A 0.5% decrease in business registrations and a 5.7% increase in bankruptcies were recorded by Eurostat in the EU in the second quarter of 2026, compared with the first quarter of the same year. The data point to a slowdown in new business registrations, while bankruptcy declarations are moving upwards.
For the hospitality sector and, more specifically, accommodation and food services, the data show a decline in registrations and a slight decrease in bankruptcies, in an environment where developments are not uniform across all sectors of the economy.
What the data show by sector
Business registrations in the EU decreased in 5 out of 8 sectors of the business economy. The largest decline was recorded in industry (-3.6%), followed by accommodation and food services (-3.4%) and education and social services (-3.2%).
By contrast, an increase in registrations was recorded in the information and communication sector at +8.8% and in construction at +1.0%, while financial services remained stable.
In terms of bankruptcies, Eurostat reports an increase in 5 out of 8 sectors. The largest increases were recorded in education and social activities (+21.1%), transport (+11.4%) and financial services (+6.8%).
Decreases in bankruptcies were recorded in accommodation and food services at -2.6%, in construction at -1.7% and in trade at -1.2%.
Why it matters for the hospitality market
For hospitality, accommodation and short-term rental professionals, the key point is not only the overall picture in the EU, but also the fact that the accommodation and food services sector was among those that recorded a decline in new registrations. At the same time, bankruptcies in the same sector declined marginally compared with the previous quarter.
Eurostat’s data provide a quarterly picture of business activity and do not, on their own, explain the reasons behind the changes. However, they show that the performance of individual sectors remains uneven, with different pressures and dynamics across activities.
