Overview
- The Bundesrat approved a time‑limited change that lets municipalities authorize additional housing after a three‑month review, in force until 31 December 2030.
- The measure focuses on infill, up‑building and conversions, allows limited deviations from noise rules, and keeps environmental and nature reviews in place.
- Destatis reported 19,300 housing approvals in August 2025, up 5.7% year on year, and 151,200 from January to August, up 6.5% versus a year earlier.
- Single‑family permits rose 15.5% to 29,300 in the first eight months, multifamily reached 79,100 (+4.9%), and two‑family homes fell 5.3%.
- Industry groups welcomed faster planning but warned it will not cut building costs without added funding and deregulation, as experts note permits remain about 100,000 below 2021 and completions were 251,900 in 2024.