Bucharest's residential market recovered much of the ground lost after a weak start to 2026, ending the first half with apartment transactions down just 2% year-on-year, according to Colliers. Developers are also accelerating preparations for new projects, with the net floor area authorised for residential buildings in Bucharest increasing 3.6-fold in the first five months — the strongest pace in five years. Nationwide, however, apartment sales fell 9%, reflecting continued caution amid inflation, high financing costs and pressure on real incomes. Trends varied across regional cities: Cluj-Napoca recorded a 16% fall in transactions and Iași dropped 11%, while Timișoara posted a modest 3% increase.
Mortgage-backed purchases held steady at around 58% of the total, showing that buyers have largely adjusted to the higher interest-rate environment. July may bring a temporary spike in registered transactions as the deadline approaches for completing purchases eligible for the reduced VAT rate — a similar effect was seen last year. These peaks do not alter the underlying trend, however: buyers are comparing projects more carefully, weighing not only price but also transport access, energy efficiency, construction quality and ongoing housing costs.
"After several years in which many projects were postponed or stalled, developers are once again taking a closer look at the new housing pipeline. This is not an exuberant recovery, but a measured repositioning. New supply remains limited, latent demand is present, and Bucharest continues to need well-connected homes that reflect buyers' actual budgets," said Gabriel Blăniță, Director of Valuation & Advisory Services at Colliers Romania. He added: "Differentiation is no longer merely a marketing consideration; it is becoming a prerequisite for absorption. Transport infrastructure will redraw Bucharest's residential attractiveness map — areas currently regarded as secondary could become significantly more appealing with better metro, tram or road access."
A broader economic recovery is not expected before 2027, though Colliers believes the residential market can begin laying the foundations for a new cycle as early as 2026. Limited supply, permitting difficulties in previous years and accumulated latent demand could maintain upward pressure on prices, particularly in well-positioned projects.
