diff --git a/api-goldens/element-ng/navbar-vertical-next/index.api.md b/api-goldens/element-ng/navbar-vertical-next/index.api.md
index 23b85dfce..35757dcc6 100644
--- a/api-goldens/element-ng/navbar-vertical-next/index.api.md
+++ b/api-goldens/element-ng/navbar-vertical-next/index.api.md
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 
 import * as _angular_core from '@angular/core';
 import { OnChanges } from '@angular/core';
+import { OnDestroy } from '@angular/core';
 import { OnInit } from '@angular/core';
 import * as _siemens_element_ng_navbar_vertical_next from '@siemens/element-ng/navbar-vertical-next';
 import * as _siemens_element_translate_ng_translate from '@siemens/element-translate-ng/translate';
@@ -15,6 +16,7 @@ import { TemplateRef } from '@angular/core';
 // @public (undocumented)
 export class SiNavbarVerticalNextComponent implements OnChanges, OnInit {
     constructor();
+    readonly alwaysOpenGroupsInFlyout: _angular_core.InputSignalWithTransform<boolean, unknown>;
     collapse(): void;
     readonly collapsed: _angular_core.ModelSignal<boolean>;
     expand(): void;
@@ -44,7 +46,7 @@ export class SiNavbarVerticalNextGroupComponent {
 }
 
 // @public (undocumented)
-export class SiNavbarVerticalNextGroupTriggerDirective implements OnInit {
+export class SiNavbarVerticalNextGroupTriggerDirective implements OnInit, OnDestroy {
     constructor();
     // (undocumented)
     readonly expanded: _angular_core.WritableSignal<boolean>;
diff --git a/projects/element-ng/navbar-vertical-next/si-navbar-vertical-next-group-trigger.directive.ts b/projects/element-ng/navbar-vertical-next/si-navbar-vertical-next-group-trigger.directive.ts
index 1166d00c3..2e4309345 100644
--- a/projects/element-ng/navbar-vertical-next/si-navbar-vertical-next-group-trigger.directive.ts
+++ b/projects/element-ng/navbar-vertical-next/si-navbar-vertical-next-group-trigger.directive.ts
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ import {
   Injector,
   input,
   linkedSignal,
+  OnDestroy,
   OnInit,
   signal,
   TemplateRef,
@@ -53,7 +54,7 @@ class SiNavbarFlyoutAnchorComponent {
     '(click)': 'triggered()'
   }
 })
-export class SiNavbarVerticalNextGroupTriggerDirective implements OnInit {
+export class SiNavbarVerticalNextGroupTriggerDirective implements OnInit, OnDestroy {
   private static idCounter = 0;
 
   /** @internal */
@@ -121,6 +122,11 @@ export class SiNavbarVerticalNextGroupTriggerDirective implements OnInit {
     this.attachInline();
   }
 
+  ngOnDestroy(): void {
+    this.flyoutOutsideClickSubscription?.unsubscribe();
+    this.overlayRef.dispose();
+  }
+
   /** @internal */
   hideFlyout(): void {
     if (this.flyout()) {
@@ -134,7 +140,7 @@ export class SiNavbarVerticalNextGroupTriggerDirective implements OnInit {
   }
 
   protected triggered(): void {
-    if (this.navbar.collapsed()) {
+    if (this.navbar.collapsed() || this.navbar.alwaysOpenGroupsInFlyout()) {
       this.toggleFlyout();
     } else {
       this.expanded.set(!this.expanded());
diff --git a/projects/element-ng/navbar-vertical-next/si-navbar-vertical-next-group.component.ts b/projects/element-ng/navbar-vertical-next/si-navbar-vertical-next-group.component.ts
index 91670f1d5..fdb06e687 100644
--- a/projects/element-ng/navbar-vertical-next/si-navbar-vertical-next-group.component.ts
+++ b/projects/element-ng/navbar-vertical-next/si-navbar-vertical-next-group.component.ts
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ import { SI_NAVBAR_VERTICAL_NEXT } from './si-navbar-vertical-next.provider';
       [class.inline-group]="!flyout"
       [class.dropdown-menu]="flyout"
       [cdkTrapFocus]="flyout"
-      [cdkTrapFocusAutoCapture]="flyout"
+      [cdkTrapFocusAutoCapture]="autoCaptureFocus()"
     >
       <div [class.overflow-hidden]="!flyout">
         <ng-content />
@@ -44,6 +44,10 @@ export class SiNavbarVerticalNextGroupComponent {
   // Store initial value, as the mode for an instance never changes.
   protected flyout = this.groupTrigger.flyout();
 
