- Average transaction in Europe took 363 days in 2025 – no increase for the first time
- 53% of respondents nevertheless reported longer times to close in the last 12 months
- 24% observed a decline in deal probability after successful due diligence
Frankfurt am Main, 18th February 2026 – Long and complex transactions, strong interest in the DACH and CEE regions: the due diligence platform Drooms has published its Real Estate Trends Report 2026 for the fourth consecutive year, analysing the duration and scope of transactions processed via Drooms. In 2025, 70 per cent of transactions were in the real estate sector, while the remaining 30 per cent were spread across corporate finance, energy, and legal deals. For the first time since the Drooms’ surveys began, the transaction duration in Europe remained stable at 363 days compared to the previous year. In addition to the data analysis, Drooms surveyed 80 real estate experts about their investment intentions and market assessments for 2026.
Most respondents (36 per cent) want to invest a maximum of €20 million in real estate in 2026. Fifteen per cent plan to invest between €20 million and €50 million, 14 per cent between €50 million and €100 million, 11 per cent between €100 million and €250 million, and 14 per cent even more than €250 million.
One of the key findings of the report is that 53 per cent of respondents across all European markets have noticed a longer transaction duration over the past twelve months. 16 per cent even report an increase of more than 20 per cent, and 27 per cent report an increase of between 10 and 20 per cent. Similarly, 24 per cent say that the likelihood of closing a deal after due diligence has decreased in the past year, while 54 per cent report that the likelihood has remained the same.
Stagnating transaction duration in Europe – is a turnaround in sight?
An anonymous analysis of the Drooms database, however, shows stagnating transaction times. Compared to 2024, the European transaction time remained stable at 363 days. However, there are significant country-specific differences: in the United Kingdom, a transaction now takes 577 days – a new record compared to 499 days in the previous year. There is good news for Germany, where transaction times fell to 398 days, down from 405 days in the previous year. In France, transaction times also increased to 336 days, up from 329 days in the previous year, as did in Spain (244 days, up from 206 days).
“Transaction times in Europe have been racing from record high to record high for years. Now, for the first time, we are seeing stagnation. This could be an indicator of an improving transaction environment. However, it should also be noted that despite the slight recovery, deal certainty is declining and transaction times remain high,” comments Alexandre Grellier, co-founder and CEO of Drooms. “Managing this complexity is a huge challenge. This makes structured and digital processes for exchanging and processing information and documents all the more important – especially for complex and cross-border transactions.”
Focus on CEE and DACH regions
These regions continue to be highly popular with investors: 28 per cent of respondents plan to invest 25 to 50 per cent of their investment volume outside their home market. 58 per cent said they wanted to invest a maximum of 25 per cent abroad. Spain (43 per cent), the DACH region (37 per cent), and the CEE region (34 per cent) are particularly popular, followed by Benelux (22 per cent). At the same time, investors see challenges: 47 per cent cite the different regulatory environments as the biggest hurdle, while 28 per cent cite a lack of market access.
Residential and logistics properties remain investor favourites – infrastructure in demand
As in 2025, residential (43 per cent; -1) and logistics (15 per cent; -5) remain the focus of investors, followed by infrastructure (including data centres: 14 per cent; ±0) and hospitality (11 per cent; +1), retail (8 per cent; +3), healthcare (7 per cent; +3) and office (1.3 per cent; -2.7). Despite the cautious classification as the most attractive asset class, 62 per cent of investors want to expand their infrastructure exposure; only around 10 per cent want to reduce it.
Financing remains a challenge
The biggest challenge for the companies surveyed remains the financing situation: 46 per cent say that securing further financing is their biggest challenge. For 16 per cent, restructuring and follow-up financing of their liabilities is another major challenge. 39 per cent cite a lack of investment opportunities; 28 per cent each count a shortage of skilled workers and dealing with regulation among their three biggest challenges. Nevertheless, 60 per cent of those surveyed want to be more active in the transaction market in 2026 than in 2025. Only 15 per cent plan to reduce their activities.
More deals thanks to AI
When it comes to the impact of artificial intelligence on the transaction business, most respondents expect that AI will enable them to review and prepare more deals with the same number of staff (49 per cent). Fifteen per cent assume that deals will become quicker and cheaper and/or that AI will help reduce the costs of transactions and legal advice. 12 per cent expect AI to reduce jobs in the transaction business, thereby saving costs.
“AI has the potential to make the transaction market fairer. While large deals today require appropriate structures and manpower, in the future smaller boutiques will be able to compete with large investment managers and investors,” explains Grellier. “AI will not take over deal sourcing or due diligence on its own, but it can simplify access to more and better deals. That’s not bad news for a market in transition.”
The complete Real Estate Trends Report 2026 is available for download here: https://drooms.com/resources/white-papers/real-estate-trends-report-2026/
