How do I find a business to buy in Schleswig-Holstein?
The easiest way to find businesses for sale in Schleswig-Holstein is through the AI search function on viaductus. There, you can search specifically for companies available for purchase in Schleswig-Holstein.
viaductus is the search engine for buying and selling businesses, as we scan and compile the entire public M&A market for you.
How much does it cost to buy a business in Schleswig-Holstein?
This is difficult to say, as it strongly depends on the size, location, industry, and economic situation of the company.
A good benchmark is usually the EBIT multiplier. This considers the company’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization and multiplies it by a factor ranging from 3 to 8.
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Economic strengths of Schleswig-Holstein
Schleswig-Holstein, the picturesque "land between the seas," presents itself as a versatile and resilient business location with unique structural advantages that make it particularly attractive for business buyers. Its specific geographic position at the crossroads between Scandinavia and continental Europe, with direct access to both the North Sea and the Baltic Sea, gives Germany’s northernmost federal state an exceptional strategic importance as a trade and logistics hub. This advantageous position is optimally utilized through a well-developed transport infrastructure, which includes modern highways, efficient rail connections, powerful ports such as Kiel, Lübeck, and Brunsbüttel, as well as the nearby Hamburg-Fuhlsbüttel international airport.
The economic performance of the state is reflected in a substantial gross domestic product of approximately €118.7 billion in 2023. Although the real, inflation-adjusted GDP saw a slight decline of 1.1% compared to the previous year—mainly due to global economic challenges—the positive nominal growth underscores the remarkable adaptability and resilience of the regional economic structure. This resilience is largely based on a healthy mix of traditional industries and forward-looking sectors, which keep the state on a stable growth trajectory even in challenging times, providing a secure environment for strategic business investments.
The economic structure of Schleswig-Holstein is characterized by remarkable diversification, with the maritime economy playing a prominent role and encompassing a broad spectrum of specialized companies. From traditional shipyards and shipbuilding firms to cutting-edge marine technology, innovative offshore applications, and maritime service providers, the diverse ecosystem benefits from the state’s long maritime tradition while continuously driving new technological developments. Another significant sector with exceptional growth potential is renewable energy, where Schleswig-Holstein holds a national leadership position, particularly in wind energy. Numerous wind farms, both onshore and offshore, shape the landscape and create a dynamic environment for suppliers, project developers, maintenance companies, and specialized service providers. This portfolio is complemented by innovative approaches in bioenergy, solar energy, and hydrogen technology, positioning the state as a pioneer in the energy transition and offering promising prospects for forward-thinking investors.
The healthcare sector, as the third pillar of Schleswig-Holstein’s economy, benefits from excellent medical infrastructure with renowned clinics, research institutions, and specialized healthcare providers, complemented by a thriving medical technology sector and a growing number of innovative biotechnology companies. These key industries are rounded out by a diverse range of other sectors, including a strong agriculture and food industry, a vibrant tourism and leisure economy, and numerous specialized mechanical engineering and metalworking companies, often acting as hidden champions in their respective niche markets.
A distinctive feature of Schleswig-Holstein’s economic landscape is the active promotion of innovation by the state government, which creates targeted frameworks to support technological developments and entrepreneurial initiatives. Extensive funding programs have been implemented especially in the areas of digitalization and green technologies, benefiting both established companies and innovative startups, thereby sustainably strengthening the location’s competitiveness. The state’s digitalization strategy includes expanding digital infrastructure as well as targeted support measures for the digital transformation of existing business models and the promotion of digital innovations across various application areas. In parallel, the state strategy "Green Hydrogen" outlines an ambitious plan to develop a comprehensive hydrogen economy, involving significant investments in this future market and positioning Schleswig-Holstein as a leading location for hydrogen technologies.
The close integration of business and science, fostered by numerous cooperation projects between companies and universities such as Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, University of Lübeck, and Kiel University of Applied Sciences, ensures continuous knowledge and technology transfer that sustainably strengthens the region’s innovation capacity. These structural advantages are complemented by a business-friendly administration characterized by short decision-making processes, unbureaucratic procedures, and a cooperative approach to working with the economy, thus creating optimal conditions for business acquisitions and development.
