Apartment transactions in Bucharest decreased by 18.6% at the beginning of the year

The residential market in Bucharest started 2026 with an 18.6% decrease in the number of apartment transactions compared to the same period in 2025, according to the Crosspoint Real Estate analysis.

In Ilfov County, the decline was 10.9%. Although the total volume of transactions decreased by 8.5% compared to the previous year, the prices of new units increased by approximately 20%, reaching an average of 2,500 euros/sqm. Oana Popescu, Head of Residential at Crosspoint, explained that this situation is the result of an accumulated authorization deficit over time, combined with a demand in waiting. Deliveries of new homes increased by 2% in 2025, but this increase is considered artificial, generated by tax conditions that require the delivery of apartments by the end of the year. Additionally, Law 207/2025 will create difficulties for projects that rely on off-plan sales. Valentin Neagu, Managing Director of Crosspoint, emphasized that 2026 will be a year of recalibration, with a limited supply that will maintain prices. Construction costs in Romania increased by 9% in 2025, well above the European average of 1%, which affects the final prices of apartments. The macroeconomic context remains difficult, with an inflation rate of 7.3% and an unemployment rate of 6%. A market recovery is anticipated for 2027, when inflationary pressures may ease.