Housing prices are stabilising in Romania's major cities after months of sustained growth, with Oradea being the only exception where slight decreases were observed in October, according to the latest Imobiliare.ro index.
"In recent years, we have seen annual increases of over 15% in flat prices. Now we are entering a stabilisation phase, driven by new fiscal measures and adjusted expectations on both sides - buyers and sellers. We expect this stage to continue in the short term, followed by a gradual return to growth, as Romania remains one of the European countries where apartments are still affordable," said Daniel Crainic, Marketing Director at Imobiliare.ro, quoted in the company's press release.
According to the index, the average asking price for apartments in Cluj-Napoca reached EUR 3,181 per usable square metre in October, currently 65% higher than the national average.
The gap between old and new apartments is narrowing in Cluj-Napoca. Buyers now pay an average of EUR 3,205 per sqm for new-build homes (completed within the past five years), compared with EUR 3,180 per sqm for older properties.
In Brasov, prices stabilised in October after consecutive rises that placed the city second among Romania's most expensive markets. Over the past year, new apartments in Brasov have increased by 14% to an average of EUR 2,695 per sqm, while older units have seen a 10% rise to EUR 2,161 per sqm, according to Imobiliare.ro.
Meanwhile, in Bucharest, the average asking price reached EUR 2,149 per sqm in October, after a minor monthly variation of less than 1%. However, the capital has recorded some of the most significant annual increases nationwide.
Prices on the secondary market have risen faster, with apartments built before 2020 now listed at EUR 2,109 per sqm - up 17% year on year, the highest national rate. New-build homes appreciated by 13% over the same period, reaching EUR 2,338 per sqm.
In Craiova, asking prices also stabilised in October after a spectacular year that pushed the city to fourth place nationally, with an average price of EUR 2,070 per sqm.
"According to the Imobiliare.ro Index, this represents an annual increase of around 18%, higher than in stronger local markets - 17% in Bucharest, 12% in Constanta, and just 8% in Cluj-Napoca," the analysis noted.
Sibiu has been increasingly attracting major real estate players, with prices advancing steadily. The average asking price reached EUR 1,920 per sqm in October - nearly matching Constanta's level - following a 0.6% monthly and 11% annual increase. Prices in Constanta remained stable in October but are still 12% higher than a year ago.
The most affordable large urban centres remain Iasi and Timisoara. In Iasi, apartments are listed at an average of EUR 1,885 per sqm - roughly 11% higher than in October 2024. Timisoara shows a similar trend but remains around 42% cheaper than Cluj-Napoca.
In Oradea, the average asking price reached EUR 1,786 per sqm in October, following slight monthly decreases. Even so, the index shows a 10% annual rise.
Ploiesti continues to offer the lowest housing prices among secondary cities. The average asking price there stood at EUR 1,341 per sqm in October, marking a 17% year-on-year increase - the second fastest nationwide after Craiova.
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