In February 2026, building permits for 22,200 housing units were approved in Germany. According to data released by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) on Friday, this figure represents 24.1 percent-or an additional 4,300 permits-compared to February of the previous year. Specifically, the number of newly constructed apartments increased by 30.6 percent, adding 4,500 units to reach 19,000. In contrast, the number of units approved resulting from the conversion of existing buildings saw a slight decline of 4.0 percent compared to the prior year, dropping 100 units to 3,200.
Looking at the period from January to February 2026, a total of 41,700 housing units were approved for construction in both new and existing buildings. This marked an increase of 16.2 percent, or 5,800 units, compared to the same period in 2025.
For entirely new residential buildings between January and February 2026, 34,500 units were approved, reflecting a rise of 17.6 percent-or 5,100 more new units than the previous year. Key increases were noted in specific building types. Single-family homes saw a 14.2 percent rise (+1,000 units), reaching 7,800 permits. The number of approved two-family homes increased by 25.8 percent (+500 units) to 2,400. The strongest category numerically, multi-family buildings, saw approval authorities grant 21,900 new units-an 18.0 percent jump (+3,300 units) compared to the previous year. Furthermore, apartment units in residential care facilities increased by 16.8 percent (+300 units) compared to the previous year, totaling 2,400 units.
In new non-residential buildings, 950 units were approved from January to February 2026-an increase of 85.6 percent (+450 units). These permits include units like caretaker apartments in schools or residential units established above commercial spaces in city centers.
Finally, for conversion measures in both existing residential and non-residential buildings, statisticians reported that 6,300 units were approved from January to February 2026. This represented an increase of 3.9 percent-or 200 units-compared to the same two-month period in 2025.
