Bouwinvest Market Outlook 2026–2028

November 27, 2025

Bouwinvest publishes its Market Outlook 2026–2028: stabilisation in the real estate market creates room for selective investments

The Dutch real estate market is undergoing a turning point. After a period of price adjustments, higher interest rates and economic uncertainty, the market is stabilising and new opportunities are emerging for institutional investors. This is outlined in the newly published Bouwinvest Market Outlook 2026–2028, in which Bouwinvest looks ahead to developments in the Living and Commercial sectors.

The outlooks show that demand for high-quality real estate in strong segments such as residential, healthcare real estate, convenience retail and prime offices remains structurally high. At the same time, the combination of slower economic recovery, higher financing costs and increasing regulation is resulting in a selective market, where income performance and quality carry more weight than rapid capital value growth.

Key developments at a glance
The outlooks outline a market with clear opportunities, provided investments are made selectively and with a long-term perspective:

• Structural shortages in the housing market driven by demographics and lagging new-build production.

• Strong demand for student housing and healthcare real estate, despite operational and staffing pressures.

• Selective office demand, with a clear preference for sustainable Grade A buildings in central locations.

• Resilient retail segment, with convenience and prime High Street as stable income anchors.

• Hotel market facing temporary VAT headwinds, but supported by structurally strong international demand and limited new supply.

• Core strategies gaining ground, with focus on cashflow quality and long-term performance.

What does this mean for investors?
According to the Bouwinvest Market Outlook 2026–2028, the focus in the coming years will be on income-generating assets with strong fundamentals, benefiting from structural trends such as ageing populations, housing shortages, urban growth and ESG transitions.

For institutional investors, rental housing, healthcare real estate, convenience retail and prime offices form a robust foundation, supplemented by selective opportunities in segments such as PBSA and hotels.

Read the key developments per sector
Click through to the sector articles for insights and analysis.
Articles will be published in the coming weeks

• Residential

• Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA)

• Assisted & Senior Living

• Private & Intramural Care

• Office

• Retail

• Hotel

• Macro & investment environment