Crosspoint Analysis: Bucharest attracted only 29% of Romania’s commercial real estate investment volume in the first nine months of 2026

Bucharest, October 14, 2026. Bucharest attracted approximately EUR 190 million in commercial real estate investments between January and September 2026, representing only 29% of the total investment volume recorded nationwide, according to an analysis by Crosspoint Real Estate, the International Associate of Savills in Romania. This share is significantly below the level of over 50% typically recorded by Bucharest in recent years and reflects the growing attractiveness of regional cities for investors active in the local market.

“During the first nine months of this year, we observed a much more balanced distribution of investment capital across the country”, said Oana Popescu, Partner, Head of Residential & Investment Market, Crosspoint Real Estate.

“While Bucharest has traditionally concentrated the majority of large transactions, 2026 has seen sustained activity in regional cities, particularly within the retail sector. This shows that investors are paying increasing attention to opportunities outside Bucharest and have confidence in the long-term potential of regional markets”, she added.

The highest investment volumes were recorded in the western region of Romania, with more than EUR 217 million invested (33% of the total), followed by the Bucharest-Ilfov region, which attracted nearly EUR 190 million (29%). The eastern region ranked third, with more than EUR 100 million invested (17% of the total market), while the southern and central regions attracted investments of approximately EUR 70 million each.

At the same time, the origin of capital highlights the growing interest of international investors in Romania. During the first nine months of the year,** 83%** of the investment volume was generated by foreign capital.

Investors from the Middle East represented the largest source of capital, accounting for 44% of total transaction volume, followed by European investors, who generated 39% of investments. Foreign investors included both established players already active in the Romanian market and new entrants, signalling renewed confidence in Romania and an increasingly diversified investor base. Local investors were involved in several of the period’s landmark transactions, each exceeding EUR 40 million, and accounted for 17% of total invested capital.

The average transaction value doubled in the first nine months of 2026 compared with the same period of last year, exceeding EUR 40 million.

Overall, commercial real estate investment volume reached EUR 654 million during the first three quarters of 2026, already surpassing the level recorded throughout the whole of 2025. Retail accounted for the largest share of activity, at 61%, driven by both nationwide portfolio acquisitions and single-asset transactions in Bucharest. Office properties followed with 33%, while, in the absence of large portfolio transfers, the industrial and logistics sector accounted for 7% of total investment volume.

Prime yields remained stable at 7.5% for office and retail assets and between 7.5% and 7.75% for industrial properties. Investors’ continued preference for high-quality assets and stable income streams is expected to keep yields at current levels, with only limited downward adjustments possible in the near term.

“The market remained cautious and was largely dominated by investors who already know Romania well, but the entry of new players demonstrates that confidence in the local market is returning. We currently have several transactions under way that make us optimistic about the final quarter of the year, and the annual investment volume could approach EUR 1 billion”, concluded Oana Popescu.

See press articles:

Business Review Forbes România Agerpres Economedia