According to data published by the community statistics office Eurostat, there was an average annual rise of 4.4% in the housing price index in 2018, while the average increase in the eurozone was 4.3%.

Following Portugal, which led the increases last year in this indicator, Ireland (+ 10.2%), Latvia (+ 9.8, 5%) and Hungary (+ 9.7%).

In reverse, the biggest falls in the housing price index in 2018 were seen in Sweden (-0.9%) and Italy (-0.6%).

Overall, between 2010 and 2018, housing prices increased by 15% in the EU and 11% in the eurozone, Eurostat pointed out.