40% of German companies with activity in Spain expect to increase their investments in the country In the next twelve months, compared to 24% corresponding to the barometer published in Autumn of 2024. This has been revealed by the Spring 2025 edition of the AHK Barometer, published by the German Chamber of Commerce for Spain in collaboration with the German Industry and Commerce Chamber (DIHK), which semiannually reflects the short and medium -term economic forecasts of the German companies present in Spain.
The report evidence that the number of companies that do not plan to modify their investment levels, with 43%, and also slightly descend the option ‘No investment’ (4%). Although 13% of companies contemplate some reduction of their investments, The general balance is “clearly positive,” pointing towards a new investment cycle promoted by greater confidence and planning in the medium term.
According to the study, The positive prospects of German companies They are also reflected in terms of the evolution of their workforce, whose increase is in the plans of 38% of the companies surveyed, in line with the spring levels of 2024 and slightly above the autumn data (36%).
In turn, the proportion of companies that do not contemplate changes rises to 46%, while those that anticipate a reduction fall to 16% after reaching a 20% peak in the last barometer. From the German Chamber of Commerce for Spain, they claim that moderation in adjustment forecasts “It reflects greater stability in personnel strategies.”
Barometer data show that 95% of German companies in Spain values their current economic situation as positive, with 59% that qualifies it good and 36% satisfactory. Regarding companies with a negative perception, the proportion falls dramatically, of 18% registered in the barometer before only 5%, similar to 3% registered a year ago, according to the report collected by EP.
«This evolution indicates a recovery of the business confidence climate, after the bump observed in autumn of 2024. In this line they also point the expectations for the next 12 months, which reflect the highest level of optimism in the last year, With 47% of the companies that contemplate an improvement In its economic situation, compared to 36% corresponding to the previous barometer, ”the German Chamber has detailed. At the same time, the report shows that companies that do not anticipate changes are reduced from 47 to 43%, while those who foreseen a worsening fall from 17%to 11%.
On the evolution of the Spanish economy, German companies in Spain maintain a “prudent” vision, since 58% believe that the situation will not change and only 17% expect an improvement in the next 12 months, almost three points below the autumn data. Although negative forecasts (25%) also decrease slightly compared to the previous barometer (25.8%), perception “It continues to be markedly conservative.”
Among the latent risks for the development of the business of German companies, The economic and political framework It is positioned as the main factor for 75% of German companies in Spain, compared to 55% corresponding to the previous barometer, as “reflex” of the current geopolitical situation and the advertisements of changes in the rules of international trade by the United States.
The demand, which led the list in autumn, loses weight and falls to 46%, while persisting structural concerns such as the shortage of qualified labor (34%) and labor costs (28%). Commercial barriers scale positions up to 28%, because of the growing global tensions, compared to 3% reflected in the Spring Barometer 2024. In contrast, the risks perceived by German companies In terms of energy, logistics and financing They remain at low or moderate levels.
Regarding the impacts of the new trade policy of the US administration, 70% of German companies surveyed a light negative impact In its business at the local level, compared to 16% that contemplates a great negative impact and 13% that does not provide any consequence. Among the main perceived risks to five years, companies are mostly concerned about trade obstacles and conflicts (67%), the challenges of digital transformation and artificial intelligence (63%), cybersecurity (51%) and the fragmentation of the world economy (47%).
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