Czech Housing Market Re-accelerates as Demand Returns Faster Than Supply

fletcher@cijeurope.com
9 April 2026
CIJ - Spotlight, Indicators, Residential

Residential property prices in the Czech Republic picked up pace again toward the end of 2025, placing the country among the stronger performers across the European Union. According to data from Eurostat, the increase in values outstripped the wider European trend, reflecting a market where underlying pressures have not eased despite a brief slowdown in previous periods.

The latest rise follows a phase in which higher borrowing costs had temporarily reduced activity. As financing conditions began to improve, buyers who had postponed decisions returned to the market, bringing demand back more quickly than expected. This rebound has exposed the same structural limitations that have characterised the Czech residential sector for years, particularly the shortage of available housing.

While several countries across Central and Eastern Europe are experiencing similar dynamics, the Czech Republic stands out for the scale of its long-term price growth. Since the middle of the last decade, housing values have risen sharply, far exceeding the average increase seen across the European Union. This has gradually eroded affordability, especially for first-time buyers and households with average incomes.

Analysis from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development has repeatedly pointed to the widening gap between property prices and earnings in the country. For many households, access to ownership has become increasingly difficult, even as demand remains strong.

The recovery in lending has played a significant role in the latest price movement. Figures from the Czech Banking Association show that mortgage activity rebounded in 2025 after a subdued period, approaching levels seen during earlier peaks in the market. This renewed access to financing has translated directly into stronger purchasing activity.

At the same time, new housing supply continues to lag. Data from the Czech Statistical Office indicates that the number of newly started homes has not kept pace with demand, even though completions have seen some improvement. Planning constraints, slower permitting processes and cost pressures remain obstacles to expanding the housing stock.

Compared with neighbouring markets, the Czech residential sector offers a relatively stable environment but with tightening returns. In countries such as Poland or Romania, investors can still find higher yields, while the Czech market increasingly reflects a combination of strong capital values and limited availability of new product.

Looking ahead, the direction of prices will largely depend on whether supply begins to respond more effectively. Without a meaningful increase in construction activity, the imbalance between demand and availability is likely to persist. While price growth may become less pronounced than in previous cycles, the underlying drivers suggest that upward pressure will remain in place.

The current phase reinforces a familiar pattern: when financing improves, demand quickly returns, but without sufficient new development, the market tightens once again. In this environment, the Czech Republic continues to stand out as one of the more constrained housing markets in Europe, where access remains a growing challenge for a significant part of the population.

Source: CIJ.World Research & Analysis Team

Czech Mortgage Rates Reverse Course as Global Volatility Filters Back Into Pricing

The Czech mortgage market has shown its first clear sign of reversal in 2026, with average advertised rates moving back above the five percent threshold in early April. Data from the Swiss Life Hypoindex indicates a month-on-month increase of 0.29 percentage points, taking the average offer rate to approximately 5.18 percent. The shift interrupts a stabilisation trend that had taken hold in late 2025 and signals a more cautious phase in bank pricing, as external pressures begin to reassert themselves.

The April movement represents one of the more pronounced monthly increases seen in recent periods, although it remains well below the sharp adjustments recorded during the 2022 tightening cycle led by the Czech National Bank. The repricing has been most visible in the core segments of the market, with three- and five-year fixed-rate products registering increases of roughly 35 to 40 basis points. Given their dominance in new lending volumes, the impact is immediately reflected in borrower affordability. A standard mortgage of CZK 3.5 million now carries a monthly repayment increase of several hundred crowns compared to March levels, a seemingly modest shift that compounds significantly over the duration of the fixation period.

While domestic monetary policy remains a central anchor, mortgage pricing in the Czech Republic is increasingly shaped by global financial conditions. Recent tensions in the Middle East have contributed to renewed volatility in energy markets and inflation expectations, feeding into sovereign bond yields and interest rate swaps, which act as the primary reference point for mortgage pricing across Europe. Institutions such as the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund have repeatedly highlighted the sensitivity of inflation expectations to energy price shocks. For lenders, this translates into higher funding costs and a reduced willingness to continue aggressive discounting.

