Bucharest is standing out on the residential investment map of Central and Eastern Europe, with new-build home prices remaining more affordable than in Budapest and rental yields comparable to those on the Polish market, according to an analysis by Cordia, a residential developer and investor active across the region.
"These price differences, which can be substantial in some cases, may also attract the attention of Hungarian investors. For our cross-border projects, we naturally assist buyers wishing to purchase a new-build home either elsewhere in the region," said Áron Görög, Head of Sales at Cordia. He added that "prices are strongly influenced not only by differences in underlying costs, but also by the complexity of administrative processes, varying levels of demand and the range of government support schemes available to buyers."
While the average price of new-build homes in Budapest has exceeded €5,200 per sqm and prices in Warsaw are approaching €4,700 per sqm for unfinished units, the average price of new homes in Bucharest has remained below €3,600 per sqm, even after significant growth over the past year. Gross rental yields in Bucharest stand at approximately 5–6%, a level comparable to that seen across major residential markets in Poland. The analysis notes that headline prices alone do not offer a complete comparison: developers in Warsaw traditionally sell homes in an unfinished condition, adding fit-out costs for buyers, while construction costs in Bucharest and Warsaw are approximately 25–30% lower than in Budapest.
Tax differences also shape the investment calculus. In Hungary, VAT on newly built homes is currently 5% and can be reclaimed in designated brownfield regeneration areas. In Poland, the rate is 8% for residential properties up to 150 sqm, rising to 23% above that threshold. In Romania, VAT returned to 21% in August 2026 following a period of reduced taxation.
Cordia is already seeing interest from Hungarian buyers in Centropolitan, the company's newest residential development in Bucharest, which will comprise 274 apartments. The project includes coworking spaces, a gastro bar, dedicated areas for children and teenagers, and fitness and yoga facilities, amenities the group also incorporates into its projects in other European markets.
