In the EU, in 2022, 5.9% of the GDP was invested in housing. This share varied among member states, ranging from 8.6% in Cyprus, 7.3% in Germany, 7.2% in Finland, and 7.1% in France to 1.6% in Greece, 2.2% in Poland, and 2.4% in Ireland and Latvia, according to the European Commission.

The number of homes that received building permits in the EU in 2022 decreased by 4%.

A building permit is an authorization to commence work on a construction project and represents the final stage of planning and building authorizations from public authorities.

Regarding the number of homes for which building permits were issued in the EU between 2010 and 2022, the number increased each year from 2014, except for the years 2020 (-5%) and 2022 (-4%). Overall, between 2010 and 2022, there was a growth of 29%.

The number of homes approved for construction increased in 23 member states between 2010 and 2022. These nearly quadrupled in Bulgaria (+277%), followed by Estonia (+162%) and Malta (+118%). The largest decreases were observed in Italy (-45%), Greece (-42%), and Cyprus (-31%).