Politics · Germany · 2 hrs ago
Germany proposes simpler building rules to reduce housing costs
Germany's justice and construction ministers have proposed a draft law to make some new homes cheaper to build.
It would let builders, companies and buyers agree to skip certain comfort standards, such as extra soundproofing or a heated towel rail.
The changes would apply only to standards that are not legally required, while safety and health protections would remain in place.
The ministers say pilot projects suggest simpler construction could reduce building costs by 10 to 15 percent, at a time when Germany has a shortage of several hundred thousand homes.
The draft still needs agreement within the federal government, and state governments and industry groups will be invited to comment.
The ministers hope the rules could take effect in mid-2027 at the earliest, after further steps including votes in parliament's two chambers.
Germany’s justice and construction ministers have proposed changes to building contract law to make it easier to agree on simpler homes and reduce construction costs.
The proposal would let parties opt out of comfort standards that are not legally required, while preserving requirements for safety and health.
The ministries estimate that simpler construction could reduce building costs by 10 to 15 percent.
The ministers are aiming for the rules to take effect no earlier than mid-2027.
The draft has not yet been coordinated with other government ministries and must go through further consultation and legislative steps.
- Who
- Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig and Construction Minister Verena Hubertz proposed the draft.
- What
- The proposal would make it easier to agree to build homes without certain non-mandatory comfort standards, with the aim of lowering costs.
- When
- The ministers are aiming for the rules to take effect no earlier than mid-2027.
- Where
- Germany.
- Why
- The ministers say simpler building can reduce costs and help increase housing construction. Germany is short several hundred thousand homes.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig and Construction Minister Verena Hubertz presented the draft together.
The previous coalition government of the SPD, Greens and FDP made an initial proposal for the Gebäudetyp E.
The draft could go to a cabinet decision and then to the Bundestag and Bundesrat.
The ministers are aiming for the new rules to take effect.
- Estimated building-cost reduction
- 10 to 15 percent
- Target start date
- No earlier than mid-2027
- Homes approved, January to August
- 169,400
- Change in housing approvals
- About 12 percent higher than the same period a year earlier
- Housing shortage
- Several hundred thousand homes
What people are saying
Mit dem Gebäudetyp E geben wir Bauherren, Bauunternehmen und Käuferinnen die Freiheit zurück, auf unnötigen Schnickschnack zu verzichten.
Jeder Euro, den wir nicht in überflüssige Standards stecken, ist ein Euro für mehr bezahlbaren Wohnraum.