European investors continue to lead commercial real estate investment across the continent, accounting for 48% of activity in Q1 2026, according to BNP Paribas Real Estate data. American investors follow with 31%, while Asia Pacific investors represent just 7% and Middle Eastern investors 2%.

Commercial real estate companies remain optimistic about 2026, with 83% expecting revenue growth, according to a Deloitte report. This represents a slight decline from 88% last year, while 68% plan to increase expenses in 2026.

Romania's construction sector represents nearly 8% of GDP in the past four quarters, the highest share in the European Union, according to Eurostat data analysed by Colliers. This level significantly exceeds the EU-27 average of 5% and confirms construction's growing importance in the local economy. Romania also recorded the second-fastest post-pandemic growth in construction activity within the EU.

The first half of 2025 has confirmed a strong return of investor activity in Central and Eastern Europe. The Czech Republic, with the most remarkable performance, is emerging as the regional leader, ahead of even Poland, according to the latest iO Partners report.

M Core has started development of M Park Galați, the city's first retail park, on a 100,000 sqm plot acquired in December 2024.

Urbano Group has secured a financing of over €16 million from BT for the development of Urbano Shopping & Living, a new commercial project located in the Cluj metropolitan area with a total planned investment of over €100 million.

Over the past decade, Romania has faced increasing pressure - both from domestic and from international institutions - to modernize its property tax system. With structural challenges in housing affordability and significant fiscal constraints at the national level, local tax reform, as outlined in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), has emerged as a critical priority, writes Daniel Grigore, Director, Corporate Income Tax, Deloitte Romania.

The first quarter of 2025 has been marked by extraordinary activity on the Czech commercial real estate market. According to Colliers, total investment volume reached €1.48 billion, already surpassing the full-year 2023 results of €1.15 billion. Several large transactions with a value above €100 million contributed to this record.

European commercial real estate investment volumes are forecast to grow by 13% in 2025, but Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) is expected to outperform this average, with a projected 32% year-on-year increase, reports Savills. 

During a geopolitically turbulent period, the core capital is usually focusing on the domestic market. However, CEE investors do not hesitate to seek opportunities in neighbouring markets, bearing in mind the importance of diversification and the need for strategic partnerships to manage risks and maximise returns. These strategies and challenges have been discussed at Bratislava Property Forum 2025 in the panel focused on commercial real estate, chaired by Rudolf Nemec MRICS, Partner & Head of Capital Markets at Cushman & Wakefield Slovakia.