Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Romania Property Pack
Everything you need to know before buying real estate is included in our Romania Property Pack
This article covers the current rental yields you can expect for residential property in Romania, whether you're looking at apartments, houses, studios, or townhouses.
We update this blog post regularly to reflect the latest market data from major Romanian property portals and official sources.
You'll find concrete numbers, neighborhood breakdowns, and realistic cost estimates to help you make informed investment decisions.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Romania.
Insights
- Romania's blended gross rental yield sits around 5.6% in January 2026, which places it among the better-performing markets in Central and Eastern Europe for residential investors.
- Cluj-Napoca has the most compressed yields in Romania at roughly 3.7% to 4.2% gross, because property prices there have risen faster than rents over the past few years.
- Studios and small two-room apartments in Romania consistently deliver the highest rent-per-euro invested, often outperforming larger units by 1 to 2 percentage points in gross yield.
- Bucharest's renter-driven neighborhoods like Militari, Drumul Taberei, and Titan can still produce gross yields between 6.0% and 6.4%, well above the national average.
- Romania's rental income is taxed at 10% on taxable income after a flat 20% expense deduction, which typically shaves about 8% off your gross rent in practice.
- Vacancy rates in Romania's major cities hover around 5% for well-priced long-term rentals, which translates to roughly 18 days empty per year during tenant turnover.
- The spread in gross yields between high-yield and low-yield neighborhoods within the same Romanian city can reach 2 to 4 percentage points.
- Romania's mandatory PAD home insurance costs only around 20 to 60 euros per year, but landlords should budget an additional amount for broader coverage.
- Full-service property management in Romania typically runs 8% to 10% of monthly rent, plus a leasing fee of 50% to 100% of one month's rent per new tenant.
What are the rental yields in Romania as of 2026?
What's the average gross rental yield in Romania as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the average gross rental yield for residential property in Romania sits at approximately 5.6% per year when you blend all property types and major cities together.
Most typical residential properties in Romania fall within a gross yield range of 4.5% to 7.0%, with the exact figure depending heavily on which city and neighborhood you buy in.
This puts Romania's gross yields slightly above the European Union average, and notably higher than Western European capitals where yields often compress below 4%.
The single biggest factor influencing gross yields in Romania right now is the wide gap in property prices between cities like Cluj-Napoca (where high prices compress yields) and cities like Iasi or Bucharest's outer districts (where more affordable prices keep yields healthier).
What's the average net rental yield in Romania as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the average net rental yield for residential property in Romania is approximately 3.9% per year after accounting for all typical landlord expenses.
The difference between gross and net yields in Romania usually amounts to about 25% to 35% of your rental income, which gets consumed by vacancy, taxes, maintenance, insurance, and management fees.
The expense category that most significantly reduces gross yield in Romania is the combination of rental income tax (10% on taxable income after a 20% flat deduction) and ongoing building charges (HOA fees, known locally as "intretinere"), which together can easily eat 12% to 15% of gross rent.
Most standard investment properties in Romania deliver net yields in the 2.8% to 5.0% range, with the higher end achievable in renter-driven neighborhoods of secondary cities and the lower end common in premium areas of Cluj-Napoca or Bucharest's prestige districts.
By the way, you will find much more detailed rent ranges in our property pack covering the real estate market in Romania.
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What yield is considered "good" in Romania in 2026?
In Romania's residential market, local investors generally consider a gross rental yield of 6% or higher to be "good," while anything above 7% is typically viewed as very good.
The threshold that separates average-performing properties from high-performing ones in Romania is usually around the 6% gross mark, because yields below this level often struggle to cover costs and deliver meaningful cash flow after expenses.
How much do yields vary by neighborhood in Romania as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the spread in gross rental yields between the highest-yield and lowest-yield neighborhoods within Romania's major cities typically ranges from 2 to 4 percentage points.
Neighborhoods that deliver the highest rental yields in Romania are typically practical, renter-driven areas with good transport links but without prestige pricing, such as Militari, Drumul Taberei, and Titan in Bucharest, or Manastur and Marasti in Cluj-Napoca, or Tudor Vladimirescu and Dacia in Iasi.