The outstanding quality of life in Schleswig-Holstein represents another significant location advantage, important for both companies and their employees and a key consideration in business acquisition decisions. The unique landscape between the seas, characterized by picturesque coasts, idyllic lakes, gentle hills, and extensive nature reserves, offers an exceptional living and recreational environment, complemented by moderate population density and well-preserved historic cities such as Lübeck, Flensburg, and Schleswig. These natural and cultural assets significantly contribute to the region’s attractiveness and facilitate the recruitment and retention of qualified professionals, which is a decisive competitive advantage amid increasing skills shortages.
Moreover, companies benefit from relatively moderate real estate prices and living costs compared to other economically strong regions in Germany, positively impacting both business cost structures and employee quality of life. The optimal balance between economic dynamism and high quality of life, combined with excellent strategic location and diversified industry structure, makes Schleswig-Holstein an exceptionally attractive site for business acquisitions and long-term economic commitments. It offers both established investors and ambitious entrepreneurs diverse opportunities to successfully realize and sustainably develop their business visions.
Attractive conditions for business acquisitions
The Mittelstand (small and medium-sized enterprises) forms the fundamental backbone of Schleswig-Holstein’s economic structure and offers potential investors an exceptionally diverse range of opportunities for strategic business acquisitions. Thousands of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operate successfully across various industries and specialized niches, many of which possess cross-generational know-how, unique market access, or patented technologies that make them particularly attractive takeover candidates. This SME-driven economic landscape is marked by remarkable diversification, ranging from traditional maritime businesses such as shipyards, suppliers, and logistics companies to innovative energy technology firms, high-quality food producers, and specialized mechanical engineering companies.
Notably, the renewable energy sector stands out, with Schleswig-Holstein playing a national pioneering role and hosting numerous established companies active along the entire value chain—from project planning and installation to maintenance and operation of wind turbines, solar parks, and biomass power plants. The maritime economy, as another key segment, includes not only classic shipbuilding companies but also highly specialized suppliers for ship technology, offshore facilities, and marine technology, complemented by logistics companies benefiting from the strategic location between the seas. In mechanical engineering, many medium-sized companies have established themselves as specialists for niche products and customized solutions, often boasting impressive export ratios and long-standing international client relationships. The healthcare sector offers promising investment opportunities through innovative medical technology companies and specialized healthcare providers.
The Schleswig-Holstein state government recognizes the strategic importance of healthy business succession for the long-term economic stability and development of the state and has implemented comprehensive support measures to facilitate the acquisition and successful continuation of existing businesses by potential buyers. A broad portfolio of funding programs is available, offering both financial assistance and advisory support throughout all phases of a business acquisition. The Investitionsbank Schleswig-Holstein (IB.SH), the state’s central development bank, provides specialized financing programs for business succession, including low-interest loans, equity participation, and guarantees that cover capital requirements for acquiring existing companies and strengthen equity bases.
Additionally, various grant programs are available, for example, for consulting services related to business succession or for innovation and digitalization projects to be implemented after acquisition. These financial incentives are complemented by a dense network of advisory and support services coordinated by Wirtschaftsförderung und Technologietransfer Schleswig-Holstein GmbH (WTSH) as well as chambers of commerce and industry and business associations, which assist potential successors with tailored information and consulting services. Particularly noteworthy is the targeted support for innovative business models and technology-oriented companies, which can receive additional backing through specific programs such as the Schleswig-Holstein Innovation Fund to implement modernization and growth strategies post-acquisition.
The practical execution of a business acquisition in Schleswig-Holstein is significantly facilitated by a comprehensive ecosystem of specialized support and brokerage structures that ensure a structured and professional takeover process. The chambers of commerce and industry in Kiel, Lübeck, and Flensburg, as well as the chambers of crafts in Lübeck and Flensburg, serve as central contact points offering not only general informational events but also individual consultations, succession consultation days, and specialized seminars covering all relevant aspects of business succession. A particularly valuable tool is the confidential succession exchanges run by the chambers, where companies suitable for takeover are discreetly brokered, complemented by the nationwide portal "nexxt-change" and regional matching platforms that efficiently connect sellers and potential successors.
