LUXEMBOURG / RankWire.AI / – European Union house prices saw a 4.7% increase in the second quarter of 2026 compared to the same period last year. During the same timeframe, rents rose by 3.0%, continuing their upward trend across the bloc. Eurostat noted that house prices also grew by 1.2% from the first quarter, while rents increased by 0.7%. These figures indicate that housing expenses kept climbing throughout much of the EU during this period.
In the euro area, housing price growth was somewhat slower than in the broader EU. Prices in the eurozone rose 4.0% year-on-year and 1.1% compared to the previous quarter. The annual growth rate also declined from 4.6% in the first quarter of 2026, when euro area prices increased by that amount. Overall, EU-wide annual house price growth slowed from 5.1% in the first quarter to 4.7% in the second quarter.
Data from various countries revealed widespread annual increases, although the magnitude of price shifts varied notably across member states. Among nations with available data, 23 experienced annual house price rises, whereas three saw decreases. Portugal registered the highest annual increase at 16.5%, followed by Bulgaria at 15.5% and Lithuania at 14.3%. Conversely, prices declined by 2.7% in Finland, 2.2% in Luxembourg, and 0.8% in France.
Broad quarterly growth observed across EU housing markets
Quarterly figures also demonstrated that housing prices continued to rise in most EU countries during April through June. Out of the countries with available data, 24 experienced price increases, while only two saw declines. Lithuania led quarterly growth at 5.0%, with Bulgaria at 4.5% and Romania at 4.4%. Meanwhile, Hungary experienced a 1.4% decline, and house prices in France fell 0.8% from the previous quarter.
A comparative analysis with the 2025 annual average also revealed ongoing rises in housing costs across the EU. House prices increased 4.1% in the second quarter of 2026, while rents were up 2.6%. Bulgaria topped the house price growth list with a 14.3% increase, followed by Portugal at 14.2% and Lithuania at 12.8%. Finland and France saw declines of 1.5% and 1.4%, respectively.
Rental prices continue to climb across all EU nations
When comparing the second quarter to the 2025 annual average, rent prices rose in every EU country. Romania experienced the largest surge at 41.2%, with Croatia at 22.1% and Slovenia at 10.2%. Estonia and Finland recorded the smallest increases, both at 0.1%, while Luxembourg’s rents increased by 1.2%. These figures underscore the diverse movements in rental markets across member states.
Eurostat’s House Price Index tracks changes in residential property prices purchased by households, including both new and existing dwellings. The index encompasses flats, detached houses, and terraced homes, regardless of previous ownership or intended use. Since the first quarter of 2024, EU house prices have shown consistent quarterly growth. The upcoming release, covering the third quarter of 2026, is scheduled for January 11, 2027.