On the other hand, neighborhoods with the lowest yields tend to be prestige zones where buyers pay for lifestyle and status, such as Primaverii, Aviatorilor, and Floreasca in Bucharest, or Copou in Iasi, or Centru and Andrei Muresanu in Cluj-Napoca.
The main reason yields vary so much across Romanian neighborhoods is that purchase prices in premium areas have inflated far faster than achievable rents, while working-class districts maintain healthier rent-to-price ratios because demand comes from budget-conscious tenants rather than wealthy owner-occupiers.
By the way, we've written a blog article detailing what are the current best areas to invest in property in Romania.
How much do yields vary by property type in Romania as of 2026?
As of early 2026, gross rental yields across different property types in Romania range from roughly 3.5% for houses in premium locations to over 7% for well-located studios in high-demand rental areas.
Studios and small one-room apartments (called "garsoniere" in Romanian) currently deliver the highest average gross rental yields in Romania, often outperforming larger units by 1 to 2 percentage points because they offer the best rent relative to purchase price.
Houses, villas, and large family apartments in prime zones typically deliver the lowest gross yields in Romania, because their high purchase prices are not matched by proportionally higher rents.
The key reason yields differ between property types in Romania is that smaller units attract a larger pool of price-sensitive renters (students, young professionals, singles), which keeps demand and rents strong relative to the lower capital outlay required to buy them.
By the way, you might want to read the following:
What's the typical vacancy rate in Romania as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the average residential vacancy rate for long-term rentals in Romania's major cities is approximately 5%, which translates to about 18 days empty per year during tenant turnover.
Vacancy rates across different Romanian neighborhoods realistically range from 3% to 4% in the highest-demand areas near universities and job centers, up to 7% to 10% in over-supplied pockets or seasonal tourism markets.
The main factor driving vacancy rates in Romania right now is market tightness, with recent data showing higher tenant inquiry rates and shorter time-to-rent periods, which signals strong demand and limited supply in most urban rental markets.
Romania's vacancy rate of around 5% is roughly in line with other Central European markets and actually better than some Western European cities experiencing tenant protection issues or oversupply.
Finally please note that you will have all the indicators you need in our property pack covering the real estate market in Romania.
What's the rent-to-price ratio in Romania as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the average rent-to-price ratio in Romania is approximately 0.47% per month, meaning monthly rent equals about 0.47% of the property's purchase price.
Buy-to-let investors in Romania generally consider a monthly rent-to-price ratio of 0.5% or higher to be favorable, which corresponds directly to a 6% annual gross yield (since 0.5% multiplied by 12 months equals 6%).
Romania's rent-to-price ratio compares favorably to Western European capitals like Paris or Munich (where ratios often fall below 0.3%), though it trails some higher-yield emerging markets in Southeast Europe or the Balkans.
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Which neighborhoods and micro-areas in Romania give the best yields as of 2026?
Where are the highest-yield areas in Romania as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the highest-yield neighborhoods in Romania include Militari, Drumul Taberei, and Titan in Bucharest, Tudor Vladimirescu and Dacia in Iasi, and Complexul Studentesc and Girocului in Timisoara.
In these top-performing Romanian neighborhoods, investors can realistically expect gross rental yields in the 6% to 7% range, with some well-bought studios pushing even higher.
The main characteristic these high-yield Romanian areas share is strong, consistent renter demand from working professionals and students, combined with property prices that haven't inflated as dramatically as in prestige districts.
You'll find a much more detailed analysis of the areas with high profitability potential in our property pack covering the real estate market in Romania.
Where are the lowest-yield areas in Romania as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the lowest-yield neighborhoods in Romania include Primaverii, Aviatorilor, and Floreasca in Bucharest, Copou in Iasi, and Centru and Buna Ziua in Cluj-Napoca.
In these premium Romanian areas, gross rental yields typically compress to just 3% to 4.5%, making them poor choices for income-focused investors.
The main reason yields are compressed in these prestigious Romanian neighborhoods is that buyers pay substantial premiums for lifestyle, status, and owner-occupier appeal, while rents cannot rise proportionally because tenants have budget limits regardless of location quality.
