House prices across the European Union rose 4.7% in the second quarter of 2026 compared with the same period a year earlier, while rents increased by 3.0%, according to new Eurostat data.
The latest figures show that housing costs continued to rise across much of Europe, although the pace varied significantly between countries.
Compared with the first quarter of 2026, EU house prices increased by 1.2%, while rents rose by 0.7%. Between the 2025 annual average and the second quarter of 2026, house prices increased by 4.1% and rents by 2.6%.
House prices continued to rise across the EU
The latest Eurostat figures show that house prices increased faster than rents in the 18 EU countries with available data when comparing the second quarter of 2026 with the 2025 annual average.
The strongest increases were recorded in:
- Bulgaria: 14.3%
- Portugal: 14.2%
- Lithuania: 12.8%
Finland and France were the only countries in this comparison where house prices fell, declining by 1.5% and 1.4% respectively.
The figures underline the differences between Europe’s national housing markets.
While some countries recorded rapid increases in property prices, others experienced relatively little movement or declines.
Rents increased in every EU country
The rental market showed a different pattern.
Eurostat said rents increased in all EU countries over the period covered by its comparison with the 2025 annual average.
The biggest increases were recorded in:
| Country | Rent increase |
|---|---|
| Romania | 41.2% |
| Croatia | 22.1% |
| Slovenia | 10.2% |
| Luxembourg | 1.2% |
| Estonia | 0.1% |
| Finland | 0.1% |
Romania recorded by far the largest increase, with rents rising by 41.2%. Croatia followed with a 22.1% increase, while Slovenia recorded a 10.2% rise.
At the other end of the scale, rents increased by only 0.1% in both Estonia and Finland and by 1.2% in Luxembourg.
Why the figures matter for tenants
The difference between house-price growth and rent growth matters because the two indicators affect households in different ways.
Rising house prices can make it harder for people to buy their first home, particularly when incomes do not keep pace with property values.
Rising rents can place immediate pressure on households already renting privately.
The latest Eurostat data shows that these pressures are not moving at the same pace across Europe.
In some countries, rents have increased dramatically even where house-price growth has been more moderate.
Romania is a particularly striking example, with rents rising by 41.2% in the latest comparison.
Portugal and Bulgaria record strong house-price growth
Portugal and Bulgaria recorded two of the largest increases in house prices.
House prices rose by 14.2% in Bulgaria and 14.2% in Portugal when comparing the second quarter of 2026 with the 2025 annual average.
Lithuania followed with an increase of 12.8%.
These increases highlight how rapidly property markets can change within individual EU countries, even while the overall EU increase was 4.1% over the same comparison period.
France and Finland move in the opposite direction
Not every European housing market followed the upward trend.
House prices fell by 1.5% in Finland and 1.4% in France when comparing the second quarter of 2026 with the 2025 annual average.
However, rents still increased in both countries.
Eurostat recorded a 0.1% increase in rents in Finland and a figure of 1.2% in Luxembourg among the countries with the lowest rental increases.
This illustrates an important point: house prices and rents do not necessarily move together.
A country can experience falling or weak house-price growth while rents continue to rise.
What does the latest data say about Europe’s housing market?
The figures point to a European housing market where affordability pressures remain uneven.
At EU level, house prices increased by 4.7% year-on-year in Q2 2026, compared with 3.0% rental growth.
But the national figures are much more varied.
Some countries are experiencing rapid increases in property values, while others are seeing particularly strong rental growth.
For households, the effect depends on whether they are trying to buy a home, already own one, or rely on the private rental market.
Ireland in the wider European picture
Ireland is part of the same European housing market, but its housing pressures need to be considered alongside national data.
The Eurostat figures provide a useful European benchmark, while Ireland’s own rental market is tracked through sources including the Residential Tenancies Board and the ESRI.
For tenants, the distinction between European-wide statistics and national rental measures is important because different datasets measure different parts of the housing market.
Housing affordability remains a European issue
The latest figures do not provide a complete picture of housing affordability.
House prices and rents are only part of the story.
Household incomes, mortgage costs, housing supply, construction levels and the availability of social and affordable housing also influence whether people can afford a home.
But the Eurostat data provides a clear indication that housing costs continued to rise across the EU during 2026.
The fact that rents increased in every EU country in the latest comparison is particularly significant for Europe’s renters.
At the same time, the sharp differences between countries show that there is no single European housing-market story.
Some countries are seeing rapidly rising rents. Others are experiencing stronger house-price growth. A small number are seeing house prices fall even while rents continue to increase.
For policymakers, landlords, tenants and prospective buyers, the latest figures underline the same challenge: housing markets across Europe remain under pressure, but that pressure is taking different forms from country to country.
Key figures
- EU house prices: +4.7% year-on-year in Q2 2026
- EU rents: +3.0% year-on-year
- Quarterly house-price growth: +1.2%
- Quarterly rent growth: +0.7%
- House prices vs 2025 average: +4.1%
- Rents vs 2025 average: +2.6%
- Largest house-price increase: Bulgaria, +14.3%
- Largest rent increase: Romania, +41.2%
Source: Eurostat, House prices and rents continued to rise in Q2 2026, published 1 October 2026.
