Residential Construction Czech Republic: housing demand still unmet in 2025
Residential construction Czech Republic: a market struggling to keep up
Residential construction in the Czech Republic continues to fall short of meeting housing demand, confirming a structural weakness that persisted throughout 2025. Official data show a decline in new housing starts, while the number of completed homes, although increasing, remains insufficient. The result is a residential market unable to fully respond to the needs of families, young buyers, and investors, especially in the country’s most dynamic urban areas.
2025 figures show fewer new projects and only partial recovery
According to data released by the Czech Statistical Office, construction began on 35,819 new housing units in 2025, a year-on-year decline of 2.2%. Completed dwellings rose by 11.5% to 33,742 units. Despite this increase, output is still around 5% below the average of the past five years. The regions with the highest levels of construction activity were the capital Prague, Central Bohemia, and South Moravia, yet even these areas failed to fully close the long-standing housing gap.
Investor caution and permit bottlenecks slow the sector
Experts point to several reasons behind the slowdown in residential construction in the Czech Republic. Investors’ caution remains high, influenced by economic uncertainty and elevated construction costs. At the same time, administrative hurdles continue to weigh heavily on the sector. Obtaining building permits is often a lengthy and complex process, discouraging new developments and delaying project launches. The rise in completed homes largely reflects the conclusion of projects started in previous years rather than a renewed construction boom.
A stabilising market, but no real recovery yet
Industry voices describe the current situation as one of stabilisation rather than recovery. The Czech real estate market appears to have reached a temporary equilibrium, without clear signs of sustained growth. Looking ahead, 2026 is expected to be a transitional year, potentially laying the groundwork for a more meaningful revival of residential construction in the following years. In the short term, however, housing shortages are likely to persist, continuing to put upward pressure on prices and limiting affordability, particularly in major cities.
Building law reform seen as a potential turning point
A more optimistic outlook for residential construction in the Czech Republic is linked to the planned reform of the building law. The introduction of simplified permitting procedures could significantly reduce approval times and costs, encouraging new investment. The amendment, currently under parliamentary discussion, is viewed by industry experts as a key step forward. Without a fundamental systemic change, they warn, long-term sustainable development of the construction sector and meaningful improvements in housing affordability will remain out of reach.
Source: Ceske noviny
