Romania’s real estate investment market recorded a transaction volume of €253 million in H1 2026, according to CBRE Romania. While overall investment declined 35% year on year, retail emerged as the dominant asset class in the second quarter, accounting for around 80% of the €102 million invested during the period.
CBRE expects a strong recovery in the second half of the year, with transactions worth more than €800 million currently in advanced stages. Two major retail transactions, together with deals in the logistics, office and hotel sectors, are expected to push total investment volume above 2025 levels.
Romania’s retail market also continued to expand. Modern retail stock reached 4.86 million sqm by the end of Q2, with 84,000 sqm delivered during the first half of the year. A further 68,000 sqm is scheduled for completion by year-end, while almost 300,000 sqm is planned or under construction for delivery in 2027 and 2028.
International retailers continued to expand their presence, with lululemon opening its first Romanian store, while brands including Primark, Action, Rituals and Elisabetta Franchi added new locations. Prime shopping center rents remained stable at €87/sqm/month, while prime high street rents in Bucharest increased by more than 18% year on year.
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