EMEA dealmaking is not slowing evenly. It is concentrating around the opportunities that matter most. In Q1 2026, geopolitical tension and energy disruption accelerated a clear shift in investor priorities, pushing capital toward strategic sectors and away from more discretionary parts of the market.

The result is a sharper, more polarized M&A landscape. Transaction volume across EMEA fell 16% year-on-year to 4,310 deals, while total value rose 28% to €360.2bn. That makes Q1 the strongest quarter for value in three years, even as overall activity remained subdued.

What is driving this divergence? Which regions are generating the strongest pipelines? And where are buyers finding opportunity in a more fragmented market?

Explore the answers in our latest Deal Drivers report, featuring analysis and regional insight across the following regions, including:

• Spotlights: Romania & Poland
• UK & Ireland
• DACH
• France
• Nordics
• Italy
• Iberia
• Benelux
• CEE & SEE
• Türkiye, Middle East & Africa  

Download the full report for an in-depth view of EMEA’s deal landscape.