LUXEMBOURG / RankWire.AI / – European Union house prices grew by 4.7% during the second quarter of 2026 compared to the same period the previous year. Meanwhile, rental costs rose 3.0%, furthering the upward trend across the bloc. Eurostat indicated that house values increased by 1.2% from the first quarter, with rents up 0.7%. These figures demonstrate that housing expenses kept climbing throughout much of the EU during this period.
In the euro area, housing price growth slowed relative to the broader EU, with a 4.0% rise from a year earlier and a 1.1% increase from the previous quarter. This annual expansion also eased from the 4.6% recorded in the first quarter of 2026, while EU-wide annual growth declined from 5.1% to 4.7%.
Data from individual countries revealed widespread annual gains, though the extent of price changes varied significantly across member states. Out of those with available data, 23 countries experienced increases in house prices, while three saw declines. Portugal led with a 16.5% rise, followed by Bulgaria at 15.5% and Lithuania at 14.3%. Conversely, Finland saw a 2.7% decrease, Luxembourg 2.2%, and France 0.8%.
Broad-based quarterly growth persists across EU housing markets
During April to June, most EU nations reported rising home prices. Data showed 24 countries with available figures experienced increases, while only two recorded declines. Lithuania’s quarterly growth was strongest 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.
A comparison with the 2025 annual averages also confirms ongoing rises in housing costs within the EU. In the second quarter of 2026, house prices were up 4.1%, and rents increased 2.6%. Bulgaria led the annual house price growth at 14.3%, 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 hikes are now evident in all EU member states
When comparing the second quarter to the 2025 annual average, rent costs 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 at 0.1%, while rents in Luxembourg grew by 1.2%. These numbers reflect significant variations in rental market movements across member states.
Eurostat utilizes the House Price Index to monitor changes in residential property values purchased by households, including new and existing homes. This index accounts for flats, detached houses, and terraced properties, irrespective of previous ownership or intended use. Since the first quarter of 2024, EU house prices have shown consecutive quarterly increases. The upcoming release, covering the third quarter of 2026, is scheduled for January 11, 2027.