Slight increase in building permits in the East

After a sharp slump in previous years, the number of building permits for residential construction has risen slightly in some eastern German states. In total, around 9,200 residential buildings were approved in Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Berlin and Brandenburg last year, said a spokesperson for the Construction Industry Association East, which represents companies in these four federal states. This corresponds to an increase of 9.5 percent for the association's area.

However, the number of approvals plummeted after 2022. In 2022, the association counted around 21,600 approved residential buildings. "The figures point to a recovery in residential construction," said Robert Momberg, Managing Director of the construction industry association. "However, the growth is put into perspective in view of the dramatic slump in recent years."

With the exception of Brandenburg, the number of approvals increased in the association's area. In Brandenburg, the number of permits actually fell. "There is no sign of a trend reversal," the association said.