Specialized advisors, including auditors, tax experts, lawyers, and business consultants with specific expertise in business succession, are available to professionally accompany the entire takeover process—from initial contact through due diligence and company valuation to contract drafting and implementation of the handover strategy. The close integration of these various support services ensures a seamless and efficient handover process, relieving both sellers and buyers. This comprehensive support infrastructure, combined with active state promotion and the diverse SME landscape, makes Schleswig-Holstein an exceptionally attractive location for business acquisitions, offering optimal conditions for successful takeover and continuation of existing companies.
Another significant advantage for business acquisitions in Schleswig-Holstein lies in often more attractive valuation multiples compared to metropolitan areas such as Hamburg, Munich, or Frankfurt, which can lead to more favorable purchase prices for comparable company quality and positively impact investment profitability. This advantageous price structure partly results from specific demographic developments and the consequently higher supply of companies available for takeover but does not imply any compromise in the economic substance or future viability of the businesses for sale. Rather, it opens the opportunity to acquire solidly established companies with healthy fundamentals and unlock significant value appreciation potential through strategic development, such as digitalization, internationalization, or targeted product innovations.
Particular potential lies in companies with specialized technological know-how or unique market positions that, due to their regional roots or limited size, are not the focus of international investors. The geographic proximity to the Hamburg metropolitan area as Northern Germany’s economic center, as well as excellent connections to Scandinavian markets, also offer diverse opportunities to develop new business areas and sales markets post-acquisition. The combination of attractive purchase prices, solid economic substance, and diverse development potentials makes business acquisitions in Schleswig-Holstein a particularly interesting option for strategically minded investors seeking sustainable investment opportunities with attractive return prospects.
Business succession in Schleswig-Holstein
Business succession has become a central economic policy issue in Schleswig-Holstein in recent years, gaining additional momentum due to demographic changes and shifting entrepreneurial preferences, and opening exceptional opportunities for potential buyers. According to the current 2023 succession report by the Unternehmensnachfolge Schleswig-Holstein network, the state faces an unprecedented wave of business transfers: Over the next seven years, more than 1,550 business owners will reach retirement age annually, leading to at least 10,600 upcoming transfers of companies and company shares by 2030. Sole proprietorships are particularly affected, with around 6,100 succession processes expected. These impressive figures highlight the extraordinary scale of the succession challenge, which simultaneously represents exceptional potential for external investors seeking established business models with proven market positions.
Demographic change, as a key driver of this development, is reinforced by a noticeable trend toward declining willingness for succession within entrepreneurial families, as the next generation increasingly pursues alternative career paths outside the family business. This situation means that even economically healthy and future-proof companies rely on external buyers due to the lack of internal family succession solutions, strengthening the negotiating position of potential successors and often leading to more attractive takeover conditions. The affected companies come from nearly all sectors of Schleswig-Holstein’s economy, with a particular focus on manufacturing, crafts, maritime sector, retail, and various specialized service areas, offering a wide range of takeover opportunities for diverse investor profiles.
The practical design of a successful business succession in Schleswig-Holstein is significantly facilitated by a dense network of specialized support services that professionally accompany the entire succession process and provide valuable guidance for both sellers and potential successors. Foremost among these are the chambers of commerce and industry and the chambers of crafts in the state, whose succession moderators act as neutral intermediaries between willing sellers and interested buyers and often unlock discreet, non-publicly advertised takeover opportunities through their extensive regional networks. Regular succession consultation days, informational events, and specialized workshops address all relevant aspects of the takeover process—from initial contact and company valuation to purchase price determination and optimal tax and legal structuring of the transaction.
Wirtschaftsförderung und Technologietransfer Schleswig-Holstein GmbH (WTSH), the state’s central economic development agency, offers complementary consulting services, especially on financing and public funding for business acquisitions, and can access an extensive network of specialized experts if needed. Various regional and supra-regional online platforms such as the succession exchange nexxt-change, the IHK succession exchange, and the Unternehmensnachfolge Schleswig-Holstein portal enable structured searches for suitable takeover targets and facilitate initial contact between sellers and potential successors. These institutional offerings are complemented by a broad range of private service providers—including specialized business consultants, M&A boutiques, auditors, tax advisors, and lawyers—who can professionally support all phases of the succession process.
