Tuesday, 26 May 2026
Residential property prices in the Czech Republic continued to increase during the first quarter of 2026, although the pace of growth moderated in most segments compared to last year, according to the latest ČSOB Housing Index.
Apartment prices recorded the strongest annual growth, rising by 12.5 percent year-on-year, while family houses increased by 9.1 percent and land prices by 8 percent. The continued upward trend has been driven by limited supply and sustained buyer demand across the market.
On a quarter-on-quarter basis, apartment prices rose by 2.6 percent in Q1 2026. According to the index, apartment prices have significantly outpaced inflation over the past five years, with values increasing by nearly 50 percent compared to cumulative inflation of approximately 38 percent. However, the pace of quarterly growth has been gradually slowing for more than a year.
Regional differences remained visible across the apartment market. The strongest quarterly increases were recorded in the Zlín Region, where prices rose by 4 percent, followed by the Liberec Region, the Vysočina Region and Central Bohemia.
Prefabricated apartment buildings posted the fastest quarterly growth among housing types, with prices rising by 3.2 percent, while brick-built apartments increased by 2.3 percent. Demand continued to focus primarily on smaller units, although so-called micro-apartments, including studios and the smallest accommodation units, recorded the weakest price growth during the quarter. According to the index, investors outside Prague increasingly assessed these units based on profitability considerations.
The average sales period for apartments remained stable at approximately 4.5 months. Demand in Prague also remained strong. According to Martin Vašek, Chairman of the Board and CEO of ČSOB Hypoteční banka and ČSOB Stavební spořitelna, around 1,800 apartments were sold in Prague during the first quarter, representing an 8 percent year-on-year increase. Average apartment prices in the capital reached CZK 182,000 per square metre.
Family house prices increased by 2.1 percent quarter-on-quarter in Q1 2026. Construction activity remained concentrated mainly in the Central Bohemian Region and around Brno. Demand for houses continued to grow modestly, although older properties in poorer technical condition attracted weaker interest.
The report noted that the suspension of subsidy programmes and rising construction costs have affected buyer sentiment. Construction material prices have also been influenced by uncertainty in energy markets linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. According to the index, these higher input costs are expected to contribute to further increases in new-build prices.
Land prices rose by 2.8 percent during the quarter, outperforming both apartments and houses on a quarterly basis. The market continues to face limited supply, partly due to outdated zoning plans restricting development opportunities.
Demand for plots has increasingly shifted further away from major urban centres, including areas with limited public infrastructure. The report highlighted that buyers are becoming more willing to consider alternative technological solutions, including photovoltaic systems, domestic water treatment technologies and off-grid housing solutions.
The ČSOB Housing Index showed apartment prices reaching an index value of 265.8 points in Q1 2026, based on Q1 2010 = 100. House prices reached 247.0 points, while land prices climbed to 345.0 points, underlining the long-term appreciation trend across the Czech residential market.
Source: CTK
