For an increasing number of German companies, Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) is becoming a fully-fledged component of their European strategy – simultaneously a dynamic sales market, a key sourcing hub, and an operational base capable of meeting global challenges.
The annual survey conducted by KPMG in Germany and the German Eastern Business Association at the turn of 2025 and 2026 among 115 companies clearly indicates a direction: confidence in the region is growing, investment plans are strengthening, and CEE – with projected GDP growth of 2.9% in 2026 – is outpacing almost the entire rest of the continent. Against this backdrop, Poland emerges as the undisputed leader of the region: the largest economy, Germany’s most important trading partner in CEE, and the number one destination for investors.
The following overview presents the key findings of the report, with particular emphasis on the Polish perspective.
