Romanian real estate market sees rising prices and smaller apartment sizes

The Romanian real estate market is experiencing a phenomenon similar to ‘shrinkflation,’ where new apartments are becoming more compact while prices rise significantly. Data from Imobiliare.ro indicates that between 2023 and 2026, average prices for new homes in Bucharest increased by nearly 50%, while usable surface areas decreased by up to 4% in the capital and 5% nationwide.

Developers are attributing this trend to rising construction material costs, fiscal changes, and labor challenges. To compensate for the smaller footprints, new residential projects are focusing on enhanced amenities and lifestyle integration. Key improvements include higher energy efficiency, better ergonomics, and increased community facilities. For instance, the prevalence of underfloor heating in new listings rose from 46% in 2023 to nearly 80% in 2026. Other common features now include air conditioning, video intercoms, electric vehicle charging stations, and access to fitness centers or pools.

Market trends show a shift toward larger residential complexes. In 2026, approximately 83% of new apartments for sale were part of developments with more than 60 units, up from 62% in 2023. These projects increasingly emphasize security, with 84% mentioning on-site security services and 70% offering video surveillance.