with considerable business potential. All the more important now is a government able to act, which consistently pursues reforms and ensures stability, continuity and, implicitly, more predictability. A reliable economic policy framework is an essential condition for companies to start investing again and be able to plan for the long term», explains Sebastian Metz, general manager and member of the Board of Directors of AHK Romania. About the Romanian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AHK Romania) AHK Romania is the official representation of the German economy. Established in 2002, AHK has more than 700 members and offers companies an important platform for networking, exchange of information and experiences.
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