LUXEMBOURG / RankWire.AI / – European Union house prices increased by 4.7% in the second quarter of 2026 compared to the same period last year. Rents also went up by 3.0%, continuing their upward trend across the bloc. Eurostat indicated that house prices gained an additional 1.2% from the first quarter, while rents rose by 0.7%. The data demonstrates that housing expenses kept rising across much of the EU throughout the quarter.
In the euro area, housing price growth was slower than in the broader EU during the second quarter. Prices increased by 4.0% from the previous year and by 1.1% compared to the prior quarter. Moreover, annual growth slowed from 4.6% in the first quarter of 2026. Overall, EU-wide annual house price growth decreased from 5.1% in the first quarter to 4.7% in the second.
Data from individual countries revealed widespread yearly gains, although the rate of change varied significantly among member states. Out of those with available data, 23 experienced increases in house prices annually, while three saw declines. Portugal recorded the highest rise at 16.5%, with Bulgaria close behind at 15.5%, and Lithuania at 14.3%. Conversely, prices fell by 2.7% in Finland, 2.2% in Luxembourg, and 0.8% in France.
Most EU housing markets demonstrate consistent quarterly growth
Further quarterly data confirmed the trend, with prices rising in the majority of EU countries between April and June. Out of the 24 member states with available figures, only two recorded declines. Lithuania experienced the most significant quarterly increase at 5.0%, followed by Bulgaria at 4.5% and Romania at 4.4%. Hungary saw a decrease of 1.4%, whereas in house prices in France, a 0.8% drop was observed from the previous quarter.
Comparing the second quarter to the 2025 annual average also indicated ongoing rises in housing costs within the EU. House prices were 4.1% higher, while rents increased by 2.6%. Bulgaria led this measure with a 14.3% rise 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.
Rental prices escalate across all EU member countries
When comparing rents in the second quarter to the 2025 annual average, every EU nation experienced growth. Romania posted the highest increase at 41.2%, with Croatia at 22.1% and Slovenia at 10.2%. Estonia and Finland registered the smallest gains at 0.1% each, while Luxembourg saw a 1.2% rise. These figures underscore the diverse movements in rental costs across national markets.
Eurostat’s House Price Index tracks changes in residential property prices bought by households, including new and existing dwellings. It encompasses flats, detached houses, and terraced properties, regardless of ownership history or use. Since the first quarter of 2024, EU house prices have shown consecutive quarterly increases. The upcoming release for the third quarter of 2026 is scheduled for January 11, 2027.