Building permits for homes in the European Union (EU-27) experienced a significant decline betwen 2021 and 2024. In 2021, permits were approved for **** million housing units. However, by 2024, this number fell to **** million. The year when housing permits decreased the most was 2023, when housing permits were **** percent lower than the previous year. Among those approvals, nearly twice as many multifamily units were permitted compared to single-family homes.
Which country built more homes?
Despite the overall decline in EU building permits, individual countries showed varying levels of residential construction activity. Turkey had the highest number of housing units approved by building permits in 2023, with more than ******* units. France followed with ******* units. However, that was partly so because they were the largest countries in Europe. When comparing the number of construction starts of new residential properties per 1,000 citizens, Ireland led with approximately **** new residences per 1,000 citizens, while Italy had only **** new residences per 1,000 citizens.
Real estate investment outlook
The decrease in building permits aligns with shifting sentiments in the European real estate industry. According to a 2024 survey of industry experts, investment prospects for house building declined after 2022. However, the prospect score for real estate investment in 2025 increased to **** out of 5 (on a scale from 1 = poor to 5 = excellent). These trends suggest that, despite challenges in residential construction, real estate development activities may start growing again.
Number and annual growth rate of housing units approved by building permits for residential buildings except community residences in the European Union (EU-27) from 2005 to 2024
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Eurostat. (June 20, 2025). Number and annual growth rate of housing units approved by building permits for residential buildings except community residences in the European Union (EU-27) from 2005 to 2024 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved July 03, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/604972/building-permits-index-for-residential-buildings-european-union/
Eurostat. "Number and annual growth rate of housing units approved by building permits for residential buildings except community residences in the European Union (EU-27) from 2005 to 2024." Chart. June 20, 2025. Statista. Accessed July 03, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/604972/building-permits-index-for-residential-buildings-european-union/
Eurostat. (2025). Number and annual growth rate of housing units approved by building permits for residential buildings except community residences in the European Union (EU-27) from 2005 to 2024. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: July 03, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/604972/building-permits-index-for-residential-buildings-european-union/
Eurostat. "Number and Annual Growth Rate of Housing Units Approved by Building Permits for Residential Buildings except Community Residences in The European Union (Eu-27) from 2005 to 2024." Statista, Statista Inc., 20 Jun 2025, https://www.statista.com/statistics/604972/building-permits-index-for-residential-buildings-european-union/
Eurostat, Number and annual growth rate of housing units approved by building permits for residential buildings except community residences in the European Union (EU-27) from 2005 to 2024 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/604972/building-permits-index-for-residential-buildings-european-union/ (last visited July 03, 2025)
Number and annual growth rate of housing units approved by building permits for residential buildings except community residences in the European Union (EU-27) from 2005 to 2024 [Graph], Eurostat, June 20, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/604972/building-permits-index-for-residential-buildings-european-union/
