Duration

8 – 24 weeks

Paperwork Mountain

Drawings Required

40%

Permit Headache

TIPS

• The permitting process is a bureaucratic procedure that varies according to the city and district. It is generally divided into two processes: notice and work permit. The first is a quick online submission and the second is more complex as it requires the supervision of a municipal manager who is in charge of finalising the details of the documentation before it is presented.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Depending on the type of intervention, historical value and scale of the work, the process may require additional documentation to present and / or be subject to a review by a special commission to obtain its approval.
• In most cases the initial presentation is online and once the procedure is approved, a municipal inspector visits the site at different stages to verify the project.
• Whoever requests the permit must have a license that allows them to work in the city and municipality where the project is located.

Any questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us.

The previous info is intended as broad guidance – every site varies. Contact Matías for tailored permitting advice relating to Argentina.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Changes to the building shell require proof of energy efficiency.
• The operational permit is a separate process and part of the building permit

Any questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us.

The previous info is intended as broad guidance – every site varies. Contact Leo for tailored permitting advice relating to Austria.

Duration

6 – 16 weeks

Paperwork Mountain

Drawings Required

75%

Permit Headache

TIPS

• Building in the centre of Brussels can be complicated by events around the European Parliament and other EU political activity.

DID YOU KNOW?

• For projects outside Brussels and in the Flemish region, the building permit and the environmental permit are integrated into one ‘single environmental permit’.
• A health and safety coordinator should be appointed by the client to monitor and manage health and safety risks during the entire project.
• Out of all the EU countries, we’ve found that Belgium is the most “”relaxed”” country in terms of permit obtention for retail units.
• Land use planning and town planning regulations are relatively complex and are subject to regular modifications. Each region also has its own codes and regulations:
  • Brussels
  • Wallonia region
  • Flemish region

Any questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us.

The previous info is intended as broad guidance – every site varies. Contact Remi for tailored permitting advice relating to Belgium.

Duration

2 – 8 weeks

Paperwork Mountain

Drawings Required

75%

Permit Headache

TIPS

• Only submit documents as required. Providing extra documentation can sometimes backfire, as this will take longer for the municipality to analyse and check against all legislations/regulations.
• Make sure to call and follow up on your permitting request (this will help to speed up the approval process).
• Submit all necessary information together and avoid sending the project in parts as this will help to ensure that everything is reviewed and approved at once.

Any questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us.

The previous info is intended as broad guidance – every site varies. Contact Eva for tailored permitting advice relating to Brazil.

Duration

12 – 16 weeks

Paperwork Mountain

Drawings Required

40%

Permit Headache

TIPS

• When a permit application is submitted with a favourable report from an independent reviewer, approval times are significantly reduced (up to 50%). In many cases, an Independent Reviewer is required by law when the occupancy of a space is over 100 people. These consultants help to lighten the burden on municipalities, and we recommend involving them in the early stages of a project.

DID YOU KNOW?

• If a project is categorised as a public space or has an occupancy of more than 100 people, the appointment of a Technical Construction Inspector (ITO) is required for construction supervision.
• When submitting permit applications for a project, universal accessibility analysis must be attached.
• As of October 2020, the new law on contributions to public space must be considered for all real estate projects.

Any questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us.

The previous info is intended as broad guidance – every site varies. Contact Matías for tailored permitting advice relating to Chile.

Duration

7 – 12 weeks

Paperwork Mountain

Drawings Required

50%

Permit Headache

TIPS

• There exist offices, working on behalf of the government, who are in charge of the planning approval process. This process can sometimes be a bit confusing so it’s advisable to hire someone who can help with the application.

DID YOU KNOW?

• For interiors, planning approval is managed by the landlords.
• For a planning application you need a document called The Certificate of Tradition and Freedom of Properties. This is a public document that contains information on the legal history of a particular property, from the moment it was registered in the Public Instruments Registry Office.

Any questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us.

The previous info is intended as broad guidance – every site varies. Contact Matías for tailored permitting advice relating to Colombia.

Duration

8 – 21 weeks

Paperwork Mountain

Drawings Required

40%

Permit Headache

TIPS

• The building permit system in the Czech Republic consists of two steps – planning consent and building control consent. You will need the planning consent only if you want to construct a new building or change the use of an existing building.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Similar to Germany, local architects and engineers need to be appointed to sign the application.
• It is the applicant’s responsibility to obtain statements from statutory consultees – including utility providers.
• Although applications are public, most authorities do not have websites where you can view them online.
• Applications need to be submitted in hard copy and usually in eight copies.

Any questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us.

The previous info is intended as broad guidance – every site varies. Contact Jan for tailored permitting advice relating to Czech Republic.