The relationship is not direct, but the transmission mechanism is increasingly visible. Mortgage rates are not reacting to geopolitical developments themselves, but to the way those developments reshape expectations in capital markets. This dynamic has reintroduced volatility into a segment that had begun to stabilise, reminding both lenders and borrowers that the easing cycle remains fragile.

Banks are also adjusting their internal strategies. Through much of 2025, lenders competed actively on pricing in an effort to stimulate demand in a subdued residential market. That phase is now giving way to a more balanced approach, where margin protection and funding considerations carry greater weight. The current positioning is defined less by outright tightening and more by caution, with institutions waiting for clearer signals from inflation data and central bank policy before committing to further pricing moves.

The Czech development is part of a broader regional pattern. Across Central and Eastern Europe, mortgage markets are showing similar sensitivity to global rate dynamics. Pricing in neighbouring markets has remained relatively firm despite expectations of monetary easing, reflecting a shared hesitation among banks to move ahead of macroeconomic clarity. The result is a lending environment in which local conditions are increasingly intertwined with global financial sentiment.

Looking ahead, the trajectory of mortgage rates in the Czech Republic will depend on the interaction between disinflation trends, monetary policy signals and the stability of global bond markets. The April increase does not mark a structural shift back to rising rates, but it does underline how quickly the narrative can change. For now, the market is entering a phase of fragile stability, where any further easing in borrowing costs is likely to be gradual, uneven and highly sensitive to external shocks.

Source: CTK

Slovakia Reopens Diesel Trade While Keeping Domestic Controls in Place

Slovakia is preparing to resume diesel exports after a short-lived restriction introduced in March, but authorities are not stepping away from intervention altogether. Instead, the government is maintaining a framework of domestic controls designed to protect local supply, reflecting a cautious approach as the situation stabilises but remains uncertain.

The earlier restrictions were introduced after disruptions to crude deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline raised concerns over supply security. In response, the administration led by Robert Fico activated emergency measures that allowed it to manage fuel distribution more directly. This included limiting exports and drawing on state reserves to support refining operations.

A key factor in the decision to ease export limits has been the gradual improvement in supply flows. The increased use of the Adria pipeline has provided an alternative route for crude deliveries, reducing pressure on the domestic system. At the same time, the country’s main refinery, Slovnaft, has been able to stabilise production after relying on strategic reserves during the peak of the disruption.

Despite this improvement, the government is not returning to a fully open market environment. Restrictions affecting how fuel is sold domestically remain in place, including limits aimed at preventing excessive demand. Measures targeting cross-border refuelling, which emerged as price differences within the region attracted drivers from neighbouring countries, are also being retained.

These steps have not gone unnoticed at the European level. The European Commission has raised concerns about the compatibility of such policies with internal market rules, particularly where pricing or access differs depending on the origin of consumers. While temporary action can be justified during supply stress, prolonged or selective restrictions risk creating friction within the single market.

The episode highlights the degree to which Central Europe’s fuel systems remain exposed to disruptions beyond their control. Although global oil price movements have played a role in shaping market sentiment, the more immediate pressures have come from logistical constraints and the time it takes for supply chains to adjust. Even when international prices ease, the effect is not felt immediately at the pump due to procurement cycles and processing delays.

Slovakia’s decision to resume exports while keeping domestic safeguards in place reflects an attempt to balance competing priorities. On one side is the need to restore normal trade flows within a tightly connected regional market. On the other is the imperative to ensure that local supply remains sufficient in the face of ongoing uncertainty.

For neighbouring countries, particularly those that rely on Slovak fuel exports, the easing of restrictions will provide some relief. However, the continued presence of domestic controls suggests that the situation remains fragile. The broader lesson is that energy markets in the region are still highly sensitive to external shocks, and that policy responses can shift quickly when supply risks emerge.

In the coming months, the direction of travel will depend on the reliability of alternative supply routes, the stability of global markets and the broader geopolitical backdrop. Until these factors settle, Slovakia and its neighbours are likely to operate in an environment where market openness and state intervention continue to coexist uneasily.

