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 rose by 3.0%, pushing upward trends across the entire bloc. Eurostat noted that house prices grew by 1.2% from the first quarter, while rents gained 0.7%. These figures indicate that housing costs continued to escalate throughout much of the EU during this period.
In the euro area, housing price growth was slightly slower than in the broader EU. Prices rose 4.0% year-over-year and 1.1% compared to the previous quarter. The annual increase also slowed from the first quarter of 2026, when prices grew by 4.6%. Overall, the EU’s annual house price growth decreased from 5.1% in Q1 to 4.7% in Q2.
Data from individual countries revealed widespread annual gains, though the extent of price changes varied notably. Out of countries with available data, 23 experienced increases, while 3 saw declines. Portugal led with a 16.5% rise, followed by Bulgaria at 15.5%, and Lithuania at 14.3%. Conversely, prices dropped by 2.7% in Finland, 2.2% in Luxembourg, and 0.8% in France.
Quarterly growth remains common across EU housing markets
The quarterly data shows most EU countries saw price increases from April to June. Prices rose in 24 member states with available data, while only two countries experienced declines. Lithuania posted the highest quarterly growth at 5.0%, with Bulgaria at 4.5% and Romania at 4.4%. Hungary experienced a 1.4% decline. In France, house prices fell 0.8% from the previous quarter.
A comparison with the 2025 annual average confirms that housing costs continued to increase. House prices in the second quarter of 2026 were 4.1% higher, and rents rose by 2.6%. Bulgaria led house price growth on this measure at 14.3%, followed by Portugal at 14.2%, and Lithuania at 12.8%. Finland and France saw declines of 1.5% and 1.4%, respectively.
Rents Rise Across All EU Countries Compared to 2025 Averages
Every EU nation experienced rent increases when comparing Q2 with the 2025 annual average. Romania saw the largest jump at 41.2%, with Croatia at 22.1% and Slovenia at 10.2%. Estonia and Finland recorded the smallest rises at 0.1% each. Rents in Luxembourg increased by 1.2%. These figures reflect the diverse changes in rental prices across member states.
Eurostat utilizes the House Price Index to monitor price fluctuations for residential properties purchased by households, including both new and existing homes. The index encompasses flats, detached houses, and terraced properties, regardless of ownership history or usage. Since the first quarter of 2024, EU house prices have consistently increased quarterly. The upcoming release, covering the third quarter of 2026, is scheduled for January 11, 2027.