The latest figures
On 9 October, Istat published building-permit data for the second quarter of 2026. After seasonal adjustment, the number of homes in new residential buildings rose 3.8% from the previous quarter; usable floor area increased 1.4%.
Compared with Q2 2025, the number of permitted homes was up 8.0% and usable floor area rose 7.3%. Istat estimated 13,246 homes in new residential buildings for the quarter.
A recovery to treat cautiously
Istat notes that the quarterly improvement was not enough to make up for the declines recorded in the previous quarter. The signal is positive, but it does not by itself show that new homebuilding has entered a sustained growth phase.
A permit authorises a project; it does not prove that construction has begun, that a building has been completed, or that homes are already for sale. For buyers, it is a forward-looking indicator, not a measure of ready-to-occupy supply.
What the statistic measures
The survey covers new buildings and extensions that add volume to existing buildings. Istat’s methodology excludes renovations without added volume, subdivisions, changes of use and building-amnesty applications.
These figures therefore do not capture all construction activity or show how many existing homes have been refurbished. That distinction matters in markets where some potential supply comes from upgrading the existing housing stock.
What it means for buyers
The figure is national and cannot establish whether a particular town or area, in Puglia or elsewhere, is adding enough homes. To assess a location, buyers should combine it with local information on construction progress, delivery times, transactions and properties actually available.
For anyone comparing a new build with a renovation project, a permit does not settle the final-cost or timing question. Assess the price, condition, required works and project documentation separately, with professional advice before making commitments.