Bucharest office vacancy hits lowest point since Q2 2021

Business Forum
Companies have contracted office spaces for over 7,000 new employees in the first half of 2025, with new demand totaling 64,300 sqm on the Bucharest market, according to a report by Cushman & Wakefield Echinox.

The total number of employees working in modern office buildings (classes A and B) has exceeded 340,000, representing approximately 30% of the total salaried workforce in the capital.

Demand for office space was primarily driven by companies in the IT&C sector (25%), followed by FMCG and retail operators (17%), and the financial sector (15%).

Although the total demand in H1 2025 (121,400 sqm) recorded a 28% decrease compared to the same period last year, activity accelerated in Q2, with a 37% increase over Q1, reaching 70,100 sqm transacted.

Mădălina Cojocaru, Partner, Office Agency at C&W Echinox, said: “The Bucharest office market remains solid, even if total demand has experienced a temporary decline. Interest in modern, efficient, and well-located spaces is high, especially in central areas and the CBD, where the vacancy rate is very low. As no new deliveries are planned for 2025, this situation favours the rapid occupation of existing spaces and puts pressure on rents in submarkets with limited availability. By the end of the year, we estimate a stabilisation of demand and sustained activity in relocation and office portfolio optimisation processes.”

The vacancy rate in Bucharest continued to decrease, reaching 13.4%, the lowest level since Q2 2021. This trend is expected to continue, given that no new building deliveries are scheduled for 2025, and demand will focus on existing available spaces.

Rents remained stable in the first half of the year, with monthly benchmark values ranging from €20-21 per sqm in the CBD and €15-18 per sqm in central areas.

RECOMMENDED
Regional retail centres lead Romanias property investment in 2025
Real estate

Regional retail centres lead Romania's property investment in 2025

Shopping centres outside Bucharest were the most attractive real estate asset class for investors in 2025, accounting for almost 40% of the total transaction volume, according a new report by Cushman & Wakefield Echinox. Bucharest office buildings came second, with a 30% share in the total investment volume.

CPI Romania ends 2025 with 280,000 sqm of offices in Bucharest
Real estate

CPI Romania ends 2025 with 280,000 sqm of offices in Bucharest

CPI Romania concluded 2025 by strengthening its position as a key player on the Romanian real estate market, with a portfolio of 280,000 sqm of modern office space, representing 8% of Bucharest's modern stock. The shopping centres in the company's portfolio recorded an occupancy rate of 98%, while Sun Plaza Bucharest launched a remodelling process.

Bucharest office market sees 25% yearly fall of leasing demand in 2025
Real estate

Bucharest office market sees 25% yearly fall of leasing demand in 2025

Bucharest's office market recorded its first year without new project deliveries in over two decades in 2025. On this backdrop, total leasing demand fell by around 25% year-on-year to approximately 250,000 sqm, while new space take-up totalled close to 90,000 sqm, according to Colliers data.

Romanian investors dominate commercial property market in 2025
Real estate

Romanian investors dominate commercial property market in 2025

Romanian investors led the commercial real estate investment market in 2025, accounting for 34% of total transaction value worth €579.4 million, according to a study by Fortim Trusted Advisors, an alliance member of BNP Paribas Real Estate.

Property leasing in Romania keeps steady in Q3, says CBRE
Real estate

Property leasing in Romania keeps steady in Q3, says CBRE

CBRE reports that office demand in Bucharest remained stable in Q3 2025, with total leasing activity reaching 61,500 sqm, consistent with the previous quarter but down from last year's quarterly average and the first half of this year. Despite the constant activity levels, market dynamics shifted this quarter as net demand increased by 44% compared to Q2 2025, totalling 41,700 sqm.

RECOMMENDED FROM THE HOME PAGE
Industry

Uber launches hotel bookings and AI voice features

Uber Technologies announced new products and features at its annual Go-Get product event, including hotel bookings and travel tools that are planned to roll out globally in the coming months.

Finance

CEC Bank gets rating upgrade from Fitch

Fitch Ratings has upgraded CEC Bank's Long-Term Issuer Default Rating from BB to BB+ with a Stable Outlook, following the publication of Fitch's updated Bank Rating Criteria on 8 May 2026.

Industry

EIB to advise Antibiotice on governance upgrade

The European Investment Bank (EIB) will advise Antibiotice, Romania's largest pharmaceutical company with majority Romanian capital, on strengthening its corporate governance to support future growth. Under a new advisory services agreement, the EIB will work with Antibiotice to align its risk-management framework and business operations with international best practice in the pharmaceutical sector.

READ MORE
Business Forum  |  14 May, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Business Forum  |  14 May, 2026 at 5:00 PM