LUXEMBOURG / RankWire.AI / – During the second quarter of 2026, the European Union experienced a 4.7% increase in house prices compared to the same period last year. Rents also saw a 3.0% rise over this timeframe, as reported by Eurostat. When comparing to the first quarter, EU residential property values grew by 1.2%, and rents increased by 0.7%. The latest data demonstrate ongoing upward trends in both ownership and rental costs throughout the bloc during April to June.
In the euro area specifically, residential property prices also advanced during the quarter. House prices increased by 4.0% from the second quarter of 2025 and rose 1.1% compared to the previous quarter. The annual growth rate in the euro zone softened from 4.6% in the first quarter. Across the broader EU, yearly house price growth also decelerated, dropping from 5.1% in the first quarter to 4.7% in the second.
Most member countries of the EU reported higher house prices compared with the previous year. Of those with available data, 23 countries experienced annual increases, while three saw declines. Portugal led the way with a 16.5% increase, followed by Bulgaria at 15.5%, and Lithuania at 14.3%. The largest decrease was recorded in Finland, at 2.7%. Additionally, prices declined in Luxembourg by 2.2% and in France by 0.8% during the same period.
Majority of EU markets show quarterly house price growth
Looking at quarterly shifts, many national housing markets experienced gains. House prices increased in 24 EU countries with available data, with only two nations showing decreases. Lithuania exhibited the strongest quarterly increase at 5.0%, followed by Bulgaria at 4.5%, and Romania at 4.4%. Hungary, on the other hand, saw a 1.4% decline compared to the first quarter. France was the only other nation to record a quarterly dip, with prices down 0.8%.
A further comparison examined second-quarter prices relative to the average level throughout 2025. Based on this, EU house prices were 4.1% higher, and rents rose by 2.6%. Bulgaria experienced the largest house price increase at 14.3%, just ahead of Portugal at 14.2%. Lithuania’s prices grew by 12.8%. Conversely, Finland and France saw declines of 1.5% and 1.4%, respectively, under this same comparison.
Rents surge across all EU member states
Compared to the average rent levels of 2025, rental prices increased in every EU country. Romania recorded the highest rise at 41.2%, with Croatia following at 22.1%. Slovenia experienced a 10.2% gain, while Estonia and Finland each saw minimal increases of 0.1%. Rents in Luxembourg grew by 1.2%, illustrating the significant variation in rental cost movements across the EU’s housing markets.
Eurostat’s House Price Index monitors residential property values, including both new and existing homes bought by households. This index encompasses flats, detached houses, and terraced properties, regardless of previous ownership or intended purpose. Since the first quarter of 2024, EU house prices have recorded quarterly growth. The upcoming release, scheduled for January 11, 2027, will cover data for the third quarter of 2026.