More construction permits issued, but actual housing construction still lagging
In the last quarter of 2025, construction permits were issued for the construction of 24,200 homes, 1,500 more than in the third quarter, Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reported on Wednesday. More homes are also being built, but the number is lagging behind the issued permits.
22,800 new homes were built last quarter, 3,600 more than in the same period in 2024 and 7,900 more than in the third quarter. Another 4,700 homes were added to the housing stock through converting non-residential properties or dividing existing homes. 2,800 homes were demolished, and 1,700 homes were turned into other-use buildings. In total, 23,100 more homes were added to the housing stock.
The number of new homes in the pipeline, for which permits have been issued but that haven’t been built yet, increased by 1,000. In the third quarter, the pipeline increased by 8,100 homes.
“A backlog of building permits has built up that can’t be realized,” Peter Boelhouwer, a professor of the housing market at Delft University of Technology, told NU.nl.
One possible reason is that projects are struggling to secure financing, resulting in construction plans falling through, Boelhouwer said. This is particularly an issue with bigger projects like apartment buildings or residential estates. Before construction can even begin, a minimum number of homes must already be sold. Foreign investors may be less eager to buy rental properties due to rent regulation putting pressure on future profits, Boelhouwer said.
He added that some analysts expect a catch-up. Last year, 69,000 new homes were built in the Netherlands. The Economic Institute for Construction (EIB) expects that number to increase to 80,000 this year and 84,000 next year. While that is an improvement, it is still well below the Dutch government’s target of building 100,000 homes per year to address the housing shortage.
