Starting 1 January 2026, homeowners in Bucharest will face significantly higher property taxes. The General Council of the Municipality of Bucharest has approved the new levels of local taxes and fees for next year, with the most visible impact being a sharp increase in residential property tax — on average, close to 80% compared to 2025.

The decision does not introduce a new tax, but it substantially changes the tax calculation base. In practice, this translates into noticeably higher amounts due for most property owners.

Where does the nearly 80% increase come from?

The increase is not the result of a single, isolated decision. Instead, it reflects the cumulative application of inflation indexation from recent years. These adjustments, required under fiscal legislation, were not fully applied in previous years and are now being implemented in one step in 2026.

As a result, the taxable value of buildings increases significantly, and annual property tax is recalculated based on these updated values.

What changes in the tax calculation

For residential buildings constructed from reinforced concrete or brick and connected to all utilities, the taxable value per square meter nearly doubles compared to the previous year. Similar increases apply to other types of buildings as well, including those made from lighter materials such as wood.

These updated values form the basis of the tax calculation, leading to a substantial rise in the annual amounts owed by property owners.

What this means in practice for typical apartments

Following the recalculation:

• a two-room apartment may reach an annual property tax of around 500 lei
• a three-room apartment may exceed 600 lei per year

The exact amount depends on surface area, construction type, location, and administrative sector, but the overall trend is clear: almost all property owners will pay more.

Bucharest: one city, different rules by sector

Although the decision is adopted at the level of the Municipality of Bucharest, its implementation also depends on sector-level administrations. Zone coefficients, local facilities, and certain related fees may vary, meaning that two similar properties located in different sectors can end up with different tax amounts.

Not only property taxes are increasing

In addition to higher property taxes, the adopted decision also includes increases in residential parking fees. In 2026, the annual cost of a residential parking permit will range between 400 and 800 lei, depending on the area.

This is a separate adjustment, but one that adds to the overall financial pressure felt by city residents.

What does not change in 2026

No new property tax is being introduced, and the taxation system itself is not fundamentally altered. The increase comes exclusively from updated taxable values and the application of mechanisms already provided for by law.

Why checking your tax assessment matters

In the context of these increases, reviewing your tax assessment becomes essential. Errors related to surface area, building type, or property use can result in incorrectly calculated taxes. Corrections are possible, but they require time and administrative effort.

The 2026 tax increase is not just a matter of percentages; it is also a test of trust between public authorities and citizens. The lack of clear communication makes the impact feel sudden and arbitrary, even though, from a legal standpoint, the mechanism itself is long-standing and predictable.