Fewer new homes built in first quarter 2026 than last year

The number of newly completed homes fell sharply in the first quarter of the year. Just over 13,700 houses were delivered, roughly 1,800 fewer than in the opening months of last year, according to Statistics Netherlands. The drop is even more pronounced compared with late 2025, when almost 22,800 new homes were completed.

Overall, the total housing supply grew by approximately 13,400 homes in the first quarter. Around 2,800 properties were demolished, and another 2,400 were removed from the housing stock because of redevelopment projects or changes in function. Renovations and conversions, however, also created roughly 4,800 additional homes.

Nearly 23,500 housing construction permits were granted in the first quarter, according to Statistics Netherlands. That marks an increase compared with the same period last year, when just over 18,700 permits were issued. Compared with the previous quarter, though, the number of permits fell by roughly 900.

Authorities also granted permits for almost 5,200 new business buildings, an increase of roughly 1,100 compared with the same period last year. During the first quarter, around 4,200 new commercial properties were added.

In the first quarter of 2026, authorities revoked building permits for approximately 700 planned new homes.