Company foundations remain central to Germany’s economy, yet the location faces major challenges. The current DIHK Startup Report 2025 shows that founders are struggling with bureaucratic hurdles, lengthy procedures, and a weak economy. At the same time, the demand for simpler rules, more digital processes, and greater recognition of entrepreneurship is growing.
Key Messages
The German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) Report 2025 makes it evident: Entrepreneurs in Germany are mostly dissatisfied with the existing framework conditions.
Excessive bureaucracy, slow procedures, and complex regulations hinder innovation and entrepreneurial spirit.
At the same time, there is great potential: Women are founding businesses at an unprecedented rate, digital IHK services are being increasingly used, and many people are eager to become self-employed despite challenging economic conditions.
The priority now is to make starting a business quicker, simpler, and more digital – through a genuine one-stop-shop approach, transparent processes, rapid tax identification number allocation, and reduced bureaucracy.
This is the only way Germany can enhance its dynamic entrepreneurial environment and sustainably maintain its attractiveness as a location.
Startup interest at its lowest
Despite its great economic importance, startup interest remains low. The number of initial consultations and advice sessions in the IHKs is barely above the lowest point seen in 2023. Many aspiring entrepreneurs choose the safer route: 38% start part-time, with this figure rising. The reasons include an uncertain economy, rising living costs, and challenging financial situations.
Skills shortages also have a dampening effect – albeit less pronounced than in previous years. At the same time, crisis periods spur motivation. More people from affected industries are developing concrete business concepts and utilizing the IHK’s offerings more intensively.
Bureaucracy as the main brake
The feedback from IHK consultations and the nationwide DIHK survey is clear:
- 74% call for faster and simpler regulations.
- 57% seek simplified tax legislation.
- 37% demand better access to funding.
Founders speak of a “regulatory jungle,” lengthy approval procedures, unclear processes, and a lack of digital seamlessness. Allocation of tax numbers takes several months in certain regions – a problem that can existentially burden young companies.
Modernization & 24h Startups
The federal government has announced key steps with its modernization agenda. These include:
- a unified, digitized administration,
- a bureaucracy reporting portal,
- standardized interfaces for business registrations,
- and the goal of nationwide 24-hour startup processes.
However, the report shows the decisive factor is a consistently user-oriented approach. Founders need not only a digital business registration but also quick tax numbers, clear approval processes, and a user-friendly one-stop structure – ideally linked to existing platforms such as “Unternehmenswerkstatt Deutschland.”
Women in startups
A strong signal: 47% of those seeking advice in IHK startup consultations are now women – a record value. For them, certain aspects are particularly important:
- more flexibility (94%),
- financial independence (68%),
- societal contribution through social entrepreneurship (42%).
The DIHK and IHKs support this trend with targeted networks, projects like Business Women IHK, and nationwide initiatives such as “I will be the boss”.
Founder priorities
In addition to reducing bureaucracy, further demands rank highly:
- Greater appreciation for entrepreneurship (30%).
- Lower energy costs (22%).
- Better digital infrastructure – especially in rural areas (16%).
- Simplified financing options (15%), including better access to venture capital.
- Facilitated recruitment of skilled labor, e.g., through more digital visa processes (7%).
- Enhanced networking with established companies and other startups.
Download
DIHK Startup Report 2025 (PDF, 1 MB)(only available in German)
- Relevant in topic:
- Unternehmensentwicklung
- Key areas:
-
- Mittelstand
- Gründung
- Bürokratie
Released 04.11.2025
Modified 26.02.2026
Contact
Dr. Marc Evers
Director Policy for SMEs, Start-ups, and Business Succession