Real Estate Law · European Union
Get Planning Permission Right the First Time
Whether you’re extending a home, converting a building or bringing forward a larger scheme, permission depends on a local framework most people only meet once. We match you, free of charge, with a vetted lawyer who handles planning applications and appeals in your target European country, so your proposal is put forward correctly from the start.
- 155+ legal services, 14 practice areas
- Lawyers across the EU & EEA
- No fee to get matched
No commitment. No hidden fees.
Get matched with a lawyer
Tell us about your situation and receive a free, confidential case review.
Who this is for
Planning permission is a local decision, and local rules decide whether you build
Planning permission is the approval you generally need from a local or regional authority before you can carry out certain building works, change a building’s use, or develop land. What requires permission — and what is allowed without it — depends on national planning law and the detailed local plans that interpret it, so a conversion or extension that is routine in one municipality can be refused in the next. Homeowners adding an extension, landlords converting premises, and developers bringing forward residential or commercial schemes all face the same underlying process: an application, a public or neighbour consultation, and a decision that can be challenged within strict time limits. Getting the proposal, the supporting documents and the timing right matters, because a refused application often has to wait before it can be resubmitted, and an approval granted on the wrong basis can be fragile later.
Why applications go wrong
Planning refusals are usually avoidable.
They happen when the wrong application meets the wrong process.
Each authority applies its own policies, formats and deadlines — and a technical slip can cost you a full cycle.
Not knowing what needs permission
Some works need full permission, others are permitted, and some changes of use sit in a grey area. Assuming you don’t need approval can leave you facing an enforcement notice and an order to undo work already carried out.
A refused or delayed application
Refusals are often grounded in policy details that a well-prepared application would have addressed. A refusal can also reset your timeline, and the appeal window is typically short and strict.
Objections and third parties
Neighbours, local groups and other parties can object during consultation, and their representations can shape the outcome. Responding properly — and knowing which objections carry legal weight — is part of winning permission.
What you get
A planning lawyer who knows the local framework
We only match you with lawyers who handle planning applications and appeals in your target country regularly.
Whether permission is needed
Your lawyer confirms what your proposal actually requires — full permission, a permitted route, or a change of use — before you spend money on drawings or fees you may not need.
A stronger application
Get a proposal framed around the policies the authority actually applies, with the right supporting documents, so your case is put forward in the strongest, most complete form first time.
Objections handled
If neighbours or third parties object, your lawyer assesses which points carry legal weight, prepares a considered response, and represents your position through the consultation.
Appeals & enforcement
Refused or facing an enforcement notice? Your lawyer reviews the decision, advises on the strict appeal deadlines, and represents you before the relevant body to defend your position.
Coverage
Planning permission lawyers across Europe
Planning law is national and highly local, so the right lawyer works with the authorities in your specific country and region. We match cases across the following countries and beyond:
Frequently asked
Planning permission — common questions
Do I always need planning permission for building work?
Not always. Some minor works and certain changes are allowed without a full application, depending on the country and the specific local plan. The rules vary significantly, so you should not assume either way — a lawyer or the local authority can confirm what your particular proposal requires.
How long does a planning application take?
Timescales vary by country and by the complexity of the proposal, typically from several weeks to several months. Consultation periods, requests for further information and the authority’s workload all influence the timeline, and a complete, well-prepared application tends to move more smoothly.
What can I do if my application is refused?
In most countries you have a right to appeal the refusal, but only within a strict deadline that is often short. A planning lawyer can review the refusal reasons, advise whether an appeal or a revised application is the better route, and represent you through the process.
Can neighbours block my planning permission?
Neighbours and other parties can usually comment on or object to an application during consultation, and their views are considered by the authority. However, an objection only carries weight if it raises a valid planning ground. A lawyer can help you respond to objections effectively.
What happens if I build without permission?
Carrying out work that required permission without obtaining it can lead to an enforcement notice, and in some cases an order to undo the work. If you have already built without approval, seek advice promptly — there may be retrospective or remedial options available.
Can a lawyer help with a large development scheme?
Yes. Larger residential and commercial schemes involve more complex policy considerations, environmental and infrastructure factors, and often agreements with the authority. A planning lawyer can guide the application, negotiate conditions and represent you through any challenge.
Free case review
Put your application in the strongest possible hands
Tell us what you want to build and where, and we’ll connect you with a planning permission lawyer who works with the local authorities there every day — free of charge, with no obligation to hire.