Romania has risen in Europe's investment destination rankings, becoming one of the most attractive markets in the region alongside Poland for international investors, according to PwC Global CEO Survey 2026 data.
NEPI Rockcastle said its Q1 net rental and related income (NOI) reached €157.7 million, up 3.4% versus Q1 2025. Property NOI increased 3.2% to €155.4 million, while net revenue from energy activities rose to €2.3 million, reflecting the scaling of the group's renewable energy platform.
Administrative costs for modern office buildings in Romania are set to rise by approximately 10% in 2026 compared to last year, according to Colliers. The increases stem from higher property taxes, inflation and rising wages, with utility costs excluded as these are typically billed separately.
CEE real estate investment rebounded strongly in 2025, with volumes reaching €11.6 billion across six core markets, representing a 31% year-on-year increase according to Colliers.
Polish pharmaceutical company Zakłady Farmaceutyczne Polpharma has agreed to launch a voluntary public takeover offer (VTO) for all shares of Romanian drugmaker Biofarm, according to a regulatory filing.
Romania ranks first in the European Union for the real burden of electricity prices, with a nominal value 21% above the European average, according to an analysis published by the Intelligent Energy Association (AEI).
DHL Supply Chain and Pepco have extended their collaboration to strengthen distribution operations across Europe. The expanded partnership aims to ensure product availability, reduce delivery lead times, and enhance network performance for Pepco's growing store footprint.
CEE is transforming from Europe's periphery into a defence industry powerhouse, according to a new KPMG study. The region's combination of cost efficiency, industrial capacity, and strategic location is attracting investment as European defence spending increases.
MLP Group achieved 186% year-on-year record growth in contract values during Q1 2026 while significantly expanding its leased space.
Romania emerged as the most dynamic mergers and acquisitions (M&A) market in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), recording 9% growth in transaction numbers during 2025.
Real estate investor GTC has leased over 150,000 sqm of commercial space in 2025 across 30 office complexes and six shopping centres in CEE.
The modern office stock in Romania's main regional cities totals approximately 1.08 million sqm, with developers delivering no new projects in these markets over the past two years, according to a new report by Cushman & Wakefield Echinox.
Construction costs and plot acquisition have become the primary concerns for real estate developers in Central Europe in 2026, affecting 27% and 25% of companies respectively, according to a Deloitte report.
MLP Group reported in 2025 revenues of €99.2 million (+15% year-on-year) and net profit of €108.3 million (+25% year-on-year), while achieving a record 370,941 sqm of new and renewed lease agreements.
Bulgaria, Croatia, Poland, and Romania could raise labour productivity by up to 10 to 15% through wider adoption of digital technologies, particularly software and AI-enabled tools, according to a report by World Bank Group.
Commercial property investment in CEE rebounded strongly in 2025, with a combined volume of €11.3 billion across Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia. This represents a 34% year-on-year increase and stands 24% above the five-year average, according to data by Knight Frank.
The Middle East conflict is driving up energy prices and pushing inflation higher across CEE. Oil and gas shocks hit import-dependent economies hardest, forcing central banks to postpone planned rate cuts as markets turn risk-off, according to an analysis by ING Bank.
NEPI Rockcastle, the largest owner of shopping centres in CEE, said its net operating income rose 11.2% year-on-year to a record €618 million in 2025, while the distributable earnings increased 6.7% to €441 million.
In a video interview recorded at CEE Property Forum 2025 in Vienna, Marek Noetzel, COO of NEPI Rockcastle and incoming CEO from April 2026, shares his outlook on retail trade across the region, the company's growth strategy and his priorities for the next phase of leadership.
CEE property investment reached a turning point in 2025, with transaction volumes across the region's six main markets totalling €11.6 billion, representing 31% annual growth according to Colliers' latest analysis.
Romania's Q1 of 2026 marks a shift in economic pressure from small businesses to larger companies with significant economic impact.
Premier Restaurants Romania, the operator of McDonald's restaurants in Romania, has launched a national recruitment campaign as part of its expansion plans. The company aims to create over 500 new jobs in 2026, with more than 1,400 positions planned over the next three years.
Sphera Franchise Group, Romania's largest food service group, reported consolidated sales of €75.6 million in Q1 2026, up 4.2% compared to the same period last year. Growth was driven by the return to positive performance of KFC Romania and the strong evolution of Taco Bell.
Romanian travellers are turning the 1 June long weekend into an early-summer getaway moment, according to Kiwi.com booking data.
Hidroelectrica has signed a contract for the turnkey development of the Tudor Vladimirescu Photovoltaic Power Plant in Brăila County, marking a step in the company's strategy to diversify its renewable energy generation portfolio.