LUXEMBOURG / RankWire.AI / – European Union house prices increased by 4.7% in the second quarter of 2026 compared to the same period last year. Over the same timeframe, rents grew by 3.0%, further supporting the upward trend across the EU. Eurostat noted that house prices also saw a 1.2% rise from the first quarter, with rents climbing 0.7%. These figures indicate that housing expenses continued to escalate throughout much of the EU during this period.
In the euro area, the pace of house price growth was somewhat slower than the broader EU figures. Prices went up by 4.0% year-on-year and by 1.1% compared to the previous quarter. This marks a slowdown from the first quarter of 2026, when euro area house prices increased by 4.6%. Similarly, annual house price growth in the EU decelerated from 5.1% in Q1 to 4.7% in Q2.
Data across countries revealed widespread annual gains, although the extent of price changes varied significantly among member states. Out of those with available data, 23 countries experienced annual increases in house prices, while three saw declines. Portugal registered the largest rise at 16.5%, followed by Bulgaria at 15.5% and Lithuania at 14.3%. Conversely, prices decreased by 2.7% in Finland, 2.2% in Luxembourg, and 0.8% in France.
Widespread quarterly growth persists across EU housing markets
The quarterly data reflected rising prices in most EU nations during April through June. Out of the countries with available data, 24 experienced increases, with only two recording declines. Lithuania led with a quarterly increase of 5.0%, followed by Bulgaria at 4.5% and Romania at 4.4%. Hungary experienced a 1.4% decrease, while house prices in France fell 0.8% compared to the previous quarter.
Additionally, a comparison with the 2025 annual averages showed housing costs continued to rise within the EU. House prices in the second quarter of 2026 were 4.1% higher, with rents increasing by 2.6%. Bulgaria led house price growth on this basis at 14.3%, followed by Portugal at 14.2% and Lithuania at 12.8%. Finland and France reported decreases of 1.5% and 1.4%, respectively.
Rents escalate in all EU member states when compared to 2025 averages
Across the EU, rent prices grew in every country when compared to the 2025 annual average. Romania experienced the largest increase at 41.2%, with Croatia at 22.1% and Slovenia at 10.2%. Estonia and Finland recorded the smallest rises, each at 0.1%, whereas rents in Luxembourg increased by 1.2%. These figures demonstrate the broad spectrum of rental price movements across national housing markets.
Eurostat employs the House Price Index to monitor changes in residential property values purchased by households, encompassing new and existing homes. This index includes flats, detached houses, and terraced properties, regardless of ownership history or intended use. Since the first quarter of 2024, EU house prices have posted consecutive quarterly increases. The upcoming release, covering the third quarter of 2026, is scheduled for January 11, 2027.