+  protected readonly autoCaptureFocus = computed(
+    () => this.flyout && !this.navbar.alwaysOpenGroupsInFlyout()
+  );
+
   protected readonly visible = computed(() => {
     return this.flyout || (!this.navbar.collapsed() && this.groupTrigger.expanded());
   });
diff --git a/projects/element-ng/navbar-vertical-next/si-navbar-vertical-next-item.component.html b/projects/element-ng/navbar-vertical-next/si-navbar-vertical-next-item.component.html
index 1a8613186..07a51c9dd 100644
--- a/projects/element-ng/navbar-vertical-next/si-navbar-vertical-next-item.component.html
+++ b/projects/element-ng/navbar-vertical-next/si-navbar-vertical-next-item.component.html
@@ -18,5 +18,8 @@
   >
 }
 @if (group) {
-  <si-icon aria-hidden="true" class="dropdown-caret me-0 text-body" [icon]="icons.elementDown2" />
+  <si-icon
+    class="dropdown-caret me-0 text-body"
+    [icon]="openGroupsInFlyout() ? icons.elementRight2 : icons.elementDown2"
+  />
 }
diff --git a/projects/element-ng/navbar-vertical-next/si-navbar-vertical-next-item.component.scss b/projects/element-ng/navbar-vertical-next/si-navbar-vertical-next-item.component.scss
index fe162a456..51bcbb10d 100644
--- a/projects/element-ng/navbar-vertical-next/si-navbar-vertical-next-item.component.scss
+++ b/projects/element-ng/navbar-vertical-next/si-navbar-vertical-next-item.component.scss
@@ -86,6 +86,10 @@
   }
 }
 
+:host-context(.dropdown-menu) :host(.navbar-vertical-item) {
+  padding-inline-start: 0;
+}
+
 :host(.dropdown-item) {
   .item-title {
     font-weight: normal;
diff --git a/projects/element-ng/navbar-vertical-next/si-navbar-vertical-next-item.component.spec.ts b/projects/element-ng/navbar-vertical-next/si-navbar-vertical-next-item.component.spec.ts
index afff6c334..e337bed6c 100644
--- a/projects/element-ng/navbar-vertical-next/si-navbar-vertical-next-item.component.spec.ts
+++ b/projects/element-ng/navbar-vertical-next/si-navbar-vertical-next-item.component.spec.ts
@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@
 import { Component, signal } from '@angular/core';
 import { ComponentFixture, TestBed } from '@angular/core/testing';
 
+import { SiNavbarVerticalNextGroupTriggerDirective } from './si-navbar-vertical-next-group-trigger.directive';
+import { SiNavbarVerticalNextGroupComponent } from './si-navbar-vertical-next-group.component';
 import { SiNavbarVerticalNextItemComponent } from './si-navbar-vertical-next-item.component';
 import { SI_NAVBAR_VERTICAL_NEXT } from './si-navbar-vertical-next.provider';
 
@@ -51,12 +53,14 @@ describe('SiNavbarVerticalNextItemComponent', () => {
   const mockNavbar = {
     collapsed: signal(false),
     textOnly: signal(false),
+    alwaysOpenGroupsInFlyout: signal(false),
     itemTriggered: vi.fn()
   };
 
   beforeEach(async () => {
     mockNavbar.collapsed.set(false);
     mockNavbar.textOnly.set(false);
+    mockNavbar.alwaysOpenGroupsInFlyout.set(false);
 
