Romania MarketBeat

Romania had a robust economic growth of 2.7% in Q1, with solid perspectives for the coming period, as an overall annual rise of around 3% is expected across 2024. Inflationary pressures remain. The monetary policy rate (7%) has not seen any cuts so far, but possible shifts are anticipated by mid-year.

Office 

Q1 2024 leasing activity registered a significant 63% y-o-y increase. The vacancy rate has decreased slightly, with no new projects delivered in Q1 and expectations of a limited pipeline. There has been no significant movement in terms of rental levels in Bucharest at the beginning of 2024, with the prime headline rent in the CBD area unchanged.

Logistics 

Leasing activity in Q1 2024 was down compared with the same period a year ago. Fewer completions are expected this year as speculative development projects continue to slow. Prime headline rents remained stable.

Retail 

The delivery of new retail projects in Romania was slower than expected during Q1, as only one scheme was completed, and the lowest recorded quarterly level since Q1 2017. Development activity will be more consistent in the coming months. Prime headline rents for shopping centres remained stable.