Bitcoin’s Missing Founder and the Quiet Risk Still Sitting in the System

More than a decade after Bitcoin entered circulation, the identity of its creator remains unresolved, despite repeated efforts to connect the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto to known figures in the cryptography community. The latest wave of speculation has again drawn attention to Adam Back, a long-time contributor to early digital cash concepts. Yet, as with previous theories, the case rests on interpretation rather than proof.

The persistence of this uncertainty is not simply a historical curiosity. It continues to sit in the background of a market that has grown into a globally traded asset class. Bitcoin’s origin story is rooted in a network of developers and thinkers who, from the 1990s onward, explored ways to create money that could function outside traditional financial systems. Among them were individuals such as Nick Szabo and Hal Finney, whose ideas helped shape the foundations of decentralised finance long before Bitcoin itself appeared.

This shared intellectual lineage explains why multiple candidates continue to be linked to the creator’s identity. It also highlights a more important point: Bitcoin did not emerge in isolation, but as the result of years of experimentation and overlapping contributions. Attempts to assign authorship to a single individual often overlook this broader context.

From a market standpoint, the anonymity of Bitcoin’s founder has been both a strength and a lingering unknown. Without a central figure, the system operates independently of any one person’s influence, reinforcing its position as a decentralised network. At the same time, the absence of a confirmed identity leaves open questions that would not exist in more traditional financial structures.

One of the most frequently cited concerns relates to the large quantity of Bitcoin believed to have been mined in the early stages of the network and attributed to its creator. These holdings have remained untouched, but their potential movement is often discussed as a theoretical risk that could affect market stability. While such a scenario appears unlikely, its mere existence continues to factor into long-term considerations for investors.

The issue also intersects with regulation. Authorities such as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission have taken the view that Bitcoin does not fall under the same classification as assets issued by identifiable entities. The lack of a central issuer has supported its treatment as a distinct category within financial markets. A confirmed identity, depending on the circumstances, could complicate that framework, although such an outcome remains hypothetical.

Past attempts to claim authorship have done little to resolve the matter. The most prominent case, involving Craig Wright, has been widely challenged and has not been supported by verifiable evidence. These episodes have reinforced a cautious approach to any new claims, with the burden of proof set at a level that has yet to be met.

As Bitcoin continues to mature, the practical importance of its origins is gradually diminishing. Institutional participation, improved infrastructure and clearer regulatory treatment are increasingly shaping the market’s direction. Even so, the question of who created it continues to surface, particularly during periods of heightened attention or uncertainty.

In many ways, the unresolved identity has become part of Bitcoin’s structure. It removes the possibility of central control, but it also leaves behind a narrative gap that the market periodically revisits. Whether that gap is ever closed may matter less over time, but for now, it remains one of the few unknowns in an otherwise transparent system.

Source: CTK

Slovak Entrepreneurs Expand Presence in Czech Market as Regional Ownership Patterns Shift

Slovak business owners continue to hold the strongest position among foreign investors in Czech companies, extending a trend that has been building for years. The latest data from Dun & Bradstreet shows that their presence has reached a new peak, underlining how closely connected the two economies remain.

The appeal of the Czech market for Slovak entrepreneurs is rooted in a combination of practical and historical factors. The ease of communication, similar regulatory environments and long-standing economic links make it relatively straightforward to operate across the border. This is further reinforced by the steady movement of people between the two countries, particularly students who often transition into business activity after completing their studies.

Beyond Slovakia, the structure of foreign ownership in Czech companies is gradually evolving. Investors from Ukraine remain a major group, although their numbers have stabilised after a period of rapid expansion. In contrast, the presence of owners connected to Russia has fallen sharply in recent years, reflecting wider geopolitical developments and the impact of sanctions.

At the same time, neighbouring countries are becoming more visible in the ownership landscape. Entrepreneurs from Hungary and Poland are steadily increasing their involvement, pointing to a broader shift in investment patterns within Central Europe. Rather than a decline in foreign participation, the data suggests a re-balancing towards regional capital.

The overall number of Czech companies with foreign ownership has seen a slight decrease, but this appears to be linked more to restructuring and changing business strategies than to any loss of interest in the market itself. Companies across Europe have been adjusting their portfolios in response to economic uncertainty, leading to a more selective approach to expansion.

