LUXEMBOURG / RankWire.AI / – European Union property values experienced a 4.7% increase in the second quarter of 2026 compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, rental costs grew by 3.0%, maintaining their upward momentum across the bloc. Eurostat indicated that house prices also advanced by 1.2% from the first quarter, with rents climbing 0.7%. These figures suggest that housing expenses continued their steady rise throughout much of the EU during this period.
In the euro area, the pace of house price growth was somewhat slower than the broader EU figure in the second quarter. Prices rose 4.0% year-over-year and 1.1% from the previous quarter. The annual increase also decelerated from 4.6% in the first quarter of 2026 within the euro zone. Overall, the EU’s annual house price growth eased from 5.1% in Q1 to 4.7% in Q2.
Data by country reveals widespread annual gains, though there was considerable variation among member states. Out of the countries with available data, 23 experienced increases in house prices, while three saw declines. Portugal led the gains with a 16.5% rise, trailed by Bulgaria at 15.5%, and Lithuania at 14.3%. Conversely, prices dropped 2.7% in Finland, 2.2% in Luxembourg, and 0.8% in France.
Broad quarterly growth persists across EU real estate markets
The latest quarterly data shows price increases across most EU nations during April to June. Out of the countries with available figures, 24 recorded price rises while only two experienced declines. Lithuania posted the strongest quarterly increase at 5.0%, with Bulgaria at 4.5% and Romania at 4.4%. Hungary’s prices fell by 1.4%, and in France, house prices declined 0.8% from the previous quarter.
Additionally, a comparison with the 2025 annual average shows housing costs continued to climb in the EU. In the second quarter of 2026, house prices were 4.1% higher, and rents increased by 2.6%. Bulgaria again stood out with a 14.3% rise in house prices, followed by Portugal at 14.2% and Lithuania at 12.8%. Finland and France experienced declines of 1.5% and 1.4%, respectively.
Rental rates are rising in every EU nation
When comparing the second quarter to the 2025 annual average, rent prices increased across all EU countries. Romania saw the most significant growth at 41.2%, with Croatia at 22.1% and Slovenia at 10.2%. Estonia and Finland recorded minimal increases of 0.1% each, while Luxembourg’s rents rose 1.2%. These variations underline the diverse trends in rental markets across member states.
Eurostat utilizes the House Price Index to monitor price changes for residential properties purchased by households, including new and existing homes. The index encompasses flats, detached, and terraced houses regardless of ownership history or intended use. Since the first quarter of 2024, EU house prices have experienced consecutive quarterly increases. The upcoming release, covering Q3 of 2026, is scheduled for January 11, 2027.