Housing is a significant issue across Europe, and it’s not just about finding a place to live; it’s also about the price tags attached. In 2026, the landscape for apartment prices in Europe is eye-watering, especially in capital cities, major urban areas, and popular tourist destinations. According to the “ping the World’s Prices 2026” report from Deutsche Bank Research Institute, we’re diving into which cities are topping the charts for the most expensive places to buy an apartment. So, how much does a square metre cost? Let’s break it down.
At the top of the list, we find two Swiss cities leading the pack—Zurich and Geneva. Zurich, with a staggering price of €22,910 per square metre, and Geneva trailing not far behind at €19,439. Can you believe that for an 80-square-metre apartment, you’re looking at nearly €1.8 million in Zurich and about €1.6 million in Geneva? That’s a whole lot of cash!
London doesn’t lag too far behind, landing in third place at €17,241, which translates to around €1.4 million for a similar-sized apartment. Isn’t that wild? Just picture it: the cost of living in London is about 35% higher than in Paris, which follows closely with a price of €12,771 per square metre. So, if you’re dreaming of sipping coffee by the Seine, be prepared to shell out some serious euros.
Vienna rounds out the top five with a price tag of €12,483 per square metre. Here’s a fun fact: only two cities in this elite list come from Europe’s largest economies—London and Paris. Germany’s most expensive city is Munich, where the price per square metre hits €11,435. Other notable mentions in the top ten include Luxembourg (€11,011), Copenhagen (€10,191), Stockholm (€10,037), and Oslo (€9,785). Interestingly, Oslo is the only city in the top ten where prices dip below the €10,000 mark.
And speaking of the Nordic countries, Helsinki ranks at 13th place with €8,431, while Milan and Amsterdam are just above with prices of €9,378 and €9,273, respectively. Now, don’t let Prague slip by; it’s pricier than both Madrid and Berlin, costing €8,352 per square metre. For comparison, Madrid sits at €7,831, and Berlin at €7,613.
On the flip side, Rome is listed at €7,328 per square metre, while Dublin and Frankfurt hover just above the €7,000 mark. If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, Lisbon and Barcelona are priced at €6,636 and €6,485, respectively. But here’s the kicker—if you think you’re getting off easy, Istanbul is the cheapest European city on the list, with a mere €2,646 per square metre! That’s a steal compared to Athens at €3,442 and Brussels at €4,380, which are also among the more affordable options.
Birmingham in the UK is priced at €4,671, and Budapest, Warsaw, and Edinburgh follow with prices above €5,000. The average across the 28 cities sits at €9,090 per square metre. To put that into perspective, buying an 80-square-metre apartment exceeds €1 million in only four cities. Zurich is dangerously close to the €2 million mark, while Geneva hovers around €1.5 million.
For those curious about the global scene, Hong Kong claims the title of the most expensive city with €23,790 per square metre, followed by Zurich and Seoul. At the other end of the spectrum, Cairo and Johannesburg offer prices below €1,000, making them the most affordable.
So, with these figures in mind, what does the future hold for housing in Europe? It’s clear that prices are soaring, and for many, the dream of owning an apartment in these bustling cities may remain just that—a dream. Let’s keep our eyes peeled for what comes next in this ever-evolving real estate market…
Kaynak: Orijinal Haber