The relationship between the Czech Republic and Slovakia remains particularly strong in both directions. Czech entrepreneurs also represent the largest group of foreign owners in Slovakia, highlighting the depth of integration between the two markets. This mutual presence creates a business environment where cross-border activity is not only common but often essential.

Looking ahead, the Czech market is likely to continue attracting investors from across the region, supported by its stable economic framework and strategic position within Europe. While global factors will continue to influence investment decisions, the growing role of Central European capital suggests that regional connections will play an increasingly important role in shaping ownership trends.

Poland: Ready-to-Move-In Flats: Availability, Offer and Entry Prices

As demand patterns shift and some buyers prioritise immediate occupancy, completed residential units are gaining renewed attention across the Polish market. While most developers continue to sell the majority of their stock during construction, a selection of finished apartments remains available in several projects across key cities.

This overview looks at where ready-to-move-in flats can currently be found, what types of units are on offer and the price levels at which entry options begin. The information is based on statements provided by developers.

Tomasz Kaleta, Managing Director for Sales and Marketing at Develia: The attractiveness of the projects and a well-thought-out sales policy mean that the proportion of ready-to-move-in flats in Develia’s portfolio remains low, currently standing at around 9 per cent, whilst the market average is 20–25 per cent.

Currently, ready-to-move-in flats are available in our portfolio, including in the Legnicka Vita project in Wrocław, Centralna Vita in Kraków, Vilda Arte in Poznań and Ceglana Park in Katowice. In the Ceglana Park development, prices start from PLN 465,000 for a flat with an area of approximately 36 sq m.

Agnieszka Maj-Kusiak, General Director of Sales and Marketing at Atal: Thanks to the completion of numerous construction projects this year and last, we have a wide range of ready-to-move-in flats in completed developments across all major regional markets. The wide variation in prices stems from location, floor area, position within the development and its standard.

For example, in the Ogrody Andersa II development in Gliwice, a 26 sq m flat can be purchased for PLN 279,000, and a two-room flat of 40 sq m for PLN 397,000. In the Atal Aura II development in Łódź, a 26 sq m flat costs PLN 304,500, whilst in Nowe Miasto Polesie IV, a 45 sq m flat is on offer for PLN 431,800. In the Atal Olimpijska development in Katowice, a 25 sq m flat is available for PLN 376,000. In Poznań, in the Naramowice Odnova development, a 47 sq m two-room flat is available for PLN 470,000. In the Atal Idea development in Swarzędz, a 41 sq m flat is on sale for PLN 375,000. In Reda, in the Niebieski Bursztyn development, a two-room flat of 47 sq m costs PLN 461,000. In the Żerniki Na Novo estate in Wrocław, a 40 sq m flat is priced at PLN 542,500. In Kowale near Gdańsk, in the Atal Apollina development, a three-room flat of 56 sq m is priced at approximately PLN 581,000. In Warsaw’s Zakątek Harmonia, a 66 sq m flat costs PLN 707,500, whilst in the Poematu estate, a 75 sq m flat is available for PLN 898,500.

Monika Kudełko, Director of Strategy and Marketing Communications at Activ Investment: Our strategy, based on realistic market valuations, means that most properties find buyers whilst still under construction, which is why we rarely have completed flats on offer. Currently, all our projects are under construction, although the Kameralny Ruczaj development in Kraków is nearing completion. By the end of this summer, new residents will be able to collect the keys to their flats. The remaining units on offer are comfortable three-bedroom flats ranging from 55 sq m to 63 sq m. Their undoubted advantage is the impressive private green gardens, which cover up to 168 sq m, a rarity in this location. Prices for flats in the Kameralny Ruczaj development start from PLN 15,500 per square metre. This is an ideal proposition for those seeking a modern home with its own green space, ready for handover within the next few months.

Małgorzata Porzezińska, Sales Director at Archicom: We manage the sales process in our developments in such a way that the vast majority of flats find buyers whilst still under construction. As a result, the proportion of completed flats in the offering remains relatively small, accounting for only a small percentage of the total available stock. This is the standard operating model in the property development market, which allows for better planning of the investment process and matching the pace of sales to actual demand. At the same time, our portfolio includes projects at various stages of completion, ranging from developments just being launched for sale to those that are already finished, where customers can collect their keys almost immediately after purchase.

