For the first time since 2021, more new housing was approved. After three years of declining numbers, the authorities issued more in 2025 Permits for the conversion and new construction of apartments. The Federal Statistical Office counted 238,500 units. This corresponds to an increase of 10.8 percent over the previous year.
According to the still preliminary figures, 194,200 apartments were approved in new residential buildings last year, 13.2 percent more than in 2024. The number of new single-family homes rose by 17.2 percent to 44,500, the number of new two-family homes was almost unchanged at 12,600. In new apartment buildings, the largest type of building in terms of numbers, the authorities approved 128,100 apartments, 12.1 percent more than a year earlier.
Federal Construction Minister Verena Hubertz (SPD) spoke of evidence that “the trend reversal in housing construction has begun.” The second half of the year in particular, with growth of 17.8 percent, underlines “that a lot of things in housing construction are moving in the right direction,” said the minister. “The mood in the industry has improved and investments are also increasing. That’s also it Result of clear political decisions.”
However, it will take time for the approved construction projects to be implemented. According to real estate industry estimates, only 215,000 apartments will be completed this year. That would be around 20,000 fewer than in 2025 and overall significantly fewer than needed.
The federal government wants to speed up approvals with “construction turbo”.
Has been for years Affordable living space is scarce, especially in metropolitan areas. In cities like Munich, Frankfurt or Berlin, but also in other regions Housing costs are significantly too high for many people.
The incumbent federal government wants to use a “construction turbo” through faster approvals to overcome the slow pace housing advance. Experts consider this to be the right impulse. Construction Minister Hubertz said that with this and other steps the government is ensuring “that the positive trend continues in 2026”. Most building construction companies do not expect noticeable effects of the “construction turbo” until 2027 and 2028.
