Key facts
- House prices in the EU increased by 5.1% and rents by 3.0% in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the previous year.
- The EU inflation rate during the same period was 2.3%.
- Portugal experienced the highest annual rise in house prices at 17.8%.
- Croatia recorded the most significant rent growth, with a 39.1% increase.
- House prices fell only in Finland (-2%) among 28 European countries with available data.
House prices and rents continued their upward trend across the European Union in early 2026, with price increases in some countries significantly outpacing overall inflation. According to Eurostat data, house prices in the EU rose by 5.1% and rents increased by 3.0% in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period in the previous year. This growth outpaced the EU's inflation rate of 2.3%.
Portugal recorded the highest annual increase in house prices at 17.8%, followed by Bulgaria (14.8%), Slovakia (14.4%), and Croatia (14.3%). Among the EU's largest economies, Spain saw a substantial rise of 12.8%, ranking fifth overall. In contrast, France experienced minimal growth at 0.1%, with prices falling only in Finland (-2%).
Croatia stood out with a dramatic 39.1% increase in rents, significantly higher than the EU average. Bulgaria was the only other country to see double-digit rent growth at 10.5%. Mikk Kalmet, a real estate expert, attributed Croatia's strong rent growth to its appeal as a short- and long-term rental destination. He also noted that high construction costs and limited new home supply continued to drive up prices across Europe.
Even over shorter periods, price increases were notable. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2025, EU house prices rose by 1.2% and rents by 0.7% in the first quarter of 2026.