The UK recorded the largest volume of real estate investment activity in Europe in Q1 2026, with €11.7bn of deals transacting, according to new data from CBRE.
Germany (€8.6bn) ranked second with several other European countries recording large year-on-year increases, including Spain, up 93% to €6.3bn, and Belgium, up 89% to €2.6bn. This drove total European real estate investment activity to €53bn in Q1 2026 – up 3% on the same period last year.
By asset type, the living sector attracted 26% of total investment – the most of any sector – as volume increased 20% to €13.5bn. Office investment hit €10.7bn in Q1- up 6% on Q1 2025 – and the retail and industrial and logistics sectors recorded €7.8bn and €7.3bn of total investment respectively.
Steven Devaney, head of European investment research at CBRE, said: “In the first quarter, real estate investment volumes have been broadly in line with the same period last year despite a challenging geopolitical backdrop that has altered the interest rate outlook. Yet, investors are mindful of the changing economic environment and its implications for investment and financing strategies.
“As a result, we saw further deployment into living and healthcare as investors look for diversification and inflation protection in assets with durable demand drivers. Offices also continue to receive investor attention as conviction returns to the sector.”
