Living and logistics to drive European investment in 2025

Business Forum
Investors across Europe will continue to focus on sectors with strong structural tailwinds, such as living and logistics, according to a Knight Frank report. 

Prime logistics yields have stabilized in many markets and are starting to compress in cities like Madrid and Amsterdam. The retail sector, following significant repricing in the last years, is drawing renewed investor interest, while the office sector, supported by a limited supply of ESG-compliant prime assets, remains a priority for domestic investors. 

Meanwhile, significant capital is ready to be deployed, particularly in the value-add space, with core capital gradually returning. Private investors have become an important source of capital, diversifying their focus across asset classes. 

Mike Bowden, Managing Director & Co-Head of Capital Markets, Europe at Knight Frank, said: "As we look to 2025, Europe's real estate markets are in an exciting position, poised for recovery. Stabilizing valuations and a potential shift in monetary policy are setting the stage for a recovery and bringing forth cautious optimism from investors.” 

In the Czech Republic, expected deal closures by year-end or early 2025 are likely to surpass last year's volumes, boosting investment activity further into next year. Domestic buyers maintain dominance with over 80% market share, a trend expected to continue into 2025. 

Meanwhile, office space demand is set to decline further in 2025, impacted by headcount reductions in the IT&C sector, the largest local driver of demand, and tax increases affecting the economic climate. 

Rental rates, which have risen by €1-2/sqm in key locations over recent years, are expected to stabilise in 2025. Future increases depend on the economic performance, but new projects scheduled for 2026-2027 are already quoting rents approximately €2/sqm higher than existing properties. 

On the German market, easing monetary policy is expected to support investor activity, with rising take-up of ESG-compliant office spaces driving prime rental growth. 

At the same time, the French market is entering a new cycle, with retail and logistics sectors showing growth potential amid a rebound in household consumption. 

Across Italy, transaction volumes are projected to rise to 10-year average levels, with sustained interest in logistics, residential, and hotel assets. 

In Spain, economic momentum is driving growth, with prime rents expected to rise across high-demand sectors like offices and logistics. 

RECOMMENDED
CTP reports 15% rental income growth on nine months
Real estate

CTP reports 15% rental income growth on nine months

Industrial developer CTP reported net rental income growth of 15.4% year-on-year to €549 million in the first nine months of 2025. The company achieved like-for-like rental growth of 4.5%, driven by indexation and lease renewals.

Czech Republic outperforms neighbouring markets
Real estate

Czech Republic outperforms neighbouring markets

The first half of 2025 has confirmed a strong return of investor activity in Central and Eastern Europe. The Czech Republic, with the most remarkable performance, is emerging as the regional leader, ahead of even Poland, according to the latest iO Partners report.

Romania among EUs most property tax-friendly countries
Real estate

Romania among EU's most property tax-friendly countries

Romania stands out in the European fiscal landscape with property taxation levels significantly lower than the EU average, according to an analysis by Cushman & Wakefield Echinox based on Eurostat data. This position has enhanced the attractiveness of the local real estate market and established a favorable tax framework for owners and investors.

RECOMMENDED FROM THE HOME PAGE
Economy

Romania's budget deficit drops to 5.72% on 10 months

Romania's consolidated general budget recorded a deficit of €21.8 billion (RON 108.87 billion) in the first ten months of 2025, representing 5.72% of GDP. This marks a decrease of €110 million compared to the same period in 2024, when the deficit stood at 6.22% of GDP.  

Agriculture

Agroland opens two new stores with €350,000 investment

Romanian entrepreneurial group Agroland, active in retail, agribusiness, food production and animal nutrition, continues its expansion strategy by opening two new stores in Mega format in Odorheiu Secuiesc and Orăștie. With these openings, the Mega network reaches 36 units nationwide.

Energy

Over 27% of Romanians interested in buying heat pumps

Although heat pump technology for heating and cooling is increasingly present in public discussions, the actual level of knowledge and usage remains low in Romania, according to research conducted for the despre-energie.ro platform, a project by E.ON and Delgaz Grid companies.

READ MORE
Business Forum  |  27 November, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Business Forum  |  27 November, 2025 at 5:35 PM