Nearly 9,300 Belgian Construction Companies Closed in 2026
Belgium’s construction industry is facing a major slowdown. Nearly 9,300 construction companies stopped operating during the first six months of 2026, according to new figures from Embuild, Belgium’s construction industry federation.
A total of 9,270 construction businesses closed or stopped their activities between January and June. More than 1,500 of these cases were bankruptcies.
At the same time, only 7,545 new construction companies were created. That means Belgium lost 1,725 construction companies on a net basis in just six months.
Construction Company Closures Rise Sharply
The number of companies leaving the construction sector was almost 15% higher than during the same period in 2025.
Embuild described the decline as unprecedented and warned that the situation is becoming increasingly serious for the industry.
Niko Demeester, CEO of Embuild, said the sharp drop could make it harder for Belgium to meet its housing, renovation and infrastructure needs.
The construction industry has already faced several difficult years, particularly in home building and renovation. Higher costs and weak demand have put pressure on many smaller businesses.
Housing Construction Under Pressure
The latest figures come as Belgium continues to face strong demand for new homes and renovations.
At the same time, high construction costs and other economic pressures have made it harder for companies to remain profitable.
Embuild says the decline in construction businesses could become a problem beyond the industry itself.
If fewer companies are available to build and renovate homes, Belgium could have a harder time increasing its housing supply and completing major infrastructure projects.
Embuild Calls for Government Action
Embuild is asking the federal government to take stronger action to support construction and housing.
One of its main proposals is a lower VAT rate for certain housing projects.
The federation says a reduced VAT rate is needed for people building or buying their only and primary home, as well as for homes that are rented out for at least 15 years, subject to limits on the size of the property.
Embuild also wants more investment in infrastructure, particularly projects linked to defense and justice.
What the Numbers Mean for Belgium?
The loss of 1,725 construction companies in just six months is an important warning for Belgium’s housing market.
The country needs new homes, renovations and infrastructure, but the companies needed to deliver those projects are becoming fewer.
The coming months will show whether government measures can help stabilize the construction sector or whether more businesses will leave the industry.
