European Union: Construction & Planning

A fire strategy is typically established at an early stage of a construction project, but its underlying assumptions are tested only once the relevant solutions are finally designed and implemented.

Belgium's House of Representatives has definitively approved Book 7 of the Civil Code, introducing significant reforms to construction contract legislation that will enter into force in September 2027. The final legislation includes several important refinements to the February 2025 proposal, including changes to pre-existing circumstances tests, conformity defect notification rules, and limitation periods. Businesses concluding construction contracts must carefully review and revise their existing contract

The Maltese Government has issued a tender for consultancy services to develop a Master Plan for potential land reclamation at Bengħajsa in southern Malta. This procurement may represent the preliminary phase of a major infrastructure project that could expand port capacity, create industrial zones, and accommodate energy infrastructure, with implications for international marine engineering contractors and infrastructure developers.

A recent Dutch court ruling clarifies when assessment aspects of a phased environmental permit (BOPA) can be deferred to later permit stages. The case examines whether parking requirements for a residential conversion project could be evaluated separately from the initial use permit, establishing important precedents for flexible permit procedures.

Dagbod er et centralt redskab til at håndtere entreprenørens ansvarspådragende forsinkelse i byggerier.

Belgium's new Book 7 of the Civil Code introduces fundamental changes to real estate and construction law, reshaping risk allocation, conformity standards, and contractual relationships. With implementation set for September 2027, property developers, contractors, and real estate professionals face critical decisions about updating their standard documentation and contractual frameworks.

The Court of Justice of the European Union has ruled that appropriate assessments of plans or projects affecting special protection areas cannot be validly conducted without pre-established site-specific conservation objectives. This landmark judgment addresses whether conservation objectives are a prerequisite for environmental impact assessments under the Habitats Directive, with significant implications for development consent procedures across the EU.

Real estate transactions in Finland present unique legal requirements that distinguish them from other jurisdictions. From mandatory notary presence and formal execution procedures to permit requirements for non-EU buyers and complex pre-emption rights held by municipalities and the State, navigating Finnish property law demands careful attention to procedural details and strategic timing.

The purchase of newly constructed or off-plan properties without a separate title deed has long been a common feature of the Cyprus real estate market. Although this practice is widely adopted in property transactions, it understandably creates a degree of uncertainty for buyers, as the completion of the transaction and the full vesting of their ownership rights are contingent upon the issuance and transfer of a separate title deed into their name.