     await TestBed.configureTestingModule({
       providers: [{ provide: SI_NAVBAR_VERTICAL_NEXT, useValue: mockNavbar }]
@@ -285,4 +289,53 @@ describe('SiNavbarVerticalNextItemComponent', () => {
       expect(linkElement).not.toHaveClass('hide-badge-collapsed');
     });
   });
+
+  describe('dropdown-caret icon based on openGroupsInFlyout', () => {
+    @Component({
+      imports: [
+        SiNavbarVerticalNextItemComponent,
+        SiNavbarVerticalNextGroupTriggerDirective,
+        SiNavbarVerticalNextGroupComponent
+      ],
+      template: `
+        <button
+          type="button"
+          si-navbar-vertical-next-item
+          [siNavbarVerticalNextGroupTriggerFor]="groupTemplate"
+        >
+          Group Item
+        </button>
+        <ng-template #groupTemplate>
+          <si-navbar-vertical-next-group />
+        </ng-template>
+      `
+    })
+    class TestGroupItemHostComponent {}
+
+    let groupFixture: ComponentFixture<TestGroupItemHostComponent>;
+
+    beforeEach(async () => {
+      TestBed.resetTestingModule();
+      await TestBed.configureTestingModule({
+        providers: [{ provide: SI_NAVBAR_VERTICAL_NEXT, useValue: mockNavbar }]
+      }).compileComponents();
+
+      mockNavbar.alwaysOpenGroupsInFlyout.set(false);
+      groupFixture = TestBed.createComponent(TestGroupItemHostComponent);
+      groupFixture.detectChanges();
+    });
+
+    it('should show down caret when alwaysOpenGroupsInFlyout is false', () => {
+      const caretIcon = groupFixture.nativeElement.querySelector('si-icon.dropdown-caret');
+      expect(caretIcon.getAttribute('data-icon')).toBe('elementDown2');
+    });
+
+    it('should show right caret when alwaysOpenGroupsInFlyout is true', async () => {
+      mockNavbar.alwaysOpenGroupsInFlyout.set(true);
+      await groupFixture.whenStable();
+
+      const caretIcon = groupFixture.nativeElement.querySelector('si-icon.dropdown-caret');
+      expect(caretIcon.getAttribute('data-icon')).toBe('elementRight2');
+    });
+  });
 });
diff --git a/projects/element-ng/navbar-vertical-next/si-navbar-vertical-next-item.component.ts b/projects/element-ng/navbar-vertical-next/si-navbar-vertical-next-item.component.ts
index 4687e438e..3a763631e 100644
--- a/projects/element-ng/navbar-vertical-next/si-navbar-vertical-next-item.component.ts
+++ b/projects/element-ng/navbar-vertical-next/si-navbar-vertical-next-item.component.ts
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ import {
   OnInit
 } from '@angular/core';
 import { RouterLinkActive } from '@angular/router';
-import { elementDown2 } from '@siemens/element-icons';
+import { elementDown2, elementRight2 } from '@siemens/element-icons';
 import { addIcons, SiIconComponent } from '@siemens/element-ng/icon';
 import { SiLinkDirective } from '@siemens/element-ng/link';
 
@@ -29,15 +29,15 @@ import { SI_NAVBAR_VERTICAL_NEXT } from './si-navbar-vertical-next.provider';
   changeDetection: ChangeDetectionStrategy.OnPush,
   host: {
     'class': 'focus-inside',
-    '[class.dropdown-item]': 'this.parent?.group?.flyout()',
-    '[class.navbar-vertical-item]': '!this.parent?.group?.flyout()',
+    '[class.dropdown-item]': '!openGroupsInFlyout() && this.parent?.group?.flyout()',
+    '[class.navbar-vertical-item]': '!this.parent?.group?.flyout() || openGroupsInFlyout()',
     '[class.active]': 'active',
     '[class.hide-badge-collapsed]': 'hideBadgeWhenCollapsed()',
     '(click)': 'triggered()'
   }
 })
 export class SiNavbarVerticalNextItemComponent implements OnInit {
-  protected readonly icons = addIcons({ elementDown2 });
+  protected readonly icons = addIcons({ elementDown2, elementRight2 });
 
   /** Optional icon to render before the label. */
   readonly icon = input<string>();
@@ -92,6 +92,8 @@ export class SiNavbarVerticalNextItemComponent implements OnInit {
     return badge.toString();
   });
 
+  protected readonly openGroupsInFlyout = computed(() => this.navbar.alwaysOpenGroupsInFlyout());
+
   ngOnInit(): void {
     if (this.group && this.active) {
       this.group.expanded.set(true);
diff --git a/projects/element-ng/navbar-vertical-next/si-navbar-vertical-next.component.ts b/projects/element-ng/navbar-vertical-next/si-navbar-vertical-next.component.ts
index 051376b4a..11d26c022 100644
--- a/projects/element-ng/navbar-vertical-next/si-navbar-vertical-next.component.ts
+++ b/projects/element-ng/navbar-vertical-next/si-navbar-vertical-next.component.ts
@@ -62,6 +62,15 @@ export class SiNavbarVerticalNextComponent implements OnChanges, OnInit {
    */
   readonly textOnly = input(false, { transform: booleanAttribute });
 