Duration

8 – 16 weeks

Paperwork Mountain

Drawings Required

80%

Permit Headache

TIPS

• The technical phase of the permit process can be self-certified if a suitably qualified architect is used.  

DID YOU KNOW?

• As in the UK, any pre-application advice given is not binding. The local authority may change their opinion once a full application is submitted however, this is rare.
• Legislation does allow for dispensation from building regulations in some cases.
• Exceptionally, the authorities may allow a start prior to the granting of a full building permit.
• There is no minimum process time set by the authorities to deal with and grant a building permit.

Any questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us.

The previous info is intended as broad guidance – every site varies. Contact Tony for tailored permitting advice relating to Denmark.

Duration

8 – 14 weeks

Paperwork Mountain

Drawings Required

65%

Permit Headache

Tips

• Making provisions for a party wall survey, approved heritage consultant and quantity surveyor may save some precious time and headaches.

Did you know?

• Where a new external plant is proposed, a noise survey and acoustic design submission may be required.
• For historic buildings, works in conservation areas, or significant development sites, the city planning authority may expect a pre-application meeting. This can add one month to the overall permitting period.
• It can be a criminal offence to undertake unapproved works on a listed building.
• Separate agreements are required for party walls where the site shares boundary walls or structures with neighbours.

Any questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us.

The previous info is intended as broad guidance – every site varies. Contact Alan for tailored permitting advice relating to England.

Duration

8 – 16 weeks

Paperwork Mountain

Drawings Required

75%

Permit Headache

Tips

• There is a one-month appeal period after granting of a permit where third party objections can be raised.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Environmental Impact Statements can be granted in parallel with the Building Permit.
• Piling and foundations may be permitted prior to the full permit being granted.
• Final inspections must be carried out by the authorities and self-certifying by professionals is not permissible.

Any questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us.

The previous info is intended as broad guidance – every site varies. Contact Tony for tailored permitting advice relating to Finland.

Duration

6 – 12 weeks

Paperwork Mountain

Drawings Required

65%

Permit Headache

TIPS

• Consultants fees for health & safety, fire security and building control need to be taken into account. Construction cost is typically higher compared to Southern European countries.
• Take into account construction sector holidays.
• Consider whether or not a building is located in a conservation area as this may affect application times.
• Take into account that a signed agreement is required for works on a co-owned property.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Submissions are required from a local architect and relevant specialist consultants.
• The overall approval period is not usually any shorter for mall locations however, malls only require a fit-out permit which usually takes up to 16 weeks for approval.
• In Paris, there is the possibility of a Déclaration Préalable (DP) with a reduced duration of 4 weeks. This can extend to 8 weeks if the Architecte des Bâtiments de France (ABF) are involved.
• A permit is also required for any signage that features on the façade of a building and this can take up to 8 weeks to be approved. The dimensions and colours permitted differ for city to city and in some cases, from street to street. Therefore, it’s important for architects to check local requirements.
• As of January 2021, you can now submit Permis de Construire (PC), DP and signage permits via the internet which is much better for the environment and also saves on time.

Any questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us.

The previous info is intended as broad guidance – every site varies. Contact Carole for tailored permitting advice relating to France.

Duration

14 – 24 weeks

Paperwork Mountain

Drawings Required

75%

Permit Headache

Tips

• The same scale of fees apply throughout Germany and are calculated based on scope, complexity and volume of development. As a rule of thumb, fees are 0.35% of applicable construction costs.

Did you know?

• Locally registered consultants must be appointed to provide information and an architect must stamp and sign the application.
• Changes to the building shell require proof of the energy efficiency.
• For heritage locations in cities, all advertising (signage) must be agreed with heritage/town planning officers.
• The workspace authority and fire department are independent from the local authority and can impose additional checks at any time.

Any questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us.

The previous info is intended as broad guidance – every site varies. Contact Olaf for tailored permitting advice relating to Germany.

Duration

8 – 14 weeks

Paperwork Mountain

Drawings Required

75%

Permit Headache

Tips

• Early engagement with the planning authorities can provide clear direction for a project.

DID YOU KNOW?

• To start works on site you must have a Final Grant of Planning Permission along with a granted Fire Safety Certificate.
• The client must appoint an Assigned Certifier to undertake the building control assessment, they must be registered on the Building Control Management System (BCMS). The Assigned Certifier must be a Chartered Engineer, Architect or QS registered with a professional body in Ireland (i.e. RIAI, IEI).
• A commencement notice must be submitted by the Assigned Certifier between 14 and 28 days prior to works starting on site.
• The project needs to be registered on the Building Register before it can legally open to the public and this can take up to three weeks after practical completion.
• The client must appoint a Project Supervisor Design Process (PSDP) to oversee the coordination of the design work from a health and safety point of view.
• All buildings require a BER assessments prior to starting onsite.

