The international trade fair for property, investment and infrastructure, EXPO REAL, will take place from 5 to 7 October 2026 in Munich. A central theme of the event remains the strained situation in the housing market. The fair is dedicating a special exhibition to this challenge and is also planning numerous lectures and discussion forums to present expert solutions.
According to Claudia Boymanns, Exhibition Director of EXPO REAL, the creation of more housing is an essential prerequisite for economic growth and Germany's attractiveness as a business location. She emphasises the necessity of cooperation between the housing industry, investors and policymakers, as reliable framework conditions for investments and new construction are crucial. EXPO REAL serves as a platform to bring these stakeholders together and to discuss concrete strategies and creative approaches with the aim of realising new housing faster and promoting investment.
Flexible Housing and Political Framework Conditions
The forum 'Flexible Housing – Opportunities Next Door' will be the main meeting point for the housing industry at the fair. The focus will be on pragmatic solutions, including the conversion of commercial properties into residential space, the creation of municipal and state incentives for new construction, and the evaluation of potential through simplified building standards. Accompanying the forum, an exhibition on affordable, resource-efficient and sustainable housing will be presented. The conference programme will address current housing policy and economic issues and offer high-calibre discussion rounds on these topics.
An example of this is the discussion on 5 October from 16:00 to 16:50 in the 'Discussion and Networking Forum', where Federal Minister for Housing, Verena Hubertz, will discuss the prospects for new residential construction under current economic conditions in the panel 'Future of New Construction in Germany – Reality, Capital and Feasibility'. Further discussion points at EXPO REAL include the planned reform of tenancy law, for which Federal Minister of Justice Stefanie Hubig submitted a draft bill in February, as well as plans for the socialisation of housing stock in Berlin. Economists and market experts will analyse these developments and shed light on possible opportunities, obstacles and perspectives for residential construction.
Significance of Residential Properties in the EXPO REAL Trend Index
The relevance of housing for the property industry is underscored by the current EXPO REAL Trend Index. This annual survey, conducted by the opinion research institute IfaD on behalf of Messe München, shows that EXPO REAL exhibitors and visitors consider residential properties with 67 per cent to be the most important asset class for investment decisions. A majority of around 74 per cent also predict that residential properties will gain greater significance than all other asset classes in the coming years. Regarding the creation of affordable housing, respondents identify the reduction of construction costs and the abolition of costly building standards as key factors.
Ms Boymanns explains that the results of the Trend Index signal a clear need for action from the industry in the housing sector. It is now crucial to create the conditions for investment readiness to actually lead to the creation of new housing. EXPO REAL brings together the key players in the housing industry, from project developers to investors and municipalities, as well as policymakers, around one table for this purpose. This exchange is to be promoted, which constitutes the special value of the fair.
