The European Real Estate Society (ERES) 2026 conference is scheduled from July 2nd to July 5th, taking place in Athens, Greece. If you move in real estate circles, whether as a scholar, an investor, a policymaker, or a researcher, this is one event you genuinely want on your calendar. ERES brings together the sharpest minds in the field to share insights, debate current trends, and map out where the sector is heading next.
About the European Real Estate Society (ERES)
ERES is a non-profit organization founded in 1994 with a clear mission to advance real estate education and research across Europe and beyond. Think of it as the intellectual backbone of the European real estate world. The society fosters real dialogue between scholars, practitioners, and students, and its annual conference has grown into one of the most anticipated gatherings in the global real estate calendar, drawing participants from every corner of the world.
What sets the ERES conference apart is its combination of academic depth and real-world relevance. You get rigorous coverage of finance, investment, valuation, development, sustainability, and market analysis, all under one roof. But beyond the sessions themselves, the event works as a genuine networking hub where academics and practitioners actually talk to each other, collaborate, and build relationships that last well beyond the conference days. If you want to understand how real estate regulations shape markets, this is the kind of event where those conversations happen at the highest level.
Key Themes and Objectives of ERES 2026
The 2026 conference covers a wide array of topics that reflect just how much the real estate world has shifted in recent years. Expect deep dives into sustainable development and ESG frameworks, the impact of rising interest rates on property valuations, digital transformation and proptech innovation, housing affordability challenges across European cities, and the evolving role of institutional capital in real estate markets. The Financial Times has tracked many of these themes closely, and ERES is where the academic community stress-tests the ideas that end up shaping policy and investment strategy.
- Sustainable Real Estate Development: With increasing emphasis on sustainability, the conference will focus on how the real estate sector can contribute to environmental goals.
Topics will include green building practices, energy-efficient design, and the role of real estate in combating climate change. Discussions will also explore the economic implications of sustainability and how it can be leveraged to enhance property values. - Real Estate Investment and Finance: ERES 2025 will delve into the latest trends in real estate investment and finance, including the impact of global economic conditions, interest rates, and inflation on real estate markets. Sessions will cover topics such as risk management, portfolio diversification, and the role of institutional investors in shaping the real estate landscape.
- Technological Innovation in Real Estate: Technology continues to transform the real estate industry, and the conference will highlight the latest advancements in Proptech.
Topics will include the use of big data and artificial intelligence in property valuation, blockchain technology for real estate transactions, and the growing importance of digital platforms in property management and sales. - Urban Planning and Development: As cities continue to grow and evolve, urban planning and development remain critical issues. ERES 2025 will explore how cities can be designed to accommodate population growth while ensuring sustainability, livability, and economic vitality. Discussions will also focus on the challenges and opportunities of smart cities, urban regeneration, and mixed-use developments.
- Real Estate Education and Research: As part of its commitment to advancing real estate education, the conference will include sessions dedicated to the latest research in the field.
Topics will range from innovative teaching methods in real estate education to the role of academic research in influencing policy and practice. These sessions will provide valuable insights for educators, researchers, and students.
Who Should Attend ERES 2026?
ERES 2026 is built for a broad but focused audience. If you are an academic researcher or a PhD student working in real estate, urban economics, or finance, this is your conference. But it is equally valuable if you are a real estate professional, a fund manager, a developer, or a policymaker looking to ground your decisions in the latest research. The mix of attendees is actually one of the event’s greatest strengths. You will find yourself in the same room as people who build theory and people who deploy capital, and that combination produces conversations you simply cannot have anywhere else.
- Academics and Researchers: Scholars involved in real estate research and education, looking to present their findings, gain insights into the latest research, and collaborate with peers.
- Real Estate Professionals: Practitioners working in real estate development, investment, finance, and valuation, who are interested in staying updated on market trends and academic advancements.
- Policymakers and Urban Planners: Government officials and urban planners focused on real estate policy