LUXEMBOURG / RankWire.AI / – In the second quarter of 2026, house prices across the European Union experienced a 4.7% rise compared to the same period last year. During the same timeframe, rental rates grew by 3.0%, as reported by Eurostat. When comparing to the first quarter, EU property prices increased by 1.2%, and rents went up by 0.7%. The latest data indicates that both homeownership and rental expenses continued to trend upward throughout the bloc from April to June.
The eurozone also saw an uptick in residential property prices during this period. House prices rose by 4.0% from the second quarter of 2025 and increased by 1.1% from the preceding quarter. The annual growth rate in the euro area slowed down from 4.6% in the first quarter. Across the broader EU, yearly house price growth decelerated from 5.1% in the first quarter to 4.7% in the second.
Most EU nations reported higher house prices compared to the previous year. Out of the member states with available data, 23 experienced annual increases, while three showed declines. Portugal led the gains with a 16.5% rise, followed by Bulgaria at 15.5%, and Lithuania at 14.3%. Finland recorded the largest decrease at 2.7%, and prices fell by 2.2% in Luxembourg and 0.8% in France during the same period.
Most EU markets observe quarterly growth in property prices
Monthly comparisons also reveal widespread price increases in national housing markets. House prices increased in 24 EU countries with available data, with only two countries experiencing declines. Lithuania registered the strongest quarterly increase at 5.0%, followed by Bulgaria at 4.5%, and Romania at 4.4%. Hungary saw a 1.4% decrease from the first quarter. France was the only other country with a quarterly drop, with prices down 0.8%.
Another comparison examined second-quarter prices relative to the average level recorded 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%, closely followed by Portugal at 14.2%. Lithuania had a 12.8% rise. Conversely, Finland and France showed declines of 1.5% and 1.4%, respectively, under the same comparison.
Rental expenses see growth in all member states
Across every EU country, rental prices increased when compared with the 2025 annual average. Romania had the highest surge at 41.2%, with Croatia following at 22.1%. Slovenia posted a 10.2% gain. Estonia and Finland recorded the smallest increases, both at 0.1%. Rents in Luxembourg rose by 1.2%, demonstrating significant variation in rental market movements across the bloc’s nations.
Eurostat tracks residential property prices through its House Price Index, which covers both new and existing homes bought by households. The measure includes flats, detached houses, and terraced properties, regardless of previous ownership or intended use. EU house prices have now recorded quarterly increases since the first quarter of 2024. The upcoming release will detail data for the third quarter of 2026, scheduled for January 11, 2027.