We are much more than just a business location: Schleswig-Holstein not only impresses with its unique geographical location as a transport hub in the middle of Europe and with a globally successful SME sector, with strong future-oriented industries and an active science and research infrastructure. After work, entrepreneurs, founders and employees also find ideal conditions here for their very own feel-good balance of work and life: Two seas, endless horizons and unspoiled natural landscapes are just as typical here as urban centres and leisure activities that leave nothing to be desired - from culture and culinary delights to sports and wellness. Simply put, this state has it all.

Welcome to the true North.

Hub of the North

It doesn't get any more central than this: right in the heart of Europe, located directly on the most important north-south transportation axis to Scandinavia, and with direct access to the North and Baltic Seas, Schleswig-Holstein is an important transport hub to Northern and Eastern Europe and the Baltic States. Its proximity to Hamburg also provides fast access to German and global markets via all transport routes.

The numbers are also quite impressive: Goods worth over 52,6 billion Euros were transported abroad via Schleswig-Holstein in 2021. With a passenger volume of 921,796 people in 2021, the port of Kiel achieved an increase of more than 78% compared to the previous year. A further increase in passengers is also expected in 2022. 

Our climate: business-friendly

Schleswig-Holstein is a state of small and medium-sized businesses. And they are flourishing: Germany's second-lowest trade tax, favourable wage costs and moderate real estate and land prices, combined with a modern funding infrastructure, ensure a business-friendly climate and many positive developments: For example, a total of 119 companies have been newly established in 2021, creating 2,063 jobs.  

Our character: strong and flexible

In Schleswig-Holstein, 99 percent of the companies are small and medium-sized enterprises with fewer than 250 employees. This quota is significantly above the national average and forms a healthy basis for flexibility and security: because an SME-based economy is not only particularly innovative, but also less susceptible to economic fluctuations.

Many of the medium-sized companies in the true North specialise in lucrative niches, are internationally successful and are often true "hidden champions". Since the important industries of the future find exceptionally good conditions here, they are also particularly well represented, including medical technology, maritime commerce and the food industry, information and communication technology, mechanical engineering, renewable energies and the health industry.

Our development: sustainably positive

The upward trend of the Schleswig-Holstein economy continues. Compared to the previous year, the gross domestic product in Schleswig-Holstein increased to around 104 billion Euros in 2021. 

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Schleswig-Holstein: Workforce for tomorrow

Schleswig-Holstein is one of the few regions in Western Europe whose population is growing steadily. The proportion of young people is significantly higher than the national average. And they find the best educational opportunities here: nine state and three private universities offer the sought-after workers of tomorrow a wide range of courses with internationally recognised degrees.

Business, education and funding institutions work closely together in an efficient network and create the best conditions for companies with a need for well-trained skilled personnel. The partners of the skilled labour initiative (FI.SH) "Future in the North" support Schleswig-Holstein companies in securing their skilled labour and thus maintain Schleswig-Holstein's competitiveness. In the future, companies will find the skilled workers they need at short notice.

Schleswig-Holstein: Active knowledge location

Companies based in Schleswig-Holstein benefit from a top-class research infrastructure, active knowledge transfer and knowledge dissemination at the highest level. With nine state and three private universities, two administrative colleges and numerous renowned research institutions, the conditions here are ideal for knowledge-based and promising industries - from health care and medical technology to communications technology and renewable energies.

Universities in Schleswig-Holstein

• Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel
• Flensburg University of Applied Sciences
• University of Lübeck
• Kiel University of Applied Sciences
• Flensburg European University
• Lübeck University of Applied SciencesWedel
• Wedel University of Applied Sciences
• Muthesius University of Fine Arts and Design
• West Coast University of Applied Sciences
• FHVD

Research centres in Schleswig-Holstein

Eight leading organisations for applied research in Europe operate research centres in Schleswig-Holstein:

• Fraunhofer IST
• Research Centre Borstel
• Fraunhofer EMB
• AWI
• Geomar
• MRI
• Helmholtz-Centre Geesthacht
• Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel)