Romania: Investment Potential

Romania: Investment Potential

Property investment in Romania is currently one of the best options in Europe. Property prices are going up - they rose by a staggering 27% in the first quarter of 2007. There is also strong economic growth and increasing political stability, along with extensive infrastructure investment since the country joined the EU in January 2007.

Romania's Growing Economy

EU accession has further stimulated Romania's economy thanks to a variety of EU subsidies and a significant level of foreign direct investment (FDI). Romania is developing into an entirely free market economy, which is creating an enormous demand for property from both local Romanians and foreign property investors.

Positive Press Coverage

Prospective property investors in Romania will not have missed the country's widespread positive media coverage as one of Europe's best locations for property investment. In November 2007, the Telegraph named Bucharest the number one city in which to make money from property. This is because property prices in Romania - and Bucharest in particular - are rising quickly but remain inexpensive by Western standards. Channel 4's ‘A Place in the Sun' programme placed Romania as Number 1 in their Top 20 best places to make money on property in the next 10 years.

Romania Property Investment

Throughout 2007, the return on property investment in Romania was among the highest in Europe with the average rental yield standing at just under 9%. In some parts of Bucharest, increases were higher - thanks to a growing ex-pat population as more foreign companies do business in Romania. Foreign property investors have significantly added to the increase in property prices and Romania, alongside Bulgaria, has become popular with British and other foreign investors. Foreigners are free to buy apartments without restriction but must buy land through a Romanian-registered company.