Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming a structural factor in corporate operations rather than an emerging technology, according to a market report published by Colliers Hungary. The analysis, authored by Kristóf Tóth, Associate Director and Head of Research at Colliers, examines the economic impact of AI on Hungary and the wider region.

Romania's residential market slowed in the first half of 2026 following several years of strong growth, though data does not indicate a major correction, according to Colliers' half-year report. Nationwide, apartment sales declined by approximately 9%, while Bucharest ended the period with around 2% fewer transactions than in the same period of 2025, recovering much of the ground lost after a weak start to the year. The market remains above pre-pandemic levels, but high inflation, expensive borrowing and pressure on household budgets are making buyers more attentive to prices, the total cost of home ownership and development quality.

The first half of 2026 brought a shift in occupier demand in the Kraków office market towards the city centre, according to the "Office Occupier - Office Market in Kraków" report published by Newmark Polska. Although total take-up fell sharply compared with the same period in 2025, leasing activity recovered in the second quarter. The vacancy rate edged up to 19.0% across the city, though it stood at just 10.5% in the Centre.

Due diligence platform Drooms is forecasting a significant increase in real estate transactions in Germany in 2026, based on activity recorded on its platform in the first half of the year. Transactions in that period already reached around 75% of the full-year 2025 total, and if the trend continues, the number of deals could be 50% higher than in 2025. Across Europe, transactions are expected to rise by 27.24% for the full year.

Romania's construction market grew by approximately 12% in the first five months of 2026 compared with the same period last year, according to a Colliers report on the real estate market in the first half of 2026. The residential segment recorded the strongest growth at approximately 16%, followed by infrastructure projects, including roads, railways and hospitals, which rose by around 14% and account for more than half of total sector activity. The non-residential segment grew more slowly, at approximately 6%, as financing remains expensive and private investors are more cautious. The report notes that these figures measure the actual volume of construction works rather than the financial value of investments.

Demand in Hungary's residential property market remained subdued in August, holding at similarly low levels to July. According to data from property portal zenga.hu, enquiries nationally were 28% weaker than in the same period last year, while in Budapest the decline reached 47%, largely because last summer's figures were boosted by the announcement of the Otthon Start programme.

Prague's build-to-rent (BTR) market remains stable in the first half of 2026 while preparing for further expansion, according to BTR Group's Living Sector Market Report H1 2026. There are currently 3,400 BTR units in operation across 23 projects, with the total tracked market, including projects under construction and in preparation, reaching approximately 15,000 units. More than 1,000 new BTR units are expected to enter the Prague market in each of 2027 and 2028.

Poland's industrial and logistics market recorded a significant increase in leasing activity in the first half of 2026, according to a new report by AXI IMMO. Gross take-up rose by 21% year-on-year, while net take-up climbed by 58% year-on-year to exceed 2.1 million sqm. Total modern stock reached 38.01 million sqm at the end of June, with developers delivering 1.23 million sqm of new space during the period. Space under construction fell to 1.30 million sqm, down 11% year-on-year and the lowest level in more than nine years, with speculative projects accounting for 38.6% of the pipeline.

Bucharest has placed 21st in the Savills Power and Place Index Top 30, a global ranking that assesses cities with the strongest potential for future data centre development. The index evaluates locations based on criteria including energy availability, telecommunications infrastructure, access to resources and project delivery capability.

Commercial real estate investment in Slovakia reached €244 million across 8 transactions in the first half of 2026, according to analysis by CBRE Slovakia. Foreign investors accounted for 78% of total investment activity, equivalent to €190 million, with Czech investors representing 73% of that foreign share. Domestic investors contributed the remaining 22%, or €54 million.