Financial support for business succession holds a special place in Schleswig-Holstein’s economic promotion and significantly eases the acquisition and successful continuation of existing companies for potential buyers. The Investitionsbank Schleswig-Holstein (IB.SH), the state’s central development bank, has developed specific financing programs tailored to the needs of business successors. The "IB.SH Unternehmensnachfolge" program offers low-interest loans with flexible terms and grace periods, covering up to 100% of eligible costs and optimally complementing classic bank financing. For innovative projects related to business acquisition, such as digitalization measures or product development, additional funding is available through the Schleswig-Holstein Innovation Program as non-repayable grants, further improving the financing structure.
The Mittelständische Beteiligungsgesellschaft Schleswig-Holstein (MBG) participation program offers another attractive financing option by providing silent partnership capital that strengthens the equity base without direct influence on entrepreneurial decisions. These financial instruments are complemented by comprehensive guarantee programs from the Bürgschaftsbank Schleswig-Holstein, which reduce risk for lending banks and thus facilitate access to traditional bank loans. The close integration of these various funding instruments enables a customized financing structure optimally tailored to the specific requirements of each takeover project, covering both the purchase price and necessary post-acquisition investments.
Successful integration and further development of an acquired company require not only financial security but also a strategically thought-out approach that preserves existing strengths while implementing forward-looking changes. Experiences from successful business successions in Schleswig-Holstein show that a carefully planned transition phase with the previous owner is a decisive success factor to optimally transfer and secure implicit knowledge, established customer relationships, and the specific corporate culture in the long term. At the same time, the change of ownership offers a unique opportunity to introduce fresh impulses and initiate necessary modernization processes, such as digitalizing business operations, opening new market segments, or implementing innovative business models.
Wirtschaftsförderung Schleswig-Holstein supports these transformation processes through specialized consulting programs and innovation funding, which can also be utilized after the actual takeover to ensure the company’s sustainable success. Particularly promising are succession solutions that successfully combine Schleswig-Holstein’s specific regional economic strengths—such as maritime expertise, competencies in renewable energies, or proximity to Scandinavian markets—with innovative entrepreneurial concepts to unlock new growth potentials. Numerous successful examples demonstrate that business acquisitions in Schleswig-Holstein, when professionally prepared and strategically developed, can become sustainable entrepreneurial success stories that deliver attractive returns to successors and important growth impulses to the regional economy.
Industry diversity and regional characteristics
Schleswig-Holstein’s economic landscape is characterized by exceptional industry diversity, offering potential business successors a broad spectrum of investment opportunities across various sectors and numerous points of connection for diverse entrepreneurial skills and interests. The maritime economy, as a historically grown core segment, includes not only traditional shipyards and shipbuilding companies but also highly specialized suppliers for maritime technologies, offshore wind turbines, and innovative marine technology, complemented by efficient port operations and specialized logistics companies benefiting from the strategic location between the North and Baltic Seas.
The energy sector has undergone a remarkable transformation over recent decades, positioning Schleswig-Holstein today as a leading location for renewable energies, especially wind power. Along the entire value chain—from project planning and component manufacturing to installation, maintenance, and grid technology—numerous medium-sized companies are located here, representing attractive takeover targets. The healthcare industry, as the third major economic sector, brings together innovative medical technology companies, specialized clinics and healthcare providers, and companies from the growing field of digital health applications, offering excellent prospects for investors with medical or health economic backgrounds.
Additionally, a strong agriculture and food sector has been established, ranging from farming and food processing to marketing high-quality regional products, with particularly notable growth rates in premium and organic products. In mechanical engineering and metal technology, numerous medium-sized companies have established themselves as specialists for sophisticated niche products and customized solutions, often boasting impressive export ratios and long-standing international customer relationships.
Regional characteristics not only shape the economic structure but also offer specific advantages...