Registration Now Open

INSOL Europe and Réseau CAP are pleased to confirm the new date for this conference: Friday 6 March 2026 at Palais de Académies, Hertogsstraat, 1 1000 Brussels. The event will explore how groups of companies navigate cross-border challenges at this expert-led seminar, featuring EU insights and practical guidance. The programme will conclude with a guided tour of the Brussels Courthouse, one of the city’s most iconic architectural landmarks.

Brussels is among Europe’s most accessible capitals, offering excellent rail, air, bus, and road connections. High-speed trains provide direct links to Paris, Amsterdam, London and Cologne via Brussels-Midi station. Brussels Airport offers extensive European connections, while budget airlines operate from Charleroi Airport, roughly an hour away.

We are pleased to announce that we have a new Main Sponsor for the Annual Congress, starting with the next Congress in Vilamoura, Portugal (15-18 October 2026).

Eight Advisory is a leading European independent consulting firm specialising in financial, operational and strategy advisory services. They support executives, shareholders, lenders and investors at critical moments, across transactions, restructuring and transformation.

With 16 offices including over 1000 professionals and 123 partners, Eight Advisory combines scale, seniority and hands-on expertise to deliver high-impact solutions on complex and time-sensitive situations. A founding member and driving force behind the global Eight International network, Eight Advisory now supports its clients in more than 30 countries across all continents.

With an experienced team, recognised market leaders and a presence across major European centres, Eight Advisory combines hands-on involvement with strategic insight to guide clients through complex restructuring processes and help them emerge stronger and more resilient.

For more information visit the Eight Advisory website or contact Xavier Bailly.

Notable Uptick in Restructuring Filings Driven by Sector-Specific Cases

Frank Heemann (bnt attorneys in CEE and INSOL Europe Deputy President) reports on the recent statistics in Lithuania on restructuring and bankruptcy proceedings

Lithuania’s insolvency landscape has continued to evolve throughout 2024 and into the first half of 2025 against a backdrop of economic uncertainty, rising operational pressures across several sectors, and ongoing adjustments following earlier legislative reforms.

While the overall number of insolvency proceedings remains below historic peaks, recent data from the Insolvency Processes Information Portal of the national supervisory authority (AVNT) indicate a clear upward trend in activity, particularly in bankruptcy proceedings, accompanied by a modest but notable rise in restructuring filings.

Bankruptcy Proceedings: Activity Still Below Pre-Pandemic Levels

Corporate bankruptcy continues to dominate Lithuania’s insolvency system. In the first half of 2025, 550 bankruptcy processes were initiated, representing a 9.8% decrease compared with the same period in 2024, yet remaining significantly higher than the 2021–2022 lows. The majority (85.6%) were opened in court, with out-of-court bankruptcy proceedings, a Lithuanian particularity, accounting for 14.4%, a proportion broadly consistent with recent years.

The sectors most affected were wholesale and retail trade (23.8%), followed closely by construction (22.7%) and manufacturing (11.6%). Regional distribution remained stable, with Vilnius, Kaunas and Klaipėda counties accounting for more than 80% of all new bankruptcies.

The average lifespan of companies prior to bankruptcy edged upwards to 10.1 years (compared with 9.7 years in 2024). Meanwhile, the duration of completed proceedings continues to gradually decline after pandemic-era delays, with the 2025 H1 average standing at 1.94 years.

Restructuring: Historically Marginal but Showing Isolated Growth in 2025

Restructuring proceedings remain comparatively rare in Lithuania. From their introduction in 2001 to 31 October 2025, restructuring has accounted for only 2–4% of all corporate insolvency proceedings, with a cumulative 89 successful restructurings compared to 508 terminated processes, many of which ultimately led to bankruptcy. This limited use of restructuring tools helps explain the comparatively thin and inconsistent body of case law, with many aspects of the procedure under the relatively new Law on Insolvency of Legal Entities (JANI) still awaiting judicial clarification.

Nevertheless, 2025 has seen an increase in newly opened restructuring proceedings. AVNT data show 36 cases initiated in the first half of 2025, nearly double the figure recorded in the equivalent period of 2024. Importantly, this growth does not seem to signal a systemic shift in the market. It is driven primarily by one large agricultural group (AUGA) restructuring multiple affiliated companies in an attempt to stabilise operations. It is too early to assess whether this coordinated effort will succeed in restoring the group’s financial stability. Several legal disputes have already reached the courts, and the developing case law will play a meaningful role in shaping the practical application of restructuring tools going forward.

Digitalisation Continues to Support Transparency and Efficiency

The continued implementation of the Insolvency Processes Information Portal, launched in 2023, remains a significant structural development. The Portal provides real-time visibility into ongoing proceedings and supports electronic administration by insolvency practitioners and creditors. It has contributed to increased transparency, efficiency and accessibility of information for stakeholders and the public, thus also benefiting SMEs with limited administrative resources.

Outlook: Stabilisation with Sector-Specific Stress

Lithuania’s insolvency activity in 2024–2025 points to a gradual normalisation after the sharp pandemic-related fluctuations. Bankruptcy proceedings reflect broader geo-political and economic pressures, with construction, retail, manufacturing and transport remaining exposed to rising financing costs and weakened consumption.

Restructuring activity, while still modest in absolute terms, may gain prominence as courts begin to issue more decisions clarifying procedural and substantive issues under JANĮ. Whether this will lead to broader adoption of restructuring as an accepted rescue tool remains uncertain, but 2025 may mark the beginning of a gradual shift.

Main sources / References 
AVNT, Nemokumo procesų 2025 m. I pusmečio apžvalga (2025)
AVNT Insolvency Processes Information Portal

As we set our sights on the year ahead, momentum is already building. We’re shaping an exciting new programme of high-profile events designed to bring businesses, industries, and professionals together to connect, collaborate, and unlock new opportunities.

The year ahead will be rich with moments for meaningful networking, influential thought leadership, and strategic market growth. Below is a preview of the key INSOL Europe events set to spark ideas, open doors, and help define the trends shaping 2026.

• INSOL Europe & Reseau Cap Seminar, Brussels, 6 March 2026
• CNAJMJ Conference, Paris, 23 March 2026
• R3 & INSOL Europe International Restructuring Conference, 4 June 2026
• EECC Conference, Limassol, Cyprus, 25 June 2026
• 13 October 2026, YANIL Workshop, Vilamoura, Portugal
• 13-14 October 2026, Academic Forum Conference, Vilamoura, Portugal
• 15-18 October 2026, Annual Congress, Vilamoura, Portugal

Visit our website for more events to be added as they are confirmed.