Buying a property in a low-yield area is one of the mistakes we cover in our list of risks and pitfalls people face when buying property in Romania.
Which areas have the lowest vacancy in Romania as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the Romanian neighborhoods with the lowest residential vacancy rates include Grozavesti and Regie in Bucharest (near Politehnica University), Marasti in Cluj-Napoca (near campuses and offices), and Tudor Vladimirescu in Iasi (the main student hub).
In these low-vacancy Romanian areas, landlords typically experience vacancy rates of just 3% to 4%, meaning properties stay occupied nearly year-round.
The main demand driver keeping vacancy low in these Romanian neighborhoods is proximity to large, stable tenant pools, specifically universities with thousands of students and business districts with concentrated employment.
The trade-off investors typically face when targeting these low-vacancy areas in Romania is that competition from other landlords can be intense, and properties near universities may experience seasonal turnover that requires active management.
Which areas have the most renter demand in Romania right now?
The Romanian neighborhoods currently experiencing the strongest renter demand include Militari and Aviației in Bucharest, Marasti and Manastur in Cluj-Napoca, and Tudor Vladimirescu and Tatarasi in Iasi.
The renter profile driving most of the demand in these Romanian areas consists of young professionals aged 25 to 35 working in IT, services, and corporate sectors, plus university students seeking affordable accommodation close to campuses.
In these high-demand Romanian neighborhoods, rental listings typically get filled within one to two weeks when priced correctly, with some desirable units receiving multiple inquiries within days of posting.
If you want to optimize your cashflow, you can read our complete guide on how to buy and rent out in Romania.
Which upcoming projects could boost rents and rental yields in Romania as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the top three infrastructure projects expected to boost rents in Romania are Bucharest's Metro Line M6 (connecting 1 Mai to Otopeni Airport), the Cluj-Napoca metro system (now contract-backed through Alstom), and the Iasi Regional Emergency Hospital (a major public investment adding jobs).
The Romanian neighborhoods most likely to benefit from these projects include 1 Mai, Baneasa, and the northern Otopeni corridor in Bucharest, the Floresti-Manastur-Centru axis in Cluj-Napoca, and the Moara de Vant area in Iasi.
Once these projects are completed, investors might realistically expect rent increases of 5% to 15% in the most directly affected micro-areas, though the timeline for the Cluj metro extends several years into the future.
You'll find our latest property market analysis about Romania here.
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What property type should I buy for renting in Romania as of 2026?
Between studios and larger units in Romania, which performs best in 2026?
As of early 2026, studios and compact two-room apartments outperform larger units in Romania in terms of both rental yield and occupancy rate, making them the preferred choice for income-focused investors.
Studios in Romania typically deliver gross yields of 6% to 7% (around 350 to 450 euros per month in rent for a 70,000 to 90,000 euro purchase, or roughly 380 to 490 USD), while three-room apartments often yield just 4% to 5%.
The main factor explaining why smaller units outperform in Romania is the depth of demand: there are simply far more single renters and couples looking for affordable accommodation than families willing to pay premium rents for larger spaces.
However, larger units can be the better investment choice in Romania if you're targeting stable family tenants who stay for years and cause less wear, particularly in suburban areas of Bucharest or Cluj-Napoca where families seek space near good schools.
What property types are in most demand in Romania as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the most in-demand property type for renters in Romania is the two-room apartment, which hits the sweet spot between affordability and livable space for couples and young professionals.
The top three property types ranked by current tenant demand in Romania are two-room apartments (highest demand), studios (strong demand from students and singles), and practical three-room apartments (steady demand from small families).
The primary trend driving this demand pattern in Romania is the growth of the urban professional class, particularly in IT and services sectors, where young workers need affordable city-center housing but don't yet require family-sized space.
One property type currently underperforming in demand in Romania is the large house or villa in suburban locations, which has a smaller tenant pool and longer vacancy periods unless positioned in very specific commuter corridors.
What unit size has the best yield per m² in Romania as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the unit size range that delivers the best gross rental yield per square meter in Romania is 30 to 45 square meters, which corresponds to studios and compact one-bedroom layouts.