+  /**
+   * When `true`, item-groups always open as a transient flyout panel adjacent to the
+   * trigger, regardless of whether the navbar is collapsed or expanded.
+   * Flyouts open and close on click.
+   *
+   * @defaultValue false
+   */
+  readonly alwaysOpenGroupsInFlyout = input(false, { transform: booleanAttribute });
+
   /**
    * List of vertical navigation items
    *
diff --git a/projects/element-ng/navbar-vertical-next/si-navbar-vertical-next.spec.ts b/projects/element-ng/navbar-vertical-next/si-navbar-vertical-next.spec.ts
index 5576e6104..85d08437d 100644
--- a/projects/element-ng/navbar-vertical-next/si-navbar-vertical-next.spec.ts
+++ b/projects/element-ng/navbar-vertical-next/si-navbar-vertical-next.spec.ts
@@ -66,6 +66,7 @@ class EmptyComponent {}
       [textOnly]="textOnly()"
       [stateId]="stateId"
       [collapsed]="collapsed()"
+      [alwaysOpenGroupsInFlyout]="alwaysOpenGroupsInFlyout()"
     >
       <si-navbar-vertical-next-search [debounceTime]="0" (searchChange)="searchEvent($event)" />
       @if (showDeclarativeFlyoutGroup()) {
@@ -158,6 +159,7 @@ class TestHostComponent {
   readonly textOnly = signal(true);
   stateId?: string;
   readonly collapsed = signal(false);
+  readonly alwaysOpenGroupsInFlyout = signal(false);
   readonly showDeclarativeFlyoutGroup = signal(false);
   readonly showDeclarativeNavigationGroup = signal(false);
   readonly showDeclarativeStateGroups = signal(false);
@@ -263,6 +265,17 @@ describe('SiNavbarVerticalNext', () => {
       expect(await item.isFlyout()).toBe(false);
     });
 
+    it('should open flyout on click when alwaysOpenGroupsInFlyout is set', async () => {
+      component.alwaysOpenGroupsInFlyout.set(true);
+      component.showDeclarativeFlyoutGroup.set(true);
+      fixture.detectChanges();
+      await fixture.whenStable();
+
+      const item = await harness.findItemByLabel('item-1');
+      await item.click();
+      expect(await item.isFlyout()).toBe(true);
+    });
+
     it('should emit search event', async () => {
       component.collapsed.set(true);
 
