BAU: dates, what is exhibited and how to prepare
BAU is a biennial international trade fair held in Munich in January, focused on architecture, construction materials and building systems. Germany…
Published on 14 September 2026Updated on 21 September 2026
BAU is a biennial international trade fair held in Munich in January, focused on architecture, construction materials and building systems. Germany imports over USD 115 billion annually in mineral fuels and construction materials. The fair is a key entry point for Spanish exporters to reach European buyers, architects and construction professionals.
Fact sheet
- Dates
- 2027-01-11 → 2027-01-15
- City
- Múnich, Germany
- Venue
- Messe München (Neue Messe München / Messegelände München)
- Organiser
- Messe München GmbH
- Frequency
- bienal
- What is exhibited
- arquitectura, materiales y sistemas para la construcción —incluyendo planificación, construcción y diseño— como una plataforma internacional para la industria.
- Official website
- https://bau-muenchen.com/
Source: Messe München GmbHData for 2026-09-15Verified on 21 September 2026
Sector imports in the country
USD · 2025| Chapter | Imports (USD) |
|---|---|
| 27 · Mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their… | 115,528,009,818 |
| 26 · Ores, slag and ash | 11,539,459,164 |
| 70 · Glass and glassware | 6,614,200,859 |
| 68 · Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, mica or similar… | 4,088,811,573 |
| 69 · Ceramic products | 3,572,848,556 |
| 25 · Salt; sulphur; earths, stone; plastering materials, lime… | 2,379,075,381 |
Imports declared by each country from the world. Countries report with a delay: the period is the latest with consolidated data.
Source: UN ComtradeData for 2025Verified on 21 September 2026
Other fairs in the sector
- Mondial du Bâtiment (Batimat, Idéobain e Interclima)París
- Big 5 GlobalDubái
- CevisamaValencia
- Construmat – Feria Internacional de la ConstrucciónBarcelona
- Marmomac, la Fiera del Marmo e della Pietra NaturaleVerona
What you need to know before exhibiting
BAU runs for five days in mid-January and draws builders, architects, engineers and material suppliers from across Europe and beyond. The fair is held at Messe München, one of Europe's largest exhibition grounds. If you supply architecture services, construction materials, stone, ceramics, glass, cement products or building systems, this is where your buyers gather.
Germany is the largest economy in Europe and imports construction materials from across the EU. The top import chapters are mineral fuels (USD 115.5 billion in 2025), ores and slag, glass, stone and plaster, and ceramic products. Most Spanish exporters in these sectors sell through distribution networks rather than direct to end users, so BAU is where you meet those distributors and their buyers.
The fair takes place every two years. The next edition is January 2027. Registration and booth allocation typically open eight to twelve months before the fair. Space costs depend on booth size and location; plan for setup, shipping, staffing and travel for at least four to five days.
Most exhibitors work with a stand builder or contractor at the venue. Messe München lists approved contractors on its website. Book early if you plan to use one; January is peak fair season across Europe.
Contact the organiser, Messe München GmbH, directly to request an exhibitor application form and current pricing. Ask about package deals for first-time exhibitors from Spain or EU newcomers—many fair organisers offer them.
Common questions
Is it worth exhibiting if I only ship to Spain and Portugal?
BAU is primarily for companies with pan-European or international reach. If you sell only domestically, regional fairs in Spain such as Construmat in Barcelona are more cost-effective. BAU makes sense if you want to open distribution channels in Germany, France, Italy or Northern Europe.
Do I have to speak German to exhibit?
No, but it helps. English is widely spoken at BAU by international visitors and most organisational staff. However, German-speaking booth staff increases your reach with local builders and architects. Consider hiring a German-speaking colleague or contractor for at least part of the fair.
Can I find my competitors' booths and study their stands?
Yes. The BAU website publishes the exhibitor list and hall map before the fair. Visit competitor booths on the first day while you prepare your own. Note their messaging, pricing signals and which buyer types they target.
How do I follow up after the fair?
Collect business cards and scan them on the first day, not the last. Within 48 hours of the fair closing, send a personalised follow-up email to each qualified contact—not a template. Reference what you discussed and offer a next step: a sample shipment, a call or a site visit.
Bring this analysis to your product
Create your free account: Exporta.ai reads your website, detects your HS code and tells you which markets to export to, with official data.