Real Estate: Romania attracted 5.4% of real estate investments in the 6 of most important economies in the area

The Romanian real estate investment market attracted transactions of about 300 million euros in the first half of 2026, on the drop compared to 400 million euros a year ago, that is 5% of the total volume recorded in the most important six economies in Central and Eastern Europe – Bulgaria, Czechia, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Hungary, according to data released by a real estate consulting company.   At regional level, investments reached 5.9 billion euros, 7% over the level recorded in the same period of 2025, according to the Colliers report “CEE Investment Scene H1 2026” released on Thursday.   The return of capital remains selective, investors preferring properties that offer stable incomes, good energy performance and clear prospects in creating long term assets.   Regional investment activity in semester 1 exceeded both the average recorded in the last 5 years – 4.6 billion euros, and the average of the last decade, of 5.1 billion euros. Throughout the year, Colliers estimates a regional volume of 12.5-13 billion euros, exceeding the 11.6 billion euros recorded in 2025 and very close to the highs of 2017-2019. The regions begins the second half of the year with a more solid position than anticipated at the beginning of 2026, backed by resuming transactions and an active pipeline, real estate analysts say.   The Romanian market is more diverse, with interests and transactions in all big real estate sectors. Office buildings have returned to investors' attention and generated about 60% of the volume transactioned in semester 1, the highest level after 2022. The percentage is expected to drop in the second half of the year when important transactions will close down in other segments.   “Influenced by the limited offer of available properties, the investment volume remains below the level suggested by the investors' interest and the dimensions of local economy. In semester 1, Romania attracted only 5.4% of the investment volume of six most important economies in the area, although its cumulated GDP shares of those markets is about 18%. The difference shows that there is an important potential for the local market,” Robesrt Miklo pointed out.   At regional level, Poland consolidated its leading position with investments over 3 billion euros in the first half of the year, representing 52% of the total volume and the best result since 2018. The activity was backed by important retail transactions, for rentals, logistic and offices, while the retail segment reached over one million euros.   Czechia ranked second, with investments over 1.4 billion euros, against 2.2 billions in the same period of 2025, while Hungary attracted about 600 million euros, the best result for the first semester in 2021.In Central and Eastern Europe, offices returned to the first position in investors' preferences, with 29% of the regional volume in semester 1, against 23% in the same period of 2025, followed by retail with 27% and residential with 19%, while the share of the industrial and logistic sectors dropped to 17%. The interest in offices concentrates on premium buildings, energy efficient and with good location, while older buildings could become opportunities for modernization or reconversion.   According to the report, Romania continues to offer attractive profits, compared to more mature markets in the area. In Bucharest, they maintain at 7.5% for offices, 7.75% for industrial and logistic areas and 7.25% for commercial areas, exceeding the levels of Warsaw, Prague or Bratislava. This advantage can back the investors' interest, but must be analysed together with market liquidity, stock quality, income stability and local macroeconomic risks, the report points out.   For the secondpart of the year, consultants' prospects remain prudently optimistic. Central and Eastern Europe continues to grow more rapidly than Western Europe, but evolutions are different from one country to another.   Poland remains the most powerful large economy in the area, Czechia advances moderately, Hungary is recovering following stagnation, while Romania and Slovakia are facing a more difficult macroeconomic context.   For the euro zone, Colliers estimates a temporary slowdown of economic growth to 0.5% in 2026, followed by a return to 1.1% in 2027, which maintains the relative growth advantage of some Central and East European markets.   The main risks for the second half of the year are the high interest rate level, Eurobor increase, the refinancing need of some credits and geopolitical tensions, which may affect both financing conditions and supply chains. Pressures ae amplified by the weskness of German industry, commercial uncertainties, the evolution of energy prices, especially for regional economies depending on exports.   At the same time, investments in infrastructure, defense, energy transition, artificial intelligence, reindustrialization and production relocation closer to European markets can generate new opportunities for the real estate sector.   Colliers is a global company for professional services and investment management , with a diverse business model that operates through three top platforms: Real Estate Services, Engineering and Investment Management.