Uber has put most of its planned Uber Eats expansion in Europe on hold, as it continues to pursue a possible acquisition of Germany-based Delivery Hero.
Citing sources familiar with the development, the Financial Times (FT) has reported that the company has dropped launch plans in five of the seven European markets it had been preparing to enter this year.
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Those now no longer in consideration include Austria, Norway and Greece.
The move follows an announcement only five months ago that Uber would extend its food delivery footprint in Europe.
That plan covered new launches in the Czech Republic and Romania and was intended to help generate an extra $1bn in gross bookings over three years.
At the same time, Uber is still working on a potential deal for Delivery Hero, despite its €10bn offer being rejected earlier.
As of 19 May 2026, Uber held a 19.5% stake in Delivery Hero, along with an additional 5.6% held in options.
Subsequently, in the latter half of the month, Uber further raised its interest to nearly 37% after buying a stake from fellow shareholder Aspex Management, according to a Reuters report.
Prosus, Delivery Hero’s largest shareholder, is also planning to increase its stake, a step that could complicate or block an agreement with Uber.
Any transaction would also be expected to draw detailed examination from EU competition regulators.
Uber told the FT it had decided to halt its expansion after the “huge success” of launches in Finland and Denmark, with plans to “focus on continuing the momentum” in existing markets.
Delivery Hero already has a strong foothold in a number of the countries where Uber had been eyeing expansion. Its Foodora brand operates in Austria, Norway and the Czech Republic. In Greece, it runs “efood”, while its Glovo service is active in Romania.
