Commission seeks views on simplifying rules governing housing supply in Europe
The European Commission is collecting evidence on measures to simplify rules impacting housing supply and affordability, which will feed into the preparation of a Housing Simplification Package. The call for evidence targets national, regional and local authorities, as well as all stakeholders including the housing, construction, finance and civil society sectors.
The EU is facing a housing affordability crisis, and a fragmented landscape of rules in Member States leads to complexity, which increases unnecessary paperwork, delays and costs.
The Commission has made simplification a core part of its work, and has already proposed over 12 large-scale simplification packages, worth around €18 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.
Respondents are invited to submit evidence by 30 September 2026 on how EU rules affect housing supply, and practical suggestions for simplification and good practices. They should try to distinguish between effects resulting from EU legislation and those arising from domestic implementation or regulation. This exercise will help the EU identify, assess and address the underlying causes of regulatory complexity, delays and high costs, ultimately improving housing supply.
Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Dan Jørgensen said: “To build better, more and faster, the building sector needs simpler rules. We can’t combat the housing crisis without speeding up construction and renovation. We need to avoid unnecessary paperwork, costs and delays. With this simplification package, we will help deliver more affordable and sustainable homes across Europe without lowering our environmental and social protection standards.”
As part of the consultation process, the Commission is organising various workshops and meetings with Member States and local authorities, harnessing the potential of the newly established Housing Alliance.