Currently, ready-to-move-in flats are available in several of our projects in Poland’s largest cities. In Warsaw, these include flats in the Modern Mokotów development, with prices starting from around PLN 685,000.

In Kraków, ready-to-move-in flats are available in the development on Dąbrowskiego Street, priced from around PLN 799,000. In Poznań, flats in the Wieża Jeżyce development can be purchased from around PLN 435,000, whilst in Łódź, in the Fuzja project, prices start from around PLN 393,000. The availability of specific flats and their floor areas are subject to rapid change.

Mariusz Gajżewski, Head of Sales, Marketing and Communication, BPI Real Estate Poland: We currently have developments in our portfolio where flats are ready to move into. These include the Chmielna Duo project in Warsaw, Panoramiqa and Cavallia in Poznań, and Czysta 4 in Wrocław. Prices vary depending on the location of the development, but we are talking about figures such as PLN 570,000 for 45 sq m in the Panoramiqa project, or PLN 970,000 for 32 sq m in Warsaw’s Chmielna Duo.

Furthermore, in Warsaw, we are at a very advanced stage of the PianoForte development, which offers apartments in a unique location, ready for immediate occupancy. Interest in ready-to-move-in flats remains stable, as some customers prefer the option of moving in quickly or starting to rent out the property. We see that customers looking for a flat to move into “right away” are very decisive and quick to make decisions.

Renata McCabe-Kudla, Country Manager at Grupo Lar Polska: We do not have such flats. We currently have flats on sale in the Moja Oszmiańska and Symfonia Praga developments, the construction of which we have recently commenced. The smallest flats are 34 sq m.

Joanna Chojecka, Sales and Marketing Director for Warsaw, Wrocław and Łódź at the Robyg Group: We offer ready-to-move-in studio flats in Warsaw, in the Osiedle Kameralne development. One-bedroom flats are currently available as part of a special promotion, with a discount of up to PLN 48,500. It is a green estate with a charming small lake. The entire development has been designed with residents’ comfort in mind, featuring numerous amenities and modern technological solutions. Osiedle Kameralne is a complex of modern buildings with varied architecture, situated in the old part of Bemowo, in Jelonki.

The Kameralne estate, which has been under development for many years, offers a full range of service and leisure facilities. The development is seamlessly integrated into the urban landscape, featuring a revitalised lake and accompanying parkland.

Agnieszka Gajdzik-Wilgos, Sales Manager at Ronson Development: In our projects, it is possible to purchase a flat or house and receive the keys immediately in several locations across Poland. In Warsaw, within the Zielono Mi I development, two-bedroom flats measuring 44 sq m are available from PLN 731,000.

In the Nova Królikarnia development, houses with a floor area of 207 sq m can be purchased for PLN 5,115,000, whilst in Eko Falenty, houses with a floor area of 96 sq m start from PLN 920,000.

In Wrocław, in the Viva III development, flats with a mezzanine measuring 48 sq m + 49 sq m are available from PLN 1,056,000. In Szczecin, in the Nowe Warzymice and Nowa Północ developments, flats of 90 sq m and 41 sq m are available for PLN 911,000 and PLN 425,000 respectively.

Andrzej Swoboda, Vice-President of the Management Board, CTE Group: The CTE Group offers ready-to-move-in three-bedroom flats in the Bakaliowe Estate, located on Lipa Piotrowska in Wrocław. This is an attractive proposition, offering rent-free, villa-style flats with separate entrances and gardens.

We are also completing the Świeradowska Apartments development. There are still a few studio flats and two-bedroom flats available. Our architectural concept proved successful in a competition organised by the Municipality of Wrocław, and the result is a source of great satisfaction for us. We will soon begin handing over the keys, and the cheapest flat, with an area of 26 sq m, can be purchased from PLN 454,000.

Marcin Michalec, Managing Director, Okam Capital: The last remaining flats and lofts ready for handover in our portfolio are currently available in the Strefa Progress development in Łódź. The cheapest unit, measuring 33 sq m, costs PLN 12,600 per sq m.

