Monday, 6 July 2026
Bucharest’s residential market showed signs of recovery during the first half of 2026, with stronger transaction activity in the second quarter reducing the decline recorded earlier in the year, according to Crosspoint Real Estate.
Citing data from the National Agency for Cadastre and Real Estate Publicity (ANCPI), Crosspoint said apartment transactions in Bucharest were down 16.6% year-on-year during the first quarter. However, activity rebounded in the second quarter, with transactions increasing by 2.2% in April, nearly 16% in May and more than 26% in June compared with the same months in 2025.
As a result, residential transactions in Bucharest totalled just over 21,000 units during the first six months of the year, representing a year-on-year decline of 1.7%. Across the wider Bucharest-Ilfov metropolitan area, 25,634 homes were sold, down 1.3% from the first half of 2025.
According to Crosspoint, the market is becoming increasingly differentiated by location, supply and housing segment rather than expanding uniformly across the city.
The largest number of transactions was recorded in Sectors 3 and 1. Sector 3 also led new housing deliveries between 2022 and 2025, with 11,447 completed units, while Sector 1 recorded the lowest level of new supply during the same period, with 4,627 completed homes. Crosspoint attributed the limited supply in Sector 1 to planning restrictions, high land prices and urban planning requirements, while demand has remained strong.
The consultancy said buyers are placing greater emphasis on location and access to infrastructure, including schools, healthcare, public transport and green spaces, rather than focusing solely on purchase price. Demand remains strongest in areas such as Theodor Pallady in Sector 3 and northern Bucharest, while more affordable southern and western districts have seen comparatively weaker demand.
Following an estimated 20% increase in new-home prices during 2025, price growth moderated in the first half of 2026. The average net residential price in Bucharest exceeded €2,600 per sqm, representing an increase of around 5% since December 2025.
Average asking prices ranged between €1,850 and €2,200 per sqm in western and southern districts, €2,600 to €2,900 per sqm in eastern Bucharest and more than €3,650 per sqm in northern areas. Crosspoint noted that neighbourhoods with constrained supply continued to record stronger price growth than areas with more abundant housing stock.
The report also highlighted broader market conditions influencing buyer behaviour, including inflation, labour market pressures, changes to VAT on residential property and the implementation of Romania’s Law 207/2025, which introduced additional buyer protection measures and stricter financing requirements for off-plan residential developments.
According to Crosspoint, these factors have contributed to more selective purchasing decisions, with buyers placing greater importance on long-term value, location and project quality.