For this optimal unit size in Romania, investors can expect gross yields around 6% to 7% per year, with monthly rents of roughly 300 to 400 euros (325 to 435 USD) on purchases of 60,000 to 80,000 euros (65,000 to 87,000 USD).
Smaller units below 30 square meters can suffer from tenant turnover issues and niche appeal, while larger units above 60 square meters see rent increases that don't keep pace with the additional purchase cost, which compresses yield per square meter in both directions.
By the way, we also have a blog article detailing whether owning an Airbnb rental is profitable in Romania.
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What costs cut my net yield in Romania as of 2026?
What are typical property taxes and recurring local fees in Romania as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the annual building tax for a typical rental apartment in Romania ranges from 0.08% to 0.2% of the property's taxable value, which works out to roughly 50 to 200 euros (55 to 220 USD, or 275 to 1,100 RON) per year for a standard investment property.
Beyond building tax, Romanian landlords must also budget for rental income tax (10% on taxable income after a 20% expense deduction) and monthly building association fees ("intretinere") which typically run 30 to 80 euros (33 to 87 USD) per month depending on the building's amenities and age.
Together, these taxes and recurring fees typically represent about 10% to 15% of gross rental income in Romania, making them a meaningful but manageable drag on net yields.
By the way, we cover all the hidden fees and taxes in our property pack covering the real estate market in Romania.
What insurance, maintenance, and annual repair costs should landlords budget in Romania right now?
Annual landlord insurance in Romania starts with the mandatory PAD policy costing roughly 20 to 60 euros (22 to 65 USD, or 110 to 330 RON), though comprehensive coverage with a private insurer can add another 50 to 150 euros per year.
Romanian landlords should budget approximately 0.5% to 1.0% of property value annually for maintenance and repairs, which translates to 400 to 1,000 euros (435 to 1,090 USD) per year for a typical 80,000 to 100,000 euro apartment.
The type of repair expense that most commonly catches Romanian landlords off guard is plumbing and heating system failures in older communist-era blocks, where aging infrastructure can require costly interventions that aren't covered by building association funds.
In total, Romanian landlords should realistically budget 500 to 1,200 euros (545 to 1,310 USD) per year for the combined costs of insurance, maintenance, and repairs on a standard rental apartment.
Which utilities do landlords typically pay, and what do they cost in Romania right now?
In most long-term rental arrangements in Romania, tenants pay their own utilities (electricity, gas, water, and internet), while landlords cover only building-related fees and any specific items written into the lease contract.
For landlords who do include utilities (common in short-term rentals or all-inclusive contracts), monthly costs in Romania typically run 80 to 150 euros (87 to 163 USD) for a standard apartment, with heating and electricity being the largest components according to Eurostat benchmarks.
What does full-service property management cost, including leasing, in Romania as of 2026?
As of early 2026, full-service property management in Romania typically costs 8% to 10% of monthly rent, which amounts to roughly 30 to 60 euros (33 to 65 USD) per month on a standard apartment renting for 350 to 600 euros.
On top of ongoing management, Romanian property managers typically charge a leasing or tenant-placement fee of 50% to 100% of one month's rent each time they find a new tenant, which can add 175 to 600 euros (190 to 655 USD) per placement depending on the rental price.
What's a realistic vacancy buffer in Romania as of 2026?
As of early 2026, Romanian landlords should set aside approximately 5% of annual rental income as a vacancy buffer, which accounts for normal tenant turnover and the time needed to find quality replacements.
In practical terms, this 5% buffer translates to roughly 2 to 3 weeks of vacancy per year for a well-priced, well-located Romanian rental property, though seasonal markets or niche properties may experience longer gaps.
