Housing is a major issue across Europe. The problem is not just availability, but affordability too, with housing being particularly expensive in capital cities, major urban areas and tourist destinations.
House prices and rents vary significantly across Europe. So, which countries and cities are the most expensive for buying a house or flat in 2026? How much does a square metre cost? And how much is needed to buy an apartment in a city centre?
The "Mapping the World’s Prices 2026" report, published by Deutsche Bank Research Institute, compares the price per square metre of buying an apartment in the city centre across 69 cities, 28 of them in Europe.
Switzerland is the most expensive country to buy a house
Two Swiss cities rank at the top, making Switzerland the most expensive country to buy real estate in city centres. The price per square metre for an apartment is €22,910 in Zurich and €19,439 in Geneva.
