The importance of construction in Italian growth
Over the last three years, the construction sector has played a key role in Italy’s economic performance surpassing that of France and Germany. Italy recorded one GDP growth of 14.8%compared to 10.7% in France and 4.8% in Germany. According to ANCE, around a third of this growth is attributable to the construction sector, which has contributed significantly to employment and economic development.
However, the lack of an extension of the measures against the high cost of materials for public works it represents one significant criticality which, without adequate resolution, could slow down the implementation of the works in progress.
Strategic priorities indicated by ANCE
In its analysis, ANCE highlighted four strategic areas on which it deems it urgent to intervene: the housethe safety of territorythe redevelopment of real estate assets and the continuation ofinfrastructural modernization started with the PNRR (National Recovery and Resilience Plan).
According to the association, the maneuver is under discussion does not allocate sufficient resources to these crucial areas, effectively limiting the possibility of resolving issues relevant to the country.
Home: an insufficient signal for the housing plan
Among the measures concerning the housing sector, ANCE criticized the reduction of tax breaks for thepurchasing your first homewhich penalizes young people in particular. The “Italy House Plan”although welcomed as a positive initiative, risks being ineffective without adequate financial allocation.
ANCE proposes a public-private intervention model to respond to housing needs, based on the redevelopment of degraded urban areas and the creation of public housing (e.g. student homes, RSAs, silver houses). This model would make it possible to tackle the housing crisis by guaranteeing homes for large segments of the population.
Territorial security: insufficient funds and lack of prevention
On the subject of territorial securitythe Budget Law provides for a fund of 1,500 million euros for 2027, to be allocated to reconstruction. However, according to ANCE, it is essential to adopt preventive measuresparticularly in light of the recent extreme climatic events that have affected Italy and Europe. Prevention is seen as an essential tool to reduce risks to life and contain the economic damage caused by natural events.
ANCE also has negatively highlighted the cuts of 2.4 billion euros in the next ten years for the contributions intended for the safety of the territory, judging this choice as inadequate compared to the needs of the country.
Redevelopment of real estate: shortcomings in sustainability policies
Another central aspect of the discussion is the energy and structural requalification of buildings. ANCE highlighted the absence of a long-term policy that allows achieving the objectives of decarbonisation and compliance with the European directive on “Green Houses”.
The new tax rates foreseen for renovations, less than 50%they risk encouraging the I work illegallywith negative impacts on the quality of interventions, worker safety and tax revenues. ANCE calls for a review of the rates to ensure adequate and sustainable incentives.
Infrastructure and PNRR: fears over cuts to public investments
The reduction in public investments envisaged by the Budget represents a further concern for ANCE. Cuts totaling around 8.9 billion euros in the period 2025-2034, of which 1.45 billion in the three-year period 2025-2027, they will strike spending programs aimed at public works.
This risks slow down infrastructure modernization started with the PNRR and reduce the ability of local authorities to plan significant investments. Although the Budget Law provides for a 24 billion euro maxi-fund starting from 2027 to finance infrastructure, ANCE fears that a centralized management of resources could prolong implementation times, hindering the relaunch of the sector.
Increased cost of materials: obstacle to the realization of the works
A further critical issue raised by ANCE concerns the high cost of materialswhich remains approximately the 30% above the levels of three-four years ago. Construction companies are facing economic difficulties in carrying out projects at unsustainable costs.
Without an adequate extension of the measures against the high cost of materials, ANCE estimates that more than 10 billion in investments they could be at risk in 2025. The so-called “construction block” could compromise growth forecasts and hinder the progress of projects financed by the PNRR, with negative impacts on the Italian economic system.