In the award-winning Warzelnia development in Warsaw, within the final historic building of the Bohema – Strefa Praga project, the last loft, measuring 84 sq m, is on sale at PLN 19,800 per sq m. A single apartment ready for handover is also available in the first phase of the CityFlow development in Warsaw’s Wola district. The nearly 93 sq m property costs PLN 25,000 per square metre.

In the coming months, we will complete our latest development in Łódź, Now, on Dowborczyków Street, as well as the final stages of the Inspire project in Katowice, located in the Valley of Three Ponds, and the second phase of the CityFlow development.

Kamil Rutkowski, CEO of Rutkowski Group: We have completed flats in the Ignatki Forest development near Białystok, where a 95 sq m flat costs PLN 8,676 per square metre, with a total price of PLN 831,334.

In the Ultra Marina development in Ełk, a 41 sq m flat costs PLN 355,711. In the Mono Apartamenty development in Ełk, a 65 sq m flat is available for PLN 434,869. In the Radosne Estate in Pisz, a 58 sq m flat can be purchased for PLN 425,226. In the Sobola Biel estate in Suwałki, a 42 sq m flat costs PLN 395,100.

Witold Kikolski, Member of the Management Board of MS Waryński Development S.A.: Our Stacja Ligocka development in Katowice is currently under construction, with completion scheduled for the second half of 2026.

Damian Tomasik, CEO of Alter Investment: As a land developer, we do not sell finished flats. We specialise in land development and preparing investment projects for implementation, which are then passed on to developers or investors.

A small proportion of our properties are fully ready for construction to begin and have planning permission. Examples include an intimate estate of eight detached houses in Pomlewo near Gdańsk, as well as a uniquely located plot in Jeziorany with access to the shoreline of Lake Ławki, prepared for a project comprising 19 high-end holiday homes.

Photo: Apartamenty Kamienskiego Wroclaw

Source: dompress.pl

Aleksandra Karczewska Joins Savills Poland Investment Advisory Team

Savills Poland has appointed Aleksandra Karczewska to its investment advisory team, where she takes on the role of Associate Director. She joined the firm in April 2026.

Karczewska has more than 13 years of experience in the commercial real estate sector, with a focus on office, logistics and retail transactions. Over the course of her career, she has advised a range of international investors and developers, including LaSalle Investment Management, Stena Real Estate, Echo Investment, KGAL, Uniqa, Wood & Company, Martley Capital, IROKO and CORUM.

Her transaction experience includes deals with a combined value exceeding €850 million. She has worked across the full investment process, including sourcing opportunities, financial analysis, due diligence coordination and transaction execution, on both the buy and sell side.

Among the transactions she has been involved in are the off-market sale of the Wronia 31 office building in Warsaw and the acquisition of two office properties in Kraków and Wrocław by Stena Real Estate from Skanska.

At Savills, she will focus on advising clients on investment transactions, supporting deal execution and contributing to business development activities within the team.

Before joining Savills, Karczewska worked at Colliers and previously at Burlington Real Estate, where she was involved in advisory work across the Central and Eastern European region. She began her career at Bank Pekao.

She holds a master’s degree in real estate from the University College of Estate Management in Reading, as well as a degree in finance and accounting from the Warsaw School of Economics. She has also completed postgraduate studies in property valuation at the Warsaw University of Technology and is a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

Offshore Wind Development Gains Scale in Poland

Offshore wind energy is becoming an increasingly important part of Poland’s economic development, with growing involvement from domestic companies and expanding industrial capacity. The sector is contributing to activity across manufacturing, logistics and services, while also creating demand for specialised skills.

Polish firms are taking part in various stages of offshore projects, including the production of steel components, development of port infrastructure and the installation and maintenance of wind farms. This reflects a broader shift towards greater local participation in a sector that has often been associated with international players.

The expansion of offshore wind is also influencing employment. Estimates suggest that up to 20,000 to 30,000 jobs could be created by 2030, covering roles such as engineers, technicians, logistics specialists and port operators. The sector is also contributing to the emergence of new professional specialisations linked to renewable energy.

