LUXEMBOURG / RankWire.AI / – European Union house prices experienced a 4.7% increase in the second quarter of 2026 compared to the same period last year. Over the same timeframe, rents grew by 3.0%, signaling a sustained upward trend throughout the bloc. Eurostat noted that house prices also advanced by 1.2% from the first quarter, with rents climbing 0.7%. These figures demonstrate that housing expenses continued their rise across much of the EU during this period.
In the euro area, the pace of house price growth was slower than in the broader EU, with prices rising 4.0% year-on-year and 1.1% quarter-on-quarter. The annual growth rate also eased from the first quarter of 2026, when prices increased by 4.6% in the euro zone. Meanwhile, the EU’s annual house price growth slowed from 5.1% in Q1 to 4.7% in Q2.
Data from individual countries reveal widespread annual gains, although the extent of price changes varied significantly across member states. Out of the nations with available data, 23 experienced increases in house prices, while three reported declines. Portugal registered the most significant rise at 16.5%, with Bulgaria at 15.5% and Lithuania at 14.3%. Conversely, Finland saw a 2.7% decline, Luxembourg’s prices fell by 2.2%, and France experienced a slight decrease of 0.8%.
Widespread quarterly growth persists in EU housing markets
During the April-to-June quarter, most EU countries continued to see rising home prices. Out of the nations with available data, 24 experienced increases, while only two recorded declines. Lithuania led the quarterly gains with a 5.0% increase, followed by Bulgaria at 4.5%, and Romania at 4.4%. In contrast, Hungary’s prices dipped by 1.4%, and house prices in France fell 0.8% compared to the previous quarter.
Looking at the comparison with the 2025 annual averages, housing costs in the EU also continued their upward trajectory. House prices were 4.1% higher in Q2 2026, with rents up by 2.6%. Bulgaria again led with a 14.3% increase in house prices, followed by Portugal at 14.2%, and Lithuania at 12.8%. Conversely, Finland and France saw declines of 1.5% and 1.4%, respectively.
All EU member states see rent hikes in Q2 2026 compared to 2025 averages
When comparing the second quarter to the 2025 annual average, rental prices rose across all EU countries. Romania experienced the largest increase at 41.2%, with Croatia at 22.1%, and Slovenia at 10.2%. Estonia and Finland had the smallest growth at 0.1% each, while Luxembourg’s rents grew by 1.2%. These figures reflect the diverse patterns of rental price changes across the continent’s housing markets.
Eurostat’s House Price Index monitors price fluctuations for residential properties purchased by households, covering both new and existing homes. The index includes flats, detached houses, and terraced properties, regardless of previous ownership or ultimate use. Since the first quarter of 2024, EU house prices have consistently risen each quarter. The next report, detailing the third quarter of 2026, is scheduled for release on January 11, 2027.