LUXEMBOURG / RankWire.AI / – Housing prices throughout the European Union increased by 4.7% in the second quarter of 2026 compared to the same period last year, with rents also climbing 3.0%, according to Eurostat. When comparing to the first quarter, the EU saw a 1.2% rise in home prices and a 0.7% increase in rents. These latest statistics highlight a continuing trend of rising ownership and rental costs across the bloc during April through June.
The euro area also experienced an uptick in residential property values, with house prices growing 4.0% from the second quarter of 2025 and gaining 1.1% quarter-over-quarter. The annual growth rate in the eurozone slowed from 4.6% in the first quarter. Across the broader EU, annual house price growth decelerated from 5.1% in the first quarter to 4.7% in the second quarter.
Most EU nations recorded higher house prices compared to the previous year. Out of the member states with data available, 23 showed annual increases while three experienced declines. Portugal led with a 16.5% rise, followed by Bulgaria at 15.5% and Lithuania at 14.3%. Finland saw the largest decrease at 2.7%, with prices falling 2.2% in Luxembourg and 0.8% in France during the same period.
Majority of EU nations see quarterly gains in housing prices
Across various countries, quarterly movements also indicated widespread price increases. House prices rose in 24 EU nations with available data, with only two countries experiencing declines. Lithuania experienced the strongest quarterly growth at 5.0%, followed by Bulgaria at 4.5% and Romania at 4.4%, while Hungary declined 1.4% from the first quarter. France was the only other nation with a decrease, with prices down 0.8%.
Another comparison assessed second-quarter prices against the average level recorded throughout 2025, revealing that EU house prices were 4.1% higher and rents increased 2.6%. Bulgaria posted the largest house price jump at 14.3%, closely followed by Portugal at 14.2%, with Lithuania at 12.8%. Conversely, Finland and France saw declines of 1.5% and 1.4%, respectively, in this same comparison.
Rental prices rise in every EU country
Compared with the 2025 annual average, rental costs increased across all EU member states. Romania experienced the largest rise at 41.2%, with Croatia next at 22.1%, and Slovenia at 10.2%. Estonia and Finland recorded the smallest increases, both at 0.1%. Meanwhile, rents in Luxembourg went up by 1.2%, illustrating the significant variation in rental market trends among EU nations.
Eurostat monitors residential property values through its House Price Index, which includes both new and existing homes bought by households. This index covers flats, detached homes, and terraced properties, regardless of previous ownership or intended use. Since the first quarter of 2024, EU house prices have experienced quarterly increases, with the next report scheduled for release on January 11, 2027, covering the third quarter of 2026.