Romania's land market closed 2025 with transaction volumes similar to 2024 levels, totaling nearly €450 million. Political uncertainty and fiscal adjustments affected the first half of the year, but market sentiment improved after elections, with the final months delivering some of the strongest results in recent years, according to Colliers.
"2025 was a year of caution, but not of stagnation, marked by political uncertainty, fiscal adjustments and urban planning blockages, particularly in Bucharest," explains Sînziana Oprea, Director of Land Agency at Colliers Romania. "The strong finish to the year confirmed robust demand for well-located land, and the competition between residential, retail and industrial developers points to a market that is adapting and growing, not contracting."
Bucharest accounted for around 60% of land transactions, down from 70-80% in previous years, as urban planning blockages in the capital and increased infrastructure investment nationwide shifted investor interest towards areas surrounding Bucharest and regional cities. The residential sector remains the main driver, generating approximately two-thirds of land transactions in Bucharest through residential schemes and mixed-use developments.
Some plots purchased in 2025 for industrial projects had initially been earmarked for residential developments, highlighting the adaptation of investment strategies. Industrial developers, including urban logistics and data centers, have become increasingly active in the land market, competing directly with residential uses for certain plots.
For 2026, Colliers anticipates cautious optimism, supported by transactions initiated in 2025 and continued infrastructure investments nationwide. "We are seeing growing interest in flexible transaction structures, such as joint ventures, delayed payments or various forms of partnership, which demonstrates the market's ability to adapt to a more complex environment," concludes Oprea.
