PROVADA 2026: Housing, healthcare and defence emerge as key themes

Housing, investment capital, healthcare real estate and defence emerged as some of the key themes at PROVADA 2026, as the Netherlands’ largest real estate conference concluded on Thursday.

The three-day event brought together thousands of developers, investors, lenders, advisers, housing associations and public-sector organisations to discuss the challenges facing the Dutch property market and opportunities emerging across a range of sectors. Organisers described it as the busiest PROVADA edition to date

Investment activity featured prominently throughout the conference as market participants pointed to improving transaction volumes and growing investor confidence following a prolonged period of market adjustment.

Research presented by JLL during the event showed Dutch real estate investment volumes reached €4.42bn in the first quarter of 2026, more than double the level recorded a year earlier, while total investment volumes reached €11.29bn in 2025.

Residential remained the largest investment sector as market sentiment continued to improve. Domestic investors accounted for 66% of investment activity in the first quarter, while international investors represented 34%.

International capital and cross-border investment opportunities were also a major focus of this year’s conference. A key addition to the 2026 programme was the first International Investment Day at PROVADA, which was designed to strengthen links between global capital and Dutch real estate opportunities.

Real Asset Media collaborated on the International Investment Day programme. It co-hosted an investment briefing with Sociëteit Vastgoed International, a Dutch real estate leadership and networking organisation, at the Milieu Service Nederland stand.

The briefing brought together investors, developers, advisers and industry leaders to discuss emerging opportunities across the Dutch real estate market, sustainability, healthcare real estate and demographic-driven investment themes.

Speakers included Sven Bertens, head of research and strategy at JLL Netherlands; Sander Verseput of Chainels; Paul Wessels, founder of Blue Module; Marsha Sinninghe of a.s.r. real assets; Michael Hogenboom of CRREM; and Walter Wind of Planon.

The programme also featured a Young Sociëteit discussion involving young professionals and industry leaders including Huib Boissevain, founder of Annexum; Geertjen Pot; Dave de la Fuente-Hjaltadottir; and Marc Poorter of Caute Capital.

Organisers said the initiative was intended to connect international investors more directly with projects and opportunities in the Netherlands through dedicated networking, knowledge-sharing and closer engagement between investors, developers, advisers and government representatives.

The International Investment Day programme reflected growing interest from international investors in the Dutch market and highlighted the importance of cross-border capital flows in supporting future real estate investment and development.

Residential property remained the dominant asset class discussed during the conference, reflecting continued concerns over housing shortages and affordability pressures in the Netherlands.

The future of real estate financing also featured prominently during the event. Participants discussed the role of non-bank lenders, alternative capital providers and changing financing structures as banks become more selective and regulatory requirements continue to evolve.

Organisers said the real estate sector continued to have access to sufficient capital, but that success increasingly depended on combining the right financing structures, partnerships and expertise.

Healthcare and senior housing were also major themes, reflecting growing investor interest in demographic-driven sectors.

A dedicated session examined the challenges of providing appropriate housing, care and affordability for an ageing population. Participants included Raoul Thomassen of Aedifica, Esther Heilmann of Periskop Partners and Anja Dirks of Studio id+, alongside investors, healthcare providers, local authorities and sector specialists. Discussions focused on senior housing, healthcare real estate, investment opportunities and the long-term sustainability of care provision.

Defence also featured prominently during the conference. PROVADA opened on Tuesday with an address by Lieutenant General Dick van Ingen, deputy director-general of policy at the Dutch Ministry of Defence, before a panel discussion examining defence as a catalyst for the Netherlands’ wider real estate challenge.

The discussion focused on land use, accelerating development projects, cooperation between government and private-sector organisations and the impact of geopolitical developments on real estate planning and investment.

The prominence given to defence reflected a broader shift across Europe, where increased military spending is creating demand for industrial facilities, logistics infrastructure, strategic sites and housing.

Claudia L. van Haeften, founder of Sociëteit Vastgoed, said the event reflected the organisation’s focus on knowledge sharing, talent development and collaboration.

“What particularly enthused me was the willingness of so many people to help one another in practical ways. New contacts were made immediately, fresh ideas were shared, potential partnerships explored and new opportunities created. That is the real value of PROVADA.”

As the conference concluded, organisers said the discussions highlighted the growing importance of collaboration across public and private sectors as the industry responds to housing shortages, demographic change, evolving capital markets and geopolitical uncertainty.