Romania’s real estate investment market recorded transactions worth approximately EUR 300 million in the first half of 2026, down from around EUR 400 million in the same period last year, according to a Colliers report. The consultancy estimates that the full-year volume could approach EUR 1 billion if several large transactions currently underway are completed.

Romania accounted for roughly 5% of the EUR 5.8 billion invested across the six largest Central and Eastern European economies: Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia.

Regional investment increased by 7% year-on-year and exceeded both the five-year average of EUR 4.6 billion and the ten-year average of EUR 5.1 billion. Colliers expects the regional total to reach EUR 12.5-13 billion in 2026, compared with EUR 11.6 billion last year.

“The decline in transaction volumes in Romania during the period under review should be seen in a broader context,” said Robert Miklo, partner and head of capital markets at Colliers.

He noted that several deals are in progress, while the sale of a MAS retail portfolio to AFI Europe was completed shortly after the end of the reporting period, shifting the transaction into the third quarter.

“If other large transactions currently in progress are also completed, 2026 has the potential to close with investment volumes of close to EUR 1 billion, which would make it only the second year since 2007 in which the market has reached this threshold,” Miklo said.

Office properties generated approximately 60% of Romania’s transaction volume during the first half, their highest share since 2022. Colliers expects that percentage to decline as major deals in other sectors are completed during the remainder of the year.

“Influenced by the limited supply of properties available for sale, investment volumes remain below the level suggested by both investor appetite and the size of the local economy. In the first half of the year, Romania attracted just 5.4% of the investment volume recorded across the six largest economies in the region, despite accounting for almost 18% of their combined GDP. This gap shows that the local market still has substantial room for growth,” added Robert Miklo.

In Bucharest, prime yields stood at approximately 7.5% for offices, 7.75% for industrial and logistics properties, and 7.25% for shopping centers. These levels remained above those recorded in Warsaw, Prague, and Bratislava.

Colliers said investors are increasingly prioritizing assets with stable income, good energy performance, and clear long-term value prospects. Properties with weaker energy performance face tighter lending standards and lower demand.

“Financing conditions are favorable, but the advantage lies with high-quality properties with stable income, credible sponsors, and clear sustainability strategies,” Miklo said.

Across Central and Eastern Europe, Poland led the market with more than EUR 3 billion in transactions, representing 52% of the regional total. The Czech Republic followed with more than EUR 1.4 billion, while Hungary recorded close to EUR 600 million.

Offices accounted for 29% of regional investment, followed by retail at 27%, residential at 19%, and industrial and logistics assets at 17%.

irina.marica@romania-insider.com

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