The Romanian real estate market will enter a rhythm of adjustment and repositioning in 2026, in the context of a need for sustained budgetary reforms and a geopolitical context that maintains a high level of uncertainty, estimate Colliers consultants.
According to the report "Top 10 predictions for the Romanian real estate market in 2026", the current year will be one in which the resilience of the economy and real estate market participants will be tested, and the differences between well-calibrated and reactive strategies will become increasingly visible.
"Romania's economy could grow by just over 1% in 2026, similar to the pace in 2025, estimate Colliers consultants, who warn that risks remain high and that a weaker outcome is very possible. The year will be a difficult one, marked by the need for significant fiscal adjustments, a complicated domestic decision-making process and an unstable external context. There are also positive factors, such as European funds and a possible easing of monetary policy starting in the second quarter, but their impact will be limited and will be seen gradually. In this context, fiscal consolidation becomes a test of macroeconomic credibility, and a possible improvement in the rating outlook is possible towards the end of the year only if the assumed measures are consistently applied. Looking ahead, 2026 could pave the way for an economic acceleration in 2027, but, in the short term, the economy will have to go through a "a complex adjustment period", the specialist report states.
The consultants also appreciate the fact that 2026 could be a very good year for transport infrastructure in Romania, with over 300 kilometers of highways and expressways that could be put into use, if the current pace is maintained and promises are fulfilled.
"These investments are mainly supported by European funds, which means that they directly depend on political stability and the authorities' ability to complete certain reforms. Beyond the direct economic impact, the infrastructure will accelerate the reconfiguration of the investment map, offering more visibility to secondary and medium-sized cities and reducing pressure on Bucharest. At the same time, the expansion of transport networks will open access to new areas of real estate development, which until recently were not considered viable from an investor perspective. At the same time, there remains the risk that administrative delays or changes in political priorities will affect the project calendar," the document states.
According to the cited source, the predictability of fiscal policies and budgetary discipline are becoming key factors for maintaining economic stability and supporting medium-term investments.
The office market is entering a favorable period for owners this year, amid the lack of new spaces and high development costs, anticipate Colliers consultants, who also point out that the differences between premium and older buildings will increase, and market interest will increasingly focus on well-positioned and energy-efficient projects.
Also, the industrial and logistics sector will remain solid in 2026, supported by infrastructure expansion and increasingly diverse demand.
"While total rental volume may fall slightly from the record year of 2025, demand is balancing out, with higher interest from both manufacturing and logistics. The increased interest in strategic industries reflects not only economic factors, but also changes in the geopolitical context and the need to secure production chains, contributing to market diversification. In addition to these segments, 2026 could bring more interest from companies in strategic industries, including defense and related sectors, which broadens the demand base. At the same time, interest from Asian investors (especially those from China) is growing substantially. At the same time, high construction and financing costs may slow down deliveries of new space, sustaining pressure on rents and favoring well-positioned, adapted projects tenants' needs in the medium term," the report highlights.
For the retail market, the outlook for 2026 is for stability, with medium-term growth prospects. At the same time, the investment market could start to recover, as yields start to move favorably in Western Europe and risk appetite gradually returns.
"In this context, top assets could benefit from a slight decrease in yields, especially if the expected adjustments in Western European markets are confirmed (there are already positive signals observed at the end of 2025). Even so, investors will remain selective, and the differences between quality and secondary assets will increase, in a market where decisions will be increasingly weighed," notes the cited source.
The land market is expected to perform better than 2025, especially for land intended for residential, industrial and retail projects.
"An important signal for 2026 is the return of new demand over the past year (especially in the latter part of the year), namely investors who are actively starting acquisition processes, not just closing deferred transactions from previous years. In this context, investors with liquidity and a long-term perspective may have an advantage, in a market where flexible transaction solutions, such as joint-venture partnerships, are increasingly preferred to direct acquisitions," the specialists believe.
As for the residential market, it will remain under pressure in 2026, due to an insufficient number of new homes, with direct effects on prices and accessibility.
The specialist analysis highlights that, against the backdrop of a still relatively decent labor market, in large cities, demand continues to far exceed supply, while deliveries of new projects are limited by high construction costs, more difficult access to financing and administrative bottlenecks. Thus, interest in PRS (housing for rental) projects is expected to grow, against the backdrop of high demand for rentals and increasing difficulties in accessing property.
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