Foreign investment in Kosovo rises: €467.4 million in the first half, 68% in real estate

Foreign direct investment in Kosovo reached €467.4 million in the first half of 2026, up 8.3 percent compared to the same period last year.

The bulk of foreign capital went into real estate, while Germany and Switzerland remain the main sources of investment.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) in Kosovo grew by 8.3 percent in the first half of 2026, while most foreign capital continues to flow into the real estate sector.

According to data from the Central Bank of Kosovo (CBK), compiled by the Kosovo Chamber of Commerce (OEK), net foreign direct investment in Kosovo during January–June 2026 reached €467.4 million, up 8.3 percent compared to the same period last year. The CBK publishes FDI data by sector, country and financial item.

The investment structure shows that real estate remains the dominant sector, accounting for 68 percent of total FDI in the first half of 2026.

After real estate, the largest shares are held by financial and insurance activities with 10.4 percent, manufacturing with 9.6 percent, other activities with 4.4 percent, wholesale and retail trade and motor vehicle repair with 2.8 percent, electricity, gas and steam supply with 2.0 percent, construction with 1.8 percent, and information and communication with 0.9 percent.

In terms of capital origin, Germany was the main source of foreign direct investment in Kosovo in the first half, with 29.9 percent of the total.

It is followed by Switzerland with 17.1 percent, while the Netherlands follows with 9.1 percent, Albania with 8.4 percent, the United States with 7.9 percent, the United Kingdom with 3.3 percent, Austria with 2.5 percent, Italy with 1.9 percent, France with 1.7 percent and Sweden with 1.0 percent.

CBK data show that Germany and Switzerland have been among the main sources of FDI in previous years as well.

Over a longer period, from 2008 to 2025, net foreign direct investment in Kosovo reached €7.6086 billion.

During this period, Germany accounted for 22.4 percent of FDI, while Switzerland accounted for 19.6 percent. They are followed by the United States with 8.5 percent, Albania with 8.3 percent, Austria with 6.9 percent, Turkey with 6.0 percent, the United Kingdom with 4.7 percent, Slovenia with 3.9 percent, Italy with 1.7 percent, France with 1.4 percent, Canada and Norway with 1.1 percent each, while Hungary holds 0.9 percent, and the United Arab Emirates and North Macedonia 0.7 percent each.

Alongside the growth of foreign capital flowing into Kosovo, Kosovo’s direct investment abroad has also increased.

According to CBK data, Kosovar investments abroad in the first half of 2026 reached €181.3 million, up 7.8 percent compared to the same period in 2025.

According to the OEK, the growth of Kosovo’s investments abroad shows businesses’ orientation toward expansion in regional and international markets, as well as diversification of capital across various sectors, including the financial sector, electricity, manufacturing and construction.