EU House Price Index Rises Over 60% Since 2010

Key Takeaways

• EU house prices increased strongly between 2010 and 2025, with the index reaching 161.52 (+61%).
• Growth was driven by demand exceeding supply, supported by low interest rates, rising incomes, and easier access to mortgages.
• The strongest house price increases are concentrated in Central and Eastern Europe, led by Hungary (391.44), Estonia (345.43), and Lithuania (306.54). These countries saw faster growth, consistent with a catch-up effect from lower starting price levels.
• Italy stands out as the main exception, with house prices slightly below 2010 levels, which reflects weaker housing demand over time, linked to the lasting effects of the financial crisis.

House Price Index in EU Countries

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House prices increased across most EU countries between 2010 and 2025. The EU house price index reached 161.52 in 2025, which meant that prices were about 61% higher than in 2010.

This broad rise reflects a housing market where demand outpaced supply. The shortfall was worsened by weaker investment in new housing after the 2008 financial crisis, and later by COVID-19-related construction disruptions.

Several factors also supported demand and pushed prices higher. These include:

• Lower interest rates. Cheaper borrowing made mortgages more affordable and helped more households buy homes.
• Easier access to credit. Mortgage lending expanded in many countries over time, although the scale varied by country.
• Rising disposable incomes, which meant buyers could afford higher prices.

Together, these factors pushed house prices upward across most EU markets.

Despite the overall EU increase, house price growth was especially strong in Central and Eastern Europe. Countries such as Hungary (391.44), Estonia (345.43), and Lithuania (306.54) show the strongest growth. 

This pattern reflects a catch-up effect. These countries started with lower house prices in 2010. As incomes increased and mortgage markets developed, prices rose faster than in more mature housing markets.

However, not all countries followed this pattern. Italy is the main exception. With a house price index of 98.40, house prices were slightly below their 2010 level.

This reflects Italy’s weaker housing-market performance over time, shaped by economic stagnation and the lasting effects of the Eurozone debt crisis. Together, these factors restrained demand and limited price growth compared with most other EU countries.

Across most of the European Union, housing markets moved in the same direction, but at very different speeds. 

Countries that started from lower price levels, especially in Central and Eastern Europe, saw the fastest growth. Meanwhile, more mature markets such as Germany rose more slowly, and a few countries showed little or no growth.