CEE Executive Mobility 2026: What’s Driving Movement Across the Region

Perspectives from 30 senior executives on relocation decisions and leadership mobility across CEE

What Drives Executive Mobility into or within Central and Eastern Europe

This section focuses on why executives relocate.

Key themes:

Career advancement as the primary driver
Corporate assignments and leadership development
Increasing importance of lifestyle and family considerations
Mobility as a signal of leadership potential

What motivated your last move?

A horizontal bar chart titled “3.4 What motivated your latest move?” based on 26 responses. The bars show the number and percentage of respondents selecting each motivation. Career progression is the most common motivation with 16 responses (61.5%). Personal reasons follow with 12 responses (46.2%), and company assignment with 10 responses (38.5%). Tax benefits account for 2 responses (7.7%). Several additional motivations each received 1 response (3.8%), including “Testing and stretching one’s professional capabilities,” “Family,” “Family projects,” and “N/A.” The bars are purple and extend horizontally from left to right, with values displayed at the end of each bar.

Several organisations reported holding annual talent reviews in which senior HR leaders and business executives identify and monitor high-potential talent across international markets, aligning leadership development with the organisation’s long-term strategic priorities.

Core message: Executive mobility remains a key mechanism for career progression, but relocation decisions increasingly balance professional opportunity with personal and family considerations.