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What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Romania, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can ... and we don't throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source | Why It's Authoritative | How We Used It |
|---|---|---|
| Imobiliare.ro National Index | Romania's largest property portal with a documented price index and transparent methodology. | We used it as the primary sale-price anchor for Romanian cities. We also referenced its methodology notes to ensure consistency across our yield calculations. |
| Imobiliare.ro Bucharest Index | City-level price series from Romania's most-used property portal, covering the largest market. | We used Bucharest's price data as the heaviest weight in our blended Romania estimate. We also used its new versus old stock breakdown to explain yield variations. |
| Imobiliare.ro Cluj-Napoca Index | City-level price data from a national portal, essential for Romania's second-most expensive market. | We used Cluj's high prices as a benchmark for yield compression. We paired this with city rents to show how expensive markets deliver lower yields. |
| Imobiliare.ro Iasi Index | City-level price series using the same methodology as the national index. | We used Iasi prices to illustrate mid-tier Romanian markets. We paired these with rent data to calculate city-specific gross yields. |
| Imobiliare.ro Timisoara Index | City-level price data from the same index family, covering western Romania's main city. | We used Timisoara as a balanced-price benchmark. We calculated gross yields by pairing these prices with local rent levels. |
| Imobiliare.ro Brasov Index | City-level price series for a major market with both local and tourism-driven demand. | We used Brasov to show how tourism influences residential yields. We paired prices with rents to estimate gross yields for this mixed market. |
| Storia Rent Data via SMARK | Republishes actual rent figures from Storia/OLX, Romania's largest rental listing platform. | We used these city and neighborhood rent levels as the numerator in all yield calculations. We also used the sector-level breakdown to explain within-city yield dispersion. |
| Storia Rent Data via Bursa.ro | Long-running national business publication that prints numeric rent levels attributed to Storia. | We used this to cross-check rent levels and to capture market tightness signals. We translated faster transaction times into our vacancy rate estimates. |
| Romania Fiscal Code (Law 227/2015) | The official legislative portal for Romania's laws, providing the legal basis for all tax calculations. | We used this as the legal backbone for property and rental income taxation. We translated these rules into practical yield deductions. |
| Noul Cod Fiscal (Building Tax Article) | Clearly states the residential building tax rate band and points directly to the fiscal code. | We used this to quote the 0.08% to 0.2% building tax range. We explained how local councils set exact rates within this band. |
| Noul Cod Fiscal (Rental Income Tax) | Directly explains Romanian rental income taxation mechanics in a way matching the fiscal code. | We used this to model how rental income tax reduces net yield. We applied the 10% tax rate on income after the 20% flat deduction. |
| ANAF Fiscal Code Version | The Romanian tax authority's hosted version of the fiscal code text. | We used this as a second official cross-check for tax rules. We confirmed our net yield deduction calculations against this source. |
| Eurostat Electricity Prices | The EU's official statistics office with harmonized methodology across member states. | We used this to ground utility cost expectations with a reputable benchmark. We mapped these into landlord-paid utilities where applicable. |
| Eurostat Natural Gas Prices | EU official statistics with harmonized methodology for energy costs. | We used this to set heating cost expectations for gas-heated Romanian apartments. We incorporated these into realistic operating cost estimates. |
| Metrorex M6 Project Site | The official project communication site for Bucharest's Metro Line 6. | We used this to identify infrastructure that can shift rental demand. We referenced the 1 Mai to Otopeni corridor as an area to watch. |
| Alstom Cluj Metro Contract | A primary company press release confirming a major signed infrastructure contract. | We used this to confirm the Cluj metro is contract-backed, not just planned. We referenced this when discussing long-term rent pressure along the line. |
| ANDIS Iasi Regional Hospital | A Romanian government agency publishing official project updates. | We used this as an anchor for a major jobs-creating project in Iasi. We highlighted nearby areas likely to see increased rental demand. |
| Capital.ro PAD Insurance Coverage | A mainstream Romanian publication referencing the mandatory home insurance scheme and typical premiums. | We used this to set baseline insurance costs most owners face. We added optional coverage as a practical budgeting item for landlords. |
| Property Management Romania | A specialized operator that transparently lists fee structures for property management services. | We used this as a sanity-check for management fee ranges. We kept our recommendation conservative and triangulated with other sources. |
| Bucharest Homes Fee Information | A long-standing expat-focused agency that publishes its fees openly online. | We used this to cross-check that leasing fee and monthly percentage structures are standard practice. We modeled net yields under hands-off management scenarios. |
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