Is new-build supply becoming more dependable when planning a move? Permits and construction starts describe the market. Whether a particular apartment can be delivered when you need it depends on its project documents and construction progress.
Update, 29 September: the latest data cover August
In its 29 September release, SDES reports 29,749 housing units authorised in France in August, 1.1% fewer than in July after seasonal and working-day adjustment (CVS-CJO). From September 2025 to August 2026, 369,723 homes were authorised, 9.7% below the average for the preceding five years. SDES also reports that the average monthly authorisation level for the first eight months of 2026 equals the average for the whole of 2025.
These are national figures (France excluding Mayotte), not results for PACA, a town or a developer. SDES also notes that Sitadel3 replaced Sitadel2 from March 2026 and that published series were revised slightly. The July figures below are therefore retained as the snapshot from the earlier release, published on 28 August; they should not be mixed uncritically with the updated series. The new release now describes July authorisations as stable compared with June.
What the previous release reported for July
The SDES release of 28 August, covering July 2026, reported 29,577 homes authorised (−2.5% from June) and an estimated 27,677 starts (+8.9%). These are different project stages: they cannot be added together or treated as apartment sales. A later release slightly revised the series and now describes July authorisations as stable compared with June.
That earlier release reported 370,673 authorisations from August 2025 to July 2026, 9.5% below the average for the preceding five years. This figure belongs to the earlier release and period. The new rolling period, September 2025–August 2026, records 369,723 homes and is 9.7% below its own five-year average. The difference between these percentages is not a standalone measure of market movement: the period shifted and the data were revised.
What is known about Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (PACA)?
A national percentage cannot establish the regional result. PACA stands for Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, the region that includes the French Riviera. For this region, consult the current INSEE regional dashboard, checking its period, revision date and housing category.
The national July figures published on 28 August (−2.5% for authorisations and +8.9% for estimated starts) do not automatically describe PACA, a town or a development. The 29 September release slightly revised the series and now describes July authorisations as stable compared with June. Buyers should check the chosen project’s permit, physical progress and contractual handover date.
Where statistical noise enters
A permit can be amended, cancelled or implemented later. Starts also rely on administrative information received with delays. SDES notes that Sitadel3 replaced Sitadel2 from March 2026 and that the figures were revised.
Our practical reading is that permits and actual construction can recover at different speeds. A trend assessment needs successive observations with matching geography, periods and housing types. Timing alone is insufficient to attribute the whole movement to a tax reform.
Applying this to a VEFA purchase
VEFA is a purchase before construction is complete. Regional indicators should be supplemented by evidence about the specific development:
- the building permit and the position regarding challenge periods;
- the developer’s land rights and financial completion guarantee;
- the contractual handover date, permitted delays and payment schedule;
- the specification, plans, areas and included finishes;
- the actual construction stage and regular project reports.
Your decision depends on the chosen development’s timetable. If you need to move on a fixed date, compare it with contractual handover and allow time and money for a possible delay. Rising regional permit numbers do not, by themselves, reduce that allowance.
The indicators cover different periods and may be revised. They do not guarantee delivery, price or a developer’s financial resilience.
Check the developer’s timetable and commitments
To plan a move, establish the contractual handover date, permitted delays and the time to allow if delivery slips. Use the VEFA buying guide to check the financial guarantee, payment schedule and handover so you can compare the developer’s commitments with your calendar.
Have you chosen a development? Send the link and your intended moving date. In conversation with IMMO BTC, we can identify confirmed dates and the documents to request from the developer and notary; a complete file is not needed beforehand.
Sources and verification date
Updated and rechecked on 3 October 2026. The original IMMO BTC publication date is preserved; each figure’s period and geography are stated in the article.
