The European holiday home market shows a clear divide in terms of demand and price dynamics at the turn of the year. A recent study by the provider Myne Homes, based on search volume analyses and Eurostat data, identifies Denmark as the most sought-after country for prospective buyers.
With an average of 90.500 monthly search queries, the Scandinavian country leads the ranking by a wide margin over Croatia and Sweden. However, experts point out that the high level of interest in Denmark is often hampered by restrictive legal frameworks for foreign buyers. In contrast, Croatia benefits from its growing reputation as a leading tourist destination, while Sweden is increasingly perceived as a climatically attractive alternative for long-term investments.
Looking at price trends since the reference year of 2015 reveals enormous discrepancies across the continent. Turkey has seen the most significant increase, with its house price index climbing to 1.722. This exorbitant rise is primarily attributed to high inflation and limited supply coupled with strong demand. Property prices in Hungary and Iceland have also more than doubled, with index values of 310 and 250 respectively. Markets in Northern and Southern Europe, however, appear the most stable: Finland, with an index value of 101, exhibits almost constant prices, closely followed by Italy and Cyprus, making these countries particularly attractive to price-conscious buyers in 2026.
A clear trend is emerging in the financing and use of vacation properties. Since owning high-quality properties in prime locations is financially difficult for many prospective buyers, the co-ownership model is gaining importance. Internal data shows that in 2025, Italy, Spain, and Austria were particularly attractive to investors. In Austria, 13,5 percent of inquiries were for such properties, while Spain and Italy each accounted for roughly one-third of the interest. This model allows for the acquisition of shares starting at approximately €100.000 and leads to more efficient occupancy of the properties throughout the year.
For the coming year, 2026, it is predicted that traditional markets such as the Alpine region and the Mediterranean coast will maintain their dominance. Countries like North Macedonia, Moldova, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, on the other hand, will remain at the lower end of the popularity scale due to political uncertainties and a weaker tourist appeal. Market observers anticipate that the professionalization of property management will continue to intensify in order to meet the increasing demands of owners for comfort and value stability. Location remains the decisive factor for long-term value development, with more stable markets like Italy currently considered less overheated than the dynamic growth regions in the east.