Business succession
Business succession in Rhineland-Palatinate
National average: 52. That puts the state exactly at the average.
Source: IfM Bonn, Company successions in Germany 2026 to 2030 (Daten und Fakten No. 37, 2025)
Rhineland-Palatinate is strongly shaped by small and medium-sized family businesses, many of them in rural areas. Its proximity to Rhine-Main, Cologne-Bonn and Saarland makes takeovers appealing even to successors who are not from the region.
The region at a glance
Rhineland-Palatinate is a state of small and medium-sized businesses: skilled trades, winegrowing, food, tourism, plus chemicals and suppliers along the Rhine.
Many businesses are located in rural areas, in the Eifel, the Hunsrück, the Westerwald and the Palatinate. Finding a successor there is often harder, because young people move to the cities.
Its proximity to Rhine-Main, Cologne-Bonn, Saarland and Luxembourg makes many businesses appealing to successors from outside the region too.
Rhineland-Palatinate in numbers
- around 8,800
- businesses will be up for handover between 2026 and 2030
- 52
- successions per 1,000 businesses, national average 52
- Rank 9
- of 16 states, measured by number of businesses
Successions per 1,000 businesses compared by state
Source: IfM Bonn, Company successions in Germany 2026 to 2030 (Daten und Fakten No. 37, 2025)
Typical industries
- Skilled trades
- Winegrowing and food industry
- Chemicals and suppliers
- Tourism
- Retail and trade
Contacts in the state
Chambers
- 4 chambers of industry and commerce (IHK): Koblenz, Rheinhessen, Pfalz and Trier
- 4 chambers of skilled crafts (Handwerkskammer): Koblenz, Rheinhessen, Pfalz and Trier
Development bank
Investitions- und Strukturbank Rheinland-Pfalz (ISB, the state development bank)
Guarantee bank
Bürgschaftsbank Rheinland-Pfalz (the state guarantee bank)
Support programmes in Rhineland-Palatinate
A selection of programmes that can help with founding through acquisition and succession. Terms change, so the provider's page always applies. Applications usually run through your house bank and before the purchase.
There are also nationwide KfW programmes, such as the ERP-Gründerkredit StartGeld.
Succession guide for Rhineland-Palatinate
For successors
- Set your search profile: industry, size, region and your role
- Clarify your equity and talk to your house bank early
- Check support: Investitions- und Strukturbank Rheinland-Pfalz (ISB, the state development bank), KfW and investment capital
- Ask for a guarantee if collateral is missing: Bürgschaftsbank Rheinland-Pfalz (the state guarantee bank)
- Review the business with due diligence, tax and law with experts
- Plan a handover in stages with the current owner
For owners
- Clarify your goals: timing, your role afterwards, price expectations
- Clean up the figures and reduce dependencies on you personally
- Use succession advice from the chambers in Rhineland-Palatinate
- Get a realistic assessment of your business value
- Involve the team and key customers at the right time
- Meet suitable successors in person, for example through Nachfounder
How a takeover works in Rhineland-Palatinate
- 01
Sharpen your search profile
Decide on industry, size and region, and check whether a management buy-in fits you. - 02
Find businesses
Through chambers, the succession marketplace nexxt-change, your network or Nachfounder. First details usually come after a non-disclosure agreement. - 03
Check and finance
Review the business with due diligence, and put together financing with your house bank, Investitions- und Strukturbank Rheinland-Pfalz (ISB, the state development bank) and Bürgschaftsbank Rheinland-Pfalz (the state guarantee bank). - 04
Take over and hand over
Sign the purchase agreement and take on responsibility through a handover in stages.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Who helps with succession in Rhineland-Palatinate?
The chambers of industry and commerce and the chambers of skilled crafts in the state advise on succession. For financing, your house bank, Investitions- und Strukturbank Rheinland-Pfalz (ISB) and Bürgschaftsbank Rheinland-Pfalz are key contacts. Nachfounder also brings founders and businesses together.
How many businesses are up for succession in Rhineland-Palatinate?
IfM Bonn estimates around 8,800 successions for 2026 to 2030, about 52 per 1,000 businesses.
How do I finance a takeover in Rhineland-Palatinate?
Usually through a mix of equity, a bank loan and support programmes. Your house bank applies for development loans such as the KfW ERP-Gründerkredit StartGeld, alongside programmes from Investitions- und Strukturbank Rheinland-Pfalz (ISB, the state development bank). If collateral is missing, Bürgschaftsbank Rheinland-Pfalz (the state guarantee bank) can provide a guarantee. Often a seller loan also covers part of the purchase price.
When should I as an owner in Rhineland-Palatinate start planning succession?
As early as possible. Chambers and advisors usually recommend several years of lead time, so the figures, contracts and processes are ready for handover and there is enough time to search and hand over in stages. Succession advice from the chambers in Rhineland-Palatinate is a good first step.
Do I have to be from Rhineland-Palatinate to take over a business there?
No. Many successors move to a new region for a takeover. What matters is industry knowledge, leadership experience and the willingness to be present on site. State support programmes usually depend on where the business is based, not on where you are from.
How do I find a business to take over in Rhineland-Palatinate?
Good routes are the succession marketplace nexxt-change, succession advice from the chambers, tax advisors and your own network in the region. Nachfounder prepares successors and makes a personal connection to suitable businesses.