In 2025, real estate exchange-traded funds (ETFs) remain one of the most practical ways to access the property market without buying physical assets. Falling interest rates, stable income streams, and the availability of low-cost UCITS funds in euros allow both private and institutional investors to enter the sector with relatively small amounts. With prices for popular ETFs starting from around €28,9–31 per share, real estate exposure has become more accessible than ever.
Interest Rates Create a Supportive Backdrop
The European Central Bank cut its deposit rate to 2 % in June 2025, down from 2,25 %. This lowered refinancing costs for property companies and helped narrow the discount between listed and private real estate values. Lower rates have also encouraged investors back into dividend-paying sectors, with property seen as a stable income play in a volatile market.
European ETFs at the Center of Investor Attention
The most widely traded euro-denominated real estate ETFs continue to attract inflows thanks to low costs and accessible pricing.
- SPDR FTSE EPRA Europe ex UK Real Estate UCITS ETF (ZPRP):
Trades around €28,9 per share in September 2025, with a 52-week high of €31,03. The fund carries a total expense ratio (TER) of 0,30 % and focuses on continental European landlords such as Vonovia and Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield. - iShares European Property Yield UCITS ETF (IPRP):
Has a TER of 0,40 %. As of 9 September 2025, its NAV is €30,52, while trading on Euronext at €30,52–30,57. On the London Stock Exchange, it trades around 2 628 GBX (≈£26,3). The fund tracks listed real estate companies across Europe and remains popular among euro-based savers seeking regular dividend income.
These price levels make both funds suitable for monthly investment plans, especially for investors who prefer accumulation in euros.
Beyond Europe: Global Options
For investors seeking diversification, global ETFs provide access to property companies across multiple regions.
- SPDR Dow Jones Global Real Estate ETF (RWO):
A broad global option with an expense ratio of 0,50 %. It provides access to listed property companies across developed and emerging markets. Liquidity is strong, though costs are higher than European UCITS equivalents. - Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ):
The largest U.S.-listed real estate ETF with over $60 billion in assets under management. Its expense ratio is only 0,13 %, making it one of the cheapest ways to access U.S. real estate markets. VNQ primarily invests in equity REITs across office, residential, retail, and logistics segments.
Market Outlook
Analysts expect modest earnings expansion in listed property companies, with dividend yields remaining a central attraction. Transaction volumes in European commercial property have shown signs of caution, but interest in residential and logistics assets remains resilient. This aligns with the sector allocations of ETFs like ZPRP and IPRP, which continue to favor income-generating real estate over riskier development exposure. Globally, funds like RWO and VNQ extend that diversification by capturing the recovery of U.S. and Asia-Pacific property markets.
Conclusion: Real Estate for Everyone
Real estate ETFs in 2025 are no longer a niche product. With verified low-cost options, stable dividend profiles, and entry points from as little as €28,9–31 per share, they allow investors to capture the long-term income and diversification benefits of property markets.
For euro-based savers, funds such as ZPRP and IPRP provide accessible exposure to Europe’s largest listed landlords. For those seeking global reach, ETFs like RWO and VNQ offer diversification, though their fee structures differ significantly — 0,50 % vs. 0,13 %.
In a year shaped by lower interest rates and selective demand, ETFs stand out as the cleanest, most transparent way to participate in real estate — bringing bricks through clicks within reach of every investor.
