German HR and payroll platform Personio has acquired the spend management company Circula. The deal aims to consolidate payroll, expenses, and benefits into a single system for European businesses. Circula will operate under the name Circula by Personio starting October 6, with its team joining the parent company.
Personio, founded in 2015, currently serves over 16,000 companies with a combined workforce of 1.6 million people. Circula brings its own base of more than 3,000 mid-market customers. The companies have previously collaborated on integrations, including shared support for DATEV accounting systems, which will continue to be developed.
The acquisition follows a period of significant investment in the European HR and workforce management sector. Throughout 2026, major funding rounds have included €200 million for Skello, €129 million for Factorial, €37 million for WorkFlex, and €30 million for Moss. Circula itself previously secured €15 million in a Series A round in 2025.
While the companies plan to integrate their platforms, Circula will remain available as a standalone product for customers who do not use Personio. Both firms emphasize their continued focus on supporting tax advisors and maintaining existing compliance and tax logic integrations.
