Emilia-Romagna real estate market gains momentum: Bologna becomes the main growth driver

The real estate market in the Emilia-Romagna region is demonstrating a sustainable recovery and is increasingly focused on the quality of housing, energy efficiency and long-term investment attractiveness of properties. Against this backdrop, Bologna is strengthening its position as one of the most active markets in Italy thanks to infrastructure development, large-scale urban renewal projects and a changing structure of demand for housing.

These findings are presented in the latest issue of the Real Estate DATA HUB study, prepared by the REMAX Italia analytical center in collaboration with experts from RYZE and 24MAX.

According to the report, the number of purchase and sale transactions in the region is gradually recovering after a slowdown observed in the first half of 2025. At the same time, buyers have become much more demanding: today, preference is given to properties that can provide a high level of comfort, low operating costs, and long-term value retention.

Three-room apartments lead, but interest in spacious housing is growing

Three-room apartments remain the most popular type of housing in Emilia-Romagna, accounting for almost half of all transactions - 48.4%.

However, compared to the national average, the region has a significantly higher demand for more spacious properties. The share of four-room apartments reaches 21.9%, and housing with five or more rooms accounts for 9.7% of the market. This demand structure indicates that many buyers are purchasing real estate for permanent residence rather than investment purposes.

At the same time, attention is increasing to the energy performance of buildings. The share of properties with low energy efficiency ratings (classes E, F, and G) decreased from 78% in 2022 to 74% in 2025. This reflects growing buyer interest in environmentally friendly solutions, energy conservation, and reduced utility costs.

An additional positive sign was the reduction in real estate sales time. In the fourth quarter of 2025, the average time a property is on the market decreased to 115 days, which is the best result compared to the end of 2024.

Bologna surpasses the €3,500 per square meter mark

Among all the cities in the region, Bologna remains the undisputed leader in market activity. Already in the second half of 2025, the average price of residential real estate here exceeded €3,500 per square meter.

Price growth is due to a combination of high demand and limited supply, especially in the most sought-after areas of the city. At the same time, the average time to sell a home has decreased to its minimum values for the period 2022-2025.

According to the study, Bologna is undergoing a major transformation of its urban structure. In addition to traditionally prestigious central areas, areas where urban renewal projects and public transport development are being implemented are attracting increasing interest from buyers.

The attractiveness of areas such as Bolognina, Navile, and Fiera is growing particularly noticeably. Thanks to improved transport accessibility, the perception of distances within the city is changing, and areas that were considered peripheral just a few years ago are becoming increasingly popular.

As Dario Castiglia, CEO and founder of REMAX Italia, notes, today's buyers are buying not only an apartment, but also ease of travel, time savings, and a higher quality of life. This is why infrastructure development directly impacts real estate prices.

Changing demand structure

Experts are also recording changes in the composition of buyers. Although students remain an important part of the demand for housing in Bologna, highly qualified specialists, managers and professionals moving to the city due to its economic opportunities and high level of urban environment are starting to play an increasingly important role.

This process supports the demand for modern real estate with good transport accessibility, high construction standards and energy efficiency, making the market more selective.

Prospects for 2026

According to analysts, the trends formed during 2025 create favorable conditions for further growth of the real estate market in Emilia-Romagna in 2026.

The key factors for success will remain the quality of the properties, high energy efficiency class, favorable location, proximity to transport infrastructure, services and main centers of economic development.

Thus, the region's market is gradually shifting from quantitative growth to a model in which the characteristics of the property itself and its ability to meet new buyer demands are becoming decisive.