Statbel, the Belgian statistical office, publishes today the figures on building permits until November 2020.

Annual evolution

The number of permits issued for new residential buildings in the first 11 months of 2020 has increased by 4.3% to 26,198 buildings compared to the same period in 2019.  The increase in the Flemish Region amounted to 5%.  In the Walloon Region, the number of permits issued for new residential buildings was 2.1% higher, and the Brussels-Capital Region registered a decrease of 4.6%.

Annual figures - number of new authorised residential buildings + evolution compared to the previous period

Monthly evolution

For the most recent month available, November 2020, building permits were issued for 2,222 new residential buildings. Compared to October 2020, this is a decrease of 16.1%.  In the Flemish Region, the decrease was 17.9%, which means that permits were issued for 1,666 buildings.  The number of permits issued for new residential buildings has decreased by 8.1% to 553 in the Walloon Region.   In the Brussels-Capital Region, permits were issued in November for the construction of 3 new residential buildings, compared to 17 buildings in the previous month.

Monthly figures - number of permits for new residential buildings + evolution compared to the previous period

Impact of the COVID-19

As a result of the pandemic, the regional authorities of all the regions have decided to extend the deadlines for public enquiries on current building permit applications, which has had an impact on the number of new residential buildings authorised from the second quarter onwards.  In the Flemish Region, there is a clear decline during the fourth and fifth months.  The level seems to be recovering from June onwards.   In the Walloon Region, the number of permits issued for new residential buildings registers a striking decrease from the fifth month and the level seems to be recovering from July onwards.

Long term evolution

Since 2007, the number of permits for the renovation of residential buildings was generally higher than the number of permits for the construction of new residential buildings.  This changes briefly from the second quarter of 2018 onwards.  From February 2019 onwards, the number of permits for the renovation of residential buildings is again higher than the number of permits for the construction of new residential buildings, but the difference remains small. In recent months, new buildings and renovations have been on the same level.

From 2003 onwards, more permits are issued for new apartments than for single family dwellings.  During the years 2010-2011, both were at approximately the same level.  Afterwards, the difference has been increasing again in favour of the apartments.  In recent months, the difference has narrowed again.

New construction vs renovation                               Single family dwellings vs apartments