Investing in CEE: Inbound M&A report 2025/2026

InsightsPublications and eventsSurveys and studies

Investing in CEE: Inbound M&A report 2025/2026

16 February 2026
Large-cap transactions were the defining theme of CEE dealmaking in 2025, despite severe geopolitical headwinds. With record intraregional investment and ever-improving economic fundamentals, the regional M&A activity in the past year indicates continued growth in 2026.

Download the report

Key findings

  • The aggregate value of disclosed M&A activity totalled €42.5bn
  • The region saw 1,300+ transactions in 2025
  • Acquirers shifted their focus to premium assets
  • The share of aggregate value generated by inbound deals led by acquirers within CEE reached its highest level on record in 2025
  • Poland, Austria, Romania and Lithuania stand out as the region’s most active M&A markets by volume in 2025
  • Technology, industrials and energy were the top three inbound M&A deals generators
  • The strongest sectors by transaction value were financial services, healthcare, and technology

Outlook for the coming months

Looking ahead, continuing uncertainty around US trade tariffs is likely to have an impact on dealmaking in 2026. The knock-on effects of tariffs are also likely to become increasingly apparent: trade diversion is one of these, with Chinese exports increasingly steered away from the US and towards Europe instead.

Meanwhile, the interest rate environment looks set to remain benign, at least in the eurozone., and GDP growth in CEE continues to power ahead, outpacing Western Europe. All of these factors indicate a good M&A dynamic in 2026.
 

Fill in the form below to download your free copy of our report:

* Mandatory fields. Without this information we will be unable to process your request.

Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required. If the required field is left blank, your application cannot be processed. Your personal data is collected for the purpose of processing your application. For information on the processing of personal data, please refer to Forvis Mazars in Slovakia Privacy Policy: https://www.forvismazars.com/sk/en/legals/legal-and-privacy

Want to know more?

30 Jan 2026

Global private equity report 2026

The Forvis Mazars global private equity outlook 2026 delivers exclusive insights from over 800 private equity professionals across regions, sectors and investment strategies. Explore our global report and insights into how investor priorities are evolving amid changing market conditions.

Read more

Forvis Mazars 3rd in M&A Transaction Services 2025

Forvis Mazars has secured the 3rd position in Central & Eastern Europe by number of successful Transaction Services projects advised, based on the “Mergermarket CEE Accountant League Table 2025”. At global level, we ranked 8th by number of successful deals advised, according to "Mergermarket Accountant League Table 2025".

Read more