Germany

Downward trend in building permits in Germany

Article by Jakob Wassermann (translated by Eva Guzely) | 24.10.2023 - 13:19

From January to August, the construction of a total of 176,000 new buildings was permitted. In 2022, the number was 245,000 in the same period.

Sharp decreases of 38% (to 35,000) and 35% (to 14,000) respectively were recorded in permits for the construction of single-family and two-family homes. 94,000 multi-family homes were permitted, i.e. 28% fewer than in the same period of last year.

The number of building permits increased only in the residential buildings segment: 5,800 permitted apartments correspond to an increase of 31%.

Building permits Germany | January to August 2023
Number of building permits for housing units in Germany 
Buildings/Apartments 01-08 2022 01-08 2023 Diff. in %
Construction of new buildings and work on existing buildings and apartments:
in residential and non-residential construction 244,605 175,799 –28.1
Construction of new buildings, apartments with:
1 housing unit 55,260 34,525 –37.5
2 housing units 21,077 13,697 –35.0
3 or more housing units 130,746 93,775 –28.3
Residential buildings 4,454 5,818 30.6