How can we simplify rules governing housing supply in Europe?

The European Commission is collecting evidence on measures to reduce administrative burdens impacting housing supply and affordability, which will feed into the preparation of a Housing Simplification Package. 

Cutting red tape, whilst respecting wider policy goals, will help deliver affordable, sustainable and quality homes more quickly in the areas that need them. The Commission estimates that the EU will need more than two million homes per year to match the current demand.  

The planned package, due in 2027, will look at ways to reduce unnecessary costs, delays and administrative burdens in order to accelerate the supply of housing across the EU. It will aim to identify practical ways to make existing rules, procedures and processes more efficient across all levels of administration. 

The Commission welcomes input from national, regional and local authorities and all other stakeholders including housing providers, urban planners, the construction and real estate sectors, civil society organisations, financial institutions, property owners and tenants’ associations. 

Background

The Commission has made simplification a core part of its work, and has already proposed over ten large-scale simplification packages, worth around €15 billion in administrative cost savings every year. The upcoming Housing simplification package is part of such efforts. Planned for 2027 under the European Affordable Housing Plan, the initiative will examine how EU legislation influences housing supply and affordability, with the aim of helping to deliver more affordable and sustainable housing. 

More information 

Call for evidence open until 30 September 

Simplification to accelerate the supply of affordable, sustainable and quality housing