LUXEMBOURG / RankWire.AI / – In the broader European housing market, house prices experienced an increase of 4.7% during the second quarter of 2026 compared to the same period last year, as reported by Eurostat. Alongside this, rental costs went up by 3.0%, indicating a continued upward trend in both ownership and rental expenses across the European Union. When compared to the first quarter, the EU saw a 1.2% rise in home prices and a 0.7% increase in rents during the April-June span. The latest figures reveal that the upward movement in property prices and rental costs persisted throughout the bloc during this period.
The eurozone also recorded a growth in residential property values for the quarter, with house prices climbing 4.0% from the second quarter of 2025 and rising 1.1% from the previous quarter. The annual rate of increase in the euro area slowed slightly from 4.6% in the first quarter. Similarly, across the broader EU, annual house price growth moderated from 5.1% in the first quarter to 4.7% in the second quarter.
Most EU member states reported higher house prices compared to a year earlier. Out of the countries with available data, 23 experienced annual increases while three saw declines. Portugal led the way with a 16.5% rise, followed by Bulgaria at 15.5% and Lithuania at 14.3%. Finland experienced the most significant decline at 2.7%. Prices in Luxembourg decreased by 2.2%, and in France, they fell by 0.8% in the same period.
Most EU countries see quarterly house price growth
Quarterly data also indicates widespread increases across national housing markets. House prices rose in 24 EU nations with available figures, with only two countries experiencing declines. Lithuania recorded the strongest quarterly gain at 5.0%, followed by Bulgaria at 4.5%, and Romania at 4.4%. Hungary saw a 1.4% decrease compared to the first quarter. France was the only other country with a quarterly drop, with prices down 0.8%.
Another comparison looked at second-quarter prices against the average throughout 2025. Based on this, EU house prices were 4.1% higher, and rents increased by 2.6%. Bulgaria registered the largest house price increase at 14.3%, closely followed by Portugal at 14.2%. Lithuania’s rise was 12.8%. Conversely, Finland and France experienced declines of 1.5% and 1.4%, respectively, under this comparison.
Rental prices expand in all EU member states
Across every EU country, rental costs grew when compared to the 2025 annual average. Romania saw the highest jump at 41.2%, with Croatia following at 22.1%. Slovenia’s rental prices increased by 10.2%. Estonia and Finland experienced the smallest increases, each at 0.1%. Rents in Luxembourg went up by 1.2%, reflecting the wide variance in rental market movements across the bloc’s nations.
Eurostat monitors residential property prices through its House Price Index, which includes both new and existing homes purchased by households. The index covers flats, detached homes, and terraced properties regardless of previous ownership or intended use. Since the first quarter of 2024, EU house prices have consistently recorded quarterly gains. The upcoming release, scheduled for January 11, 2027, will present data for the third quarter of 2026.