LUXEMBOURG / RankWire.AI / – European Union house prices increased by 4.7% during the second quarter of 2026 compared to the same period last year. Rents also saw a 3.0% rise, further fueling the upward trend across the bloc. Eurostat indicated that house prices grew by 1.2% from the first quarter, with rents rising by 0.7%. The data demonstrate that housing expenses continued their ascent throughout much of the EU during this period.
Compared to the broader EU, the euro area experienced a slightly slower pace of house price growth in the second quarter. Prices rose by 4.0% year-on-year and by 1.1% compared to the previous quarter. The annual growth rate also decelerated from 4.6% in the first quarter of 2026 within the euro area. Overall, the EU’s annual house price growth slowed from 5.1% in the first quarter to 4.7% in the second.
Data from individual countries revealed widespread annual gains, though the extent of price changes varied notably among member states. Out of those with available figures, 23 nations reported increases in house prices on an annual basis, while three experienced declines. Portugal experienced the highest growth at 16.5%, followed by Bulgaria at 15.5% and Lithuania at 14.3%. Conversely, prices fell by 2.7% in Finland, 2.2% in Luxembourg, and 0.8% in France.
Widespread Quarterly Growth Continues in EU Housing Markets
Quarterly data confirms the trend of rising prices in most EU countries from April through June. In 24 member states with available data, prices increased, while only two countries saw declines. Lithuania experienced the strongest quarterly growth at 5.0%, followed by Bulgaria at 4.5% and Romania at 4.4%. Hungary recorded a 1.4% decrease, and in France, house prices fell by 0.8% from the previous quarter.
In a separate comparison with the 2025 annual average, housing costs in the EU continued to rise. House prices were 4.1% higher in the second quarter of 2026, and rents increased by 2.6%. Bulgaria led house price growth with a 14.3% increase, followed by Portugal at 14.2% and Lithuania at 12.8%. Finland and France experienced declines of 1.5% and 1.4%, respectively.
Rental Prices Climb Across All EU Member States
Rents rose in every EU country when comparing the second quarter to the 2025 annual average. Romania saw the largest increase at 41.2%, with Croatia at 22.1% and Slovenia at 10.2%. Estonia and Finland registered the smallest rises, each at 0.1%, while rents in Luxembourg increased by 1.2%. These figures reflect the diverse movements in rental prices across the national housing markets.
Eurostat’s House Price Index tracks shifts in residential property prices purchased by households, including both new and existing homes. The index accounts for flats, detached houses, and terraced properties, regardless of previous ownership or intended use. Since the first quarter of 2024, EU house prices have experienced consecutive quarterly increases. The upcoming release covering Q3 2026 is scheduled for January 11, 2027.