New housing: Sales to individuals fall by another 4,8% in the second quarter of 2026

Reservations for new homes by individuals fell by 4,8% in the second quarter of 2026, to 16.112 units. However, for the first half of the year as a whole, they remained virtually unchanged compared to the same period in 2025, according to official data published on Thursday.

The recovery of the new housing market remains fragile. In the second quarter of 2026, 16.112 homes were reserved by individuals, a decrease of 4,8% compared to the first three months of the year, according to seasonally adjusted data from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.

Key market figures

16.112 homes reserved by individuals in the second quarter of 2026

-4,8% compared to the previous quarter

33.029 bookings in the first half of the year, representing a limited increase of 0,6% year-on-year.

17.499 homes put on the market in the second quarter, an increase of 11,1%

13.103 homes reserved in bulk, a decrease of 3,2%

Apartments and detached houses in decline

The decline affects both apartments in collective housing, where reservations are down 4,6%, and individual houses marketed by developers, which are down 7,6%.

In the first half of 2026, 33.029 new homes were reserved by individuals. This represents a slight increase of 0,6% compared to the first half of 2025, a particularly difficult year for a sector facing a crisis for almost four years.

Developers are increasing the number of properties put on the market

Despite persistently weak demand, developers increased their supply in the second quarter. New listings rose 11,1% compared to the previous quarter, reaching 17.499 units.

This increase in supply, combined with a decline in reservations, is leading to a further rise in the stock of available housing. At the end of June, this stock had increased by 1,6% compared to the end of March.

The new tax system is still struggling to produce its effects.

Having come into effect at the end of February with the adoption of the State budget for 2026, the new tax scheme designed to encourage rental investment aims for the construction of 50.000 additional homes per year.

This measure had fueled hopes of recovery for property developers, who had been penalized since mid-2022 by rising interest rates and contracting demand. At this stage, however, it does not appear to have sufficiently stimulated reservations by individuals.

Bulk sales are also declining

Reservations made by institutional investors, who can acquire all or part of a real estate program in bulk, fell by 3,2% in the second quarter, to 13.103 units.

“Reservations by social landlords are decreasing (-6,9% in the second quarter after +7,9% in the previous quarter) while reservations for other buyers are increasing (+16,7% after -18,3%).” details the Data and Statistical Studies Service (SDES).

The statistical service specifies that these results remain provisional and may be revised in future publications.