European investors are shifting capital from traditional commercial real estate to operational sectors, with purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) emerging as the most sought-after segment for the first time, according to Savills' investor sentiment survey.

Driven by large-scale mergers and acquisitions, European multifamily investment volumes in the 12 countries analysed reached approximately €92.3 billion in 2021, a 79% increase y-o-y and a 120% increase on the past five-year average, according to Savills. In Poland, multifamily investment activity hit an all-time high of close to €725 million in 2021.

Driven by large-scale mergers and acquisitions, European multifamily investment volumes in the 12 countries analysed reached approximately €92.3 billion in 2021, a 79% increase year-on-year and a 120% increase on the past five-year average, Savills announces. 

According to Savills, European multifamily is now firmly established as Europe’s second-biggest real estate sector. At €24.1 billion it captured 23% of the investment activity in H1 2021 across the 12 countries that the international real estate advisor monitors. This compares to a five-year average of 16%. Office investment was the highest, accounting for 28% of the total, at €29.3 billion.

Multifamily investment has proven to be the most resilient real estate sector in Europe during 2020 and the new core, with a 6% increase year on year and a 17% increase on the past 5-year average, according to Savills.