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. During this time, rental prices also rose by 3.0%, signaling an ongoing growth in housing costs across the bloc. Eurostat indicated that house prices gained an additional 1.2% from the first quarter, with rents rising by 0.7%. These data underscore the persistent upward trajectory in housing expenses throughout much of the EU during this quarter.
In the euro area, the pace of house price appreciation was somewhat slower compared to the broader EU figures for the second quarter. Prices increased by 4.0% year-on-year and 1.1% compared to the previous quarter. The annual growth rate also decelerated from 4.6% in the first quarter of 2026 to 4.0% in the second. Meanwhile, the EU’s overall annual house price growth slowed from 5.1% in the first quarter to 4.7% in the second.
Data from individual countries reveal widespread annual gains, although the extent of price changes varied significantly among member states. Among those with available data, 23 nations experienced increases in house prices year-over-year, while three countries saw declines. Portugal recorded the most substantial rise at 16.5%, with Bulgaria at 15.5% and Lithuania at 14.3%. Conversely, prices decreased in Finland by 2.7%, Luxembourg by 2.2%, and France by 0.8%.
Broad Quarterly Price Growth Seen Throughout EU Housing Markets
The quarterly data also demonstrated widespread price increases across most EU nations during April to June. Out of the countries with available data, 24 saw rising prices, while only two experienced declines. Lithuania led quarterly growth at 5.0%, followed by Bulgaria at 4.5% and Romania at 4.4%. Hungary reported a 1.4% decline, and in France, house prices fell by 0.8% from the previous quarter.
Additionally, comparing the second quarter of 2026 to the 2025 annual average confirms ongoing increases in housing costs within the EU. House prices in the second quarter were 4.1% higher, and rents increased by 2.6%. Bulgaria again led 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 Price Growth Continues in All EU Member States
When comparing the second quarter to the 2025 annual average, rent levels rose across every EU country. Romania posted the largest increase at 41.2%, with Croatia at 22.1% and Slovenia at 10.2%. Estonia and Finland recorded minimal growth, both at 0.1%, while Luxembourg’s rents increased by 1.2%. The data highlight the diverse movement in rental prices across national housing markets.
Eurostat employs the House Price Index to monitor changes in residential property prices bought by households, including both new and existing homes. This index encompasses flats, detached houses, and terraced properties, regardless of previous ownership or intended use. Since the first quarter of 2024, EU house prices have maintained a pattern of consecutive quarterly rises. The forthcoming release, covering the third quarter of 2026, is scheduled for January 11, 2027.