Several infrastructure projects are already underway. The offshore terminal in Świnoujście, developed by the ORLEN Group, has been operational since mid-2025 and supports the installation of offshore wind components. In parallel, a new installation terminal is being developed at the Port of Gdańsk, while industrial facilities such as the Baltic Towers factory are producing structural elements for turbine towers.

One of the most advanced offshore wind developments is the Baltic Power project, a joint venture between the ORLEN Group and Northland Power. The project, located in the Baltic Sea, is expected to reach a capacity of around 1.2 GW and generate a meaningful share of Poland’s electricity demand once operational. Commissioning is planned for late 2026.

The development of offshore wind is also shaping supply chains within Poland. Domestic companies are involved in producing components, building onshore infrastructure and supporting installation activities. At the same time, ports and logistics hubs are being adapted to handle large-scale equipment and transport operations.

Over the longer term, offshore wind is expected to represent one of the largest areas of investment in Poland’s energy sector. The scale of planned projects indicates significant capital expenditure, alongside continued expansion of industrial capabilities and workforce development.

Despite its growth, the sector faces challenges, including public debate around environmental and economic impacts. Industry organisations and stakeholders are responding with information campaigns aimed at addressing concerns and providing data on the effects of offshore wind projects.

Overall, offshore wind development in Poland is progressing as part of a broader shift in the energy system, with increasing links to domestic industry and infrastructure. The extent to which local companies continue to expand their role in the supply chain will be a key factor in determining the sector’s long-term economic impact.

Galeria Katowicka Develops Accessibility Programme for Diverse Users

Galeria Katowicka is continuing to expand its accessibility initiatives, focusing on improving conditions for visitors with different needs in a high-traffic retail environment. Located at a major transport hub, the centre experiences high levels of noise and activity, which has influenced the development of measures aimed at reducing sensory overload and improving comfort.

The centre is building on its existing “Katowicka for Autism” initiative, one of the earlier programmes of this type in Poland’s retail sector. The project has been extended into a broader framework known as “Spectrum of Understanding”, introduced by APSYS across its managed properties. The programme is designed to support a wide range of users, including neurodivergent individuals, people with disabilities, older visitors and caregivers.

One of the key elements is a designated quiet room, intended to provide a space where visitors can reduce exposure to noise and other stimuli. The room is scheduled for further upgrades, supported by specialists in neurodiversity.

“Noise, light, announcements and heavy footfall can lead to sensory overload and reduce the comfort of using the retail space. The quiet room is a response to these challenges,” says Dorota Bartosiak.

“Public spaces still lack places conducive to quiet and regeneration, yet these have a significant impact on well-being,” adds Joanna Bylinka.

Additional measures include adjustments in selected retail units, where lighting and sound levels can be modified. The centre also provides a sensory guide and access to noise-cancelling headphones at the information desk.

Quiet hours have been introduced on a regular basis. During these periods, background music is turned off across the centre to create a more suitable environment for visitors sensitive to stimuli.

Staff training is also part of the programme, with sessions aimed at improving awareness of neurodiversity and supporting more effective communication with customers.

“April is Autism Awareness Month and a good opportunity to remind ourselves that inclusivity is now an integral part of responsible retail centre management,” says Anna Szczerkowska.

The initiatives are intended to improve the overall visitor experience and may serve as a reference for similar solutions in other retail locations.

Ada Walentek Appointed Head of Asset Management at Nhood for Poland and Romania

Ada Walentek has been appointed Head of Asset Management at Nhood for Poland and Romania. She will oversee asset management activities across both markets, including operational, financial, legal and technical aspects. She continues to serve as Head of Market for Nhood Services Poland.

In her new role, Walentek will be responsible for implementing the company’s asset management approach across the two countries, with a focus on performance, tenant relations and long-term value.

“The Polish and Romanian commercial property markets exhibit a similar investor structure and asset profile, as well as comparable operational challenges,” says Ada Walentek.

Walentek joined Nhood in 2021. Prior to that, she worked at Ceetrus Polska, where she held management roles, including managing director. Her earlier experience includes positions at Plaza Centers Management, Neinver and Klepierre.

She has been active in the real estate sector since 2001 and holds degrees from the University of Łódź and the Warsaw School of Management and Marketing, as well as a property agent licence.

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