Any questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us.

The previous info is intended as broad guidance – every site varies. Contact Michael for tailored permitting advice relating to Ireland.

Duration

12 – 24 weeks

Paperwork Mountain

Drawings Required

75%

Permit Headache

TIPS

• Any historic location in a city centre will add extra cost in terms of logistics. It is expensive to pay for occupying the public space, and advertising is also taxed.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Due to recent earthquakes, the Seismic Safety Act has been updated meaning that seismic calculations may be required for structural alterations.
• Noise emission calculations may be required.
• The application period for listed buildings is approx. 90 days.
• In the city of Rome, an additional permit to the Local Historical Heritage authority (Sovrintendenza Capitolina) must be obtained. The application period is 60 days
• Standard external signages permits take 30 days, 90 days in the case of listed building or in a listed area.

Any questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us.

The previous info is intended as broad guidance – every site varies. Contact Giacomo for tailored permitting advice relating to Italy

Duration

12 – 16 weeks

Paperwork Mountain

Drawings Required

50%

Permit Headache

TIPS

• Expeditors can help to speed up the permitting process (although this involves an additional cost for the client).
• Although construction permits are not required when working on an interior, notice must be given to the local government delegation through Article 62, confirming what kind of work will be carried out and that all workers are enrolled in the social security system.

DID YOU KNOW?

• For interiors, engineering plans are often required by the landlord, and this can take up to several weeks to review and authorise.
• If the structure of a building is proposed to be modified, or the building is required to carry heavier loads than can be supported by the existing structure, a structural engineer must be appointed.
• Local government delegations can carry out civil protection inspections at any time and stop work if civil protection is not complied with.

Any questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us.

The previous info is intended as broad guidance – every site varies. Contact Jimena for tailored permitting advice relating to Mexico.

Duration

4 – 24 weeks

Paperwork Mountain

Drawings Required

75%

Permit Headache

TIPS

• Despite almost a third of the Netherlands being situated below sea level, it can be really difficult to obtain approval for a connection to the public water system.
• Applications for new buildings will often be checked by the Welstand – a committee comprising architects and urban designers appointed by the municipality to assess the aesthetic value of the design.  It’s normal (and expected) for discussions with the Welstand to start far in advance of the submission of an application.

DID YOU KNOW?

• For mall stores where there are no changes to function, fire safety, structure or shopfront, landlord approval can usually be obtained in 4 to 8 weeks.
• A separate consultant is needed for fire prevention and extinction and a separate inspection from the fire authority is required.

Any questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us.

The previous info is intended as broad guidance – every site varies. Contact Alan for tailored permitting advice relating to Netherlands.

Duration

8 – 14 weeks

Paperwork Mountain

Drawings Required

75%

Permit Headache

TIPS

• Whilst making provisions for a party wall survey, appointing an approved heritage consultant and quantity surveyor may save some precious time and headaches.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Where a new external M&E plant is proposed, a noise survey and acoustic design submission may be required.
• For historic buildings, works in conservation areas, or significant development sites, the city planning authority may expect a pre-application meeting. This can add one month to the overall permitting period.
• It can be a criminal offence to undertake unapproved works on a listed building.
• Separate agreements are required for party walls where the site shares boundary walls or structures with neighbours.

Any questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us.

The previous info is intended as broad guidance – every site varies. Contact Georgina for tailored permitting advice relating to Northern Ireland.

Duration

8 – 16 weeks

Paperwork Mountain

Drawings Required

75%

Permit Headache

TIPS

• Natural daylighting requirements are less stringent than elsewhere in Europe. This isn’t surprising given that part of the country is in permanent twilight for some of the year!

DID YOU KNOW?

• Be sure to check whether a building is within a seismic zone as this will have a significant impact on the complexity and timescales for approval.
• Insulation requirements are more onerous in Norway then elsewhere in Europe.

Any questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us.

The previous info is intended as broad guidance – every site varies. Contact Tony for tailored permitting advice relating to Norway.

Duration

14 – 16 weeks

Paperwork Mountain

Drawings Required

100%

Permit Headache

Tips

• It’s important to be aware that there are procedures for each city and district. They are pretty similar but the most common is Review by Commission. There is also a new system in some districts led by Urban Inspectors. All reviews and licences incur a cost.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Official inspectors are always required, and they are assigned by the local government.
• License requirements are published in TUPA (a document that contains all information relating to the handling of procedures for each district and type of project).
• You are only entitled to make two revisions to a project once it has been submitted for review. As there is little room for error, it is common to have to make two or three resubmissions until the process is complete and each submission incurs an additional cost.