diff --git a/src/app/examples/si-navbar-vertical-next/si-navbar-vertical-next-always-flyout.html b/src/app/examples/si-navbar-vertical-next/si-navbar-vertical-next-always-flyout.html
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..4786f44b4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/examples/si-navbar-vertical-next/si-navbar-vertical-next-always-flyout.html
@@ -0,0 +1,96 @@
+<div class="has-navbar-fixed-top">
+  <si-application-header>
+    <si-header-brand>
+      <a routerLink="/" siHeaderLogo></a>
+      <h1 class="application-name">Navbar Vertical Next — Always Open Groups In Flyout</h1>
+    </si-header-brand>
+  </si-application-header>
+
+  <si-navbar-vertical-next
+    alwaysOpenGroupsInFlyout
+    stateId="navbar-vertical-next-always-flyout"
+    navbarCollapseButtonText="collapse"
+    navbarExpandButtonText="expand"
+  >
+    <si-navbar-vertical-next-search placeholder="Search..." />
+    <si-navbar-vertical-next-items>
+      <a si-navbar-vertical-next-item routerLink="home" routerLinkActive icon="element-home">
+        Home
+      </a>
+      <si-navbar-vertical-next-header>Modules</si-navbar-vertical-next-header>
+      <a si-navbar-vertical-next-item routerLink="energy" routerLinkActive icon="element-trend">
+        Energy &amp; sustainability
+      </a>
+      <button
+        type="button"
+        si-navbar-vertical-next-item
+        icon="element-user-group"
+        [siNavbarVerticalNextGroupTriggerFor]="userManagement"
+      >
+        User management
+      </button>
+      <a
+        si-navbar-vertical-next-item
+        routerLink="coverage"
+        routerLinkActive
+        icon="element-diagnostic"
+      >
+        Test coverage
+      </a>
+      <si-navbar-vertical-next-divider />
+      <button
+        type="button"
+        si-navbar-vertical-next-item
+        icon="element-document"
+        [siNavbarVerticalNextGroupTriggerFor]="documentation"
+      >
+        Documentation
+      </button>
+    </si-navbar-vertical-next-items>
+    <si-navbar-vertical-next-footer-items>
+      <a
+        si-navbar-vertical-next-item
+        routerLink="settings"
+        routerLinkActive
+        icon="element-settings"
+      >
+        Settings
+      </a>
+    </si-navbar-vertical-next-footer-items>
+
+    <div class="si-layout-main-padding">
+      <div class="si-layout-header">
+        <h2 class="si-layout-title si-layout-top-element">Here is a title</h2>
+      </div>
+      <router-outlet />
+    </div>
+  </si-navbar-vertical-next>
+</div>
+
+<ng-template #userManagement>
+  <si-navbar-vertical-next-group routerLinkActive>
+    <a si-navbar-vertical-next-item routerLink="subItem" routerLinkActive icon="element-rocket">
+      Sub item
+    </a>
+    <a si-navbar-vertical-next-item routerLink="subItem2" routerLinkActive icon="element-rocket">
+      Sub item 2
+    </a>
+    <a si-navbar-vertical-next-item routerLink="subItem3" routerLinkActive icon="element-rocket">
+      Sub item 3
+    </a>
+  </si-navbar-vertical-next-group>
+</ng-template>
+
+<ng-template #documentation>
+  <si-navbar-vertical-next-group routerLinkActive>
+    <a si-navbar-vertical-next-item routerLink="subItem4" routerLinkActive icon="element-rocket">
+      Sub item 4
+    </a>
+    <a si-navbar-vertical-next-item routerLink="subItem5" routerLinkActive icon="element-rocket">
+      Sub item 5
+    </a>
+    <a si-navbar-vertical-next-item routerLink="subItem6" routerLinkActive icon="element-rocket">
+      Sub item 6
+    </a>
+  </si-navbar-vertical-next-group>
+</ng-template>
diff --git a/src/app/examples/si-navbar-vertical-next/si-navbar-vertical-next-always-flyout.ts b/src/app/examples/si-navbar-vertical-next/si-navbar-vertical-next-always-flyout.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..0188442a3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/examples/si-navbar-vertical-next/si-navbar-vertical-next-always-flyout.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+/**
+ * Copyright (c) Siemens 2016 - 2026
+ * SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
+ */
+import { ChangeDetectionStrategy, Component, inject, OnInit } from '@angular/core';
+import {
+  ActivatedRoute,
+  Router,
+  RouterLink,
+  RouterLinkActive,
+  RouterOutlet
+} from '@angular/router';
+import {
+  SiApplicationHeaderComponent,
+  SiHeaderBrandDirective,
+  SiHeaderLogoDirective
+} from '@siemens/element-ng/application-header';
+import {
+  SiNavbarVerticalNextSearchComponent,
+  SiNavbarVerticalNextItemsComponent,
+  SiNavbarVerticalNextComponent,
+  SiNavbarVerticalNextDividerComponent,
+  SiNavbarVerticalNextFooterItemsComponent,
+  SiNavbarVerticalNextGroupComponent,
+  SiNavbarVerticalNextGroupTriggerDirective,
+  SiNavbarVerticalNextHeaderComponent,
+  SiNavbarVerticalNextItemComponent
+} from '@siemens/element-ng/navbar-vertical-next';
+
+@Component({
+  selector: 'app-sample',
+  imports: [
+    SiNavbarVerticalNextComponent,
+    SiNavbarVerticalNextSearchComponent,
+    SiNavbarVerticalNextItemsComponent,
+    SiNavbarVerticalNextFooterItemsComponent,
+    SiNavbarVerticalNextItemComponent,
+    SiNavbarVerticalNextGroupComponent,
+    SiNavbarVerticalNextGroupTriggerDirective,
+    SiNavbarVerticalNextHeaderComponent,
+    SiNavbarVerticalNextDividerComponent,
+    SiApplicationHeaderComponent,
+    SiHeaderBrandDirective,
+    RouterLink,
+    RouterLinkActive,
+    RouterOutlet,
+    SiHeaderLogoDirective
+  ],
+  templateUrl: './si-navbar-vertical-next-always-flyout.html',
+  changeDetection: ChangeDetectionStrategy.OnPush
+})
+export class SampleComponent implements OnInit {
+  private activeRoute = inject(ActivatedRoute);
+  private router = inject(Router);
+
+  ngOnInit(): void {
+    this.router.navigate(['home'], { relativeTo: this.activeRoute });
+  }
+}