Romanian construction activity increased by over 6% in the first two months of 2026, following a record 2025, and remained the country's only major economic sector showing growth in April, according to Colliers analysis based on Eurostat data.
Nearly 1,000 kilometres of motorway are currently under construction nationwide, amid public infrastructure investment. However, market prospects are becoming uncertain due to domestic political tensions and possible delays in securing European funding.
"The slowdown in the local economy has had a limited impact on the construction sector, where developers operate on long-term cycles and are already looking at what the market will look like in two to three years' time. At the same time, the market is being supported by public investment, which accounts for more than half of all construction activity and is progressing at a pace, both in road infrastructure and in projects such as railways, hospitals and stadiums," explains Alexandru Atanasiu, Partner and Head of Construction Services.
At the end of April, almost all economic confidence indicators monitored by the European Commission were in negative territory, with the most pessimistic outlook coming from the consumer and retail sectors. Services and industry were also slightly below the historical average of the confidence index, while construction remained the only sector still in positive territory, although at a lower level than the peaks recorded during 2023-2024.
The private sector remains cautious when launching new projects, amid high financing costs and economic uncertainty, further increasing the sector's dependence on public investment.
"Against the backdrop of domestic uncertainty and growing concerns regarding the absorption of European funds, the construction sector is at a critical juncture. On the one hand, authorities are promising a record year for public investment, estimated to exceed 8% of GDP in 2026, but there is also a risk that these expectations may prove overly optimistic. In an already strained market, with employment levels close to historic highs, any sudden slowdown in publicly funded works could generate effects across the entire sector," adds Alexandru Atanasiu.
The accelerated pace of public projects is putting pressure on labour availability and on the logistical capacity of construction companies, in a market that is already operating close to its operational limits. Colliers consultants warn that the market is facing mounting external pressures, as the prices of several construction materials have returned to an upward trend, with some approaching historic highs.
The construction sector's contribution to GDP exceeded 8% - the highest share in the European Union - while loans granted to construction companies exceeded RON 54 billion (€10.3 billion) at the end of March, up 16% year-on-year and almost double the level recorded in 2019.
