Residential property prices rose by 6.8 per cent in the 12 months to February, down from the 7.1 per cent in the year to January, data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) shows.
In Dublin, residential property prices saw a more modest increase of 5.6 per cent, while prices outside the capital were 7.8 per cent higher in February when compared with a year earlier.
The annual increase in prices nationally of 6.8 per cent was the same as the figure in November and December of last year.
These represent the lowest annual increases since 6.2 per cent recorded in February 2024.
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“While the rate of house price growth has eased, this softening could be short-lived if the conflict in the Middle East is not resolved soon,” said Irish Mortgage Advisors chairman Trevor Grant. “The recent and ongoing surge in oil prices could drive building materials inflation even higher and in turn, further push up house building costs – as well as Irish house prices.”
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Prices for houses in Dublin rose by 5 per cent in the year while apartment prices increased by 7.5 per cent. The highest house price growth in the capital was in Dublin city at 6.8 per cent while Fingal saw a rise of 2.7 per cent.
Outside of Dublin, house prices were up by 7.4 per cent and apartment prices rose by 13.2 per cent.
The region outside of Dublin that saw the fastest growth in house prices was the midlands (Laois, Longford, Offaly, and Westmeath) at 15.3 per cent, while at the other end of the scale, the southwest (Cork and Kerry) saw a rise of 4.2 per cent.
Households paid a median or midpoint price of €390,000 for a home in the 12 months to February 2026. The highest median price was €681,500 in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, while the lowest was €198,000 in Donegal.
The most expensive Eircode area over the 12 months to February was A94, which covers Blackrock in Dublin with a median price of €841,250, while F45, which includes Castlerea in Co Roscommon, had the least expensive median price of €153,000.
Details of 3,370 homes bought by households were filed with the Revenue Commissioners, an increase of 3.9 per cent when compared with the 3,245 purchases in February last year.
The total value of transactions filed in February 2026 was €1.47 billion. This was made up of 2,558 existing home with a value of €1.09 billion, and 812 new builds with a value of €380.8 million.
Brokers Ireland welcomed the modest slowing in the rate of price increases. Rachel McGovern, deputy chief executive, said, however, that there are few hopeful signs on the horizon for aspiring buyers.
“Prices are already way out of line for those on average salaries, and supply does not seem to be coming on stream at anything like the level people are yearning for,” she said.
The Institute of Professional Auctioneers & Valuers, said the slight tapering in the level of price increases may continue over ensuing months with buyers displaying more caution.
Chief executive Genevieve McGuirk said there has been a slight change in sentiment across the first quarter of the year, according to feedback from agents across the State.
“Today’s figures are based on stamp duty returns which have a 44-day lead-in. Affordability has been stretched following sustained increases since the post-Covid period,” she said.