Any questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us.

The previous info is intended as broad guidance – every site varies. Contact Matías for tailored permitting advice relating to Peru

Duration

9 – 12 weeks

Paperwork Mountain

Drawings Required

40%

Permit Headache

TIPS

• As in the UK, there are two separate permit processes in Poland, planning approval and technical building approval.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Works cannot start on site prior to a permit being in place and a building cannot generally be taken into public use without being authorised by the local authority.

Any questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us.

The previous info is intended as broad guidance – every site varies. Contact Tony for tailored permitting advice relating to Tony.

Duration

8 – 16 weeks

Paperwork Mountain

Drawings Required

75%

Permit Headache

TIPS

• Signage can be considered as ‘advertising’ and as such, annual advertising tax needs to be paid to the municipality.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Historically, Portugal has been hit by many dramatic fires so fire fighting is an extremely sensitive issue. It is mandatory to gain approval from the National Association of Protection Against Fire (ANPC). The usually lengthy permit process can be expedited if a separate application is handed over to the ANPC in parallel to permit application.

Any questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us.

The previous info is intended as broad guidance – every site varies. Contact Eva for tailored permitting advice relating to Portugal.

Duration

10 – 16 weeks

Paperwork Mountain

Drawings Required

65%

Permit Headache

TIPS

• Whereas in the rest of the UK building control approval is not required prior to a start on site, in Scotland, a warrant is required before a start on site is permitted.

DID YOU KNOW?

• The Scottish procedure for listed building consent is similar to that in the rest of the UK.
• For historic buildings, works in conservation areas, or significant development sites, the city planning authority may expect a pre-application meeting. This can add one month to the overall permitting period.
• It can be a criminal offence to undertake unapproved works on a listed building.
• Separate agreements are required for party walls where the site shares boundary walls or structures with neighbours.

Any questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us.

The previous info is intended as broad guidance – every site varies. Contact Alan for tailored permitting advice relating to Scotland.

Duration

4 – 12 weeks

Paperwork Mountain

Drawings Required

75%

Permit Headache

TIPS

• Building tax (ICIO) varies between 3.5 – 4.0% of construction cost. This additional tax on construction is unique in Europe and is relevant for cost planning and budget certainty. It does not replace permit fees and should be added in full to project costs.

DID YOU KNOW?

• In Barcelona, a separate application is needed for hoarding design with emphasis on ‘urban landscaping’. A tax is levied on advertising.
• The permit applicant must submit proof that they are the legal entity behind the application and provide proof of the payment of taxes and fees.
• Any general contractor working in Spain for more than eight days needs to be registered in the REA.

Any questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us.

The previous info is intended as broad guidance – every site varies. Contact Eva for tailored permitting advice relating to Spain.

Duration

8 – 16 weeks

Paperwork Mountain

Drawings Required

100%

Permit Headache

Tips

• Be sure to check whether a building is within a seismic zone as this will have a significant impact on the complexity and timescale needed for approval.

DID YOU KNOW?

• In a similar way to Ireland, architects can self-certify the construction phases of the works.
• There are no statutory maximum periods for the determination of the permit process.
• A full permit needs to be in place and notification of a start on site must be made to the authorities before works can begin.

Any questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us.

The previous info is intended as broad guidance – every site varies. Contact Tony for tailored permitting advice relating to Sweden.

Duration

12 – 20 weeks

Paperwork Mountain

Drawings Required

70%

Permit Headache

TIPS

• Building Code varies between cantons therefore it’s important to check that the correct version of the regulations is being followed.

DID YOU KNOW?

• In some regions, applications for signage will need to be granted in conjunction with agreed local taxation for the right to display.
• Cooling power allowances are very stringent in Geneva where in some locations, air conditioning systems must make use of water cooled by Lake Geneva.

Any questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us.

The previous info is intended as broad guidance – every site varies. Contact Wayne for tailored permitting advice relating to Switzerland.

Duration

8 – 14 weeks

Paperwork Mountain

Drawings Required

75%

Permit Headache

TIPS

• There may be a requirement that public signage and notices are bilingual in English and Welsh.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Where a new external plant is proposed, a noise survey and acoustic design submission may be required.
• For historic buildings, works in conservation areas, or significant development sites, the city planning authority may expect a pre-application meeting. This can add one month to the overall permitting period.
• It can be a criminal offence to undertake unapproved works on a listed building.
• Separate agreements are required for party walls where the site shares boundary walls or structures with neighbours.

Any questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us.

The previous info is intended as broad guidance – every site varies. Contact Alan for tailored permitting advice relating to Wales.