Update: German Housing Permits Rise 24.7% in May — Destatis

Authorities approved 21,000 homes during the month

New construction permits rose 24.7% from a year earlier

Two-family homes posted the strongest gain through May

WIESBADEN, Germany — German authorities approved the construction of 21,000 homes in May 2026, up 24.7% from a year earlier, the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) said in an emailed press release on Friday.

The increase was driven mainly by permits for new residential construction.

New Construction Drives the Result

Permits for 17,800 homes in new buildings were issued in May. That was a rise of 4,100 homes, or 29.9%, from May 2025.

Another 3,200 homes were approved through conversions of existing buildings. That figure rose by 100, or 2.0%, from a year earlier.

Building permits are an early indicator of future construction activity. A permit, however, does not guarantee that a project will begin or be completed.

Permits Rise Across Housing Categories

From January through May 2026, permits for new homes in residential buildings rose 16.6% from the same period a year earlier.

Permits for single-family homes increased 12.6%. Approvals for homes in two-family buildings increased 21.6%.

Permits for apartments in multifamily buildings increased 18.9%.

The figures indicate a broader improvement in planned residential construction.