EuroBLECH 2026 in Hannover: How to Turn Your Trade Fair Visit Into a German Market Entry

EuroBLECH 2026 opens in Hannover on 20 October, and thousands of manufacturers and suppliers will be there. If you're one of them, the trip can do more than fill your diary with stand visits. With a bit of planning, it can be the first step towards a base in Germany.

What to expect at EuroBLECH 2026

This is the 28th International Sheet Metal Working Technology Exhibition, running from 20 to 23 October 2026 at the Hannover Exhibition Grounds, according to the EuroBLECH visitor page. It covers the whole sheet metal chain, from cutting and forming to joining, surface treatment and software, across halls 11 to 17 and 27.

The last edition drew 1,317 exhibitors and 38,946 visitors from 114 countries, and about 80% of visitors were involved in purchasing decisions. New for 2026:

• An Innovation Zone showing automation, digital production and next-generation machinery.
• A NextGen Technology Stage in Hall 27 with talks on smart manufacturing and sustainable production.
• A new guided tour on market opportunities in electronics, HVAC, aerospace and defence.
• The EuroBLECH Award ceremony, honouring six winners for technical excellence.

Before you go: a short checklist

• Sort your visa. Citizens of most non-EU countries need a Schengen visa for a short stay of up to 90 days in any 180-day period, as Germany Trade & Invest explains. Some nationalities are exempt, so check the German Federal Foreign Office and apply early, because processing times vary. Our page on visa rules for business visitors gives the wider picture.
• Shortlist exhibitors. Use the show's exhibitor directory to pick 10 to 15 stands you really need to see.
• Book meetings in advance. Opening hours are 9:00 to 18:00 on 20 to 22 October and 9:00 to 17:00 on 23 October.
• Add one day for Hannover. That's where the market-entry part starts.

At the fair: look beyond the machines

Most visitors come to buy or compare equipment. Use some of your time to learn who serves customers in Germany. Ask suppliers where their German service teams sit, who their local distributors are and which industries buy most from them. Those answers show you where demand is and who could become a partner.

It also helps to understand the sector around you. Hannover is one of Germany's strongest locations for production technology, with suppliers, research partners and skilled workers close by.

After the fair: turn the trip into a market entry

If the visit convinces you that Germany is worth a closer look, a few days in Hannover can move things forward quickly:

• Meet local partners. We can assist you through our B2B contacts in Hannover, including distributors, suppliers and industry associations.
• Explore business locations. Find out about potential office, workshop and logistics locations in Hannover and the surrounding region, and discuss your specific requirements with HIBS Germany
• Understand your options. Our GmbH formation guide compares a GmbH, UG and branch office, with costs and documents.

A short business visit can be used to explore the German market, meet potential partners, assess locations and prepare for company establishment. However, the right to establish a company does not automatically include permission to work or manage its operations in Germany. Depending on your nationality, intended activities and length of stay, additional immigration authorisation may be required. Check the applicable requirements before making firm plans.

What's next in Hannover

EuroBLECH is only one date in a busy calendar. DSEI Germany runs from 9 to 12 March 2027 and Hannover Messe from 5 to 8 April 2027, both at the same grounds. See upcoming events in Hannover and our guide to Hannover's trade fair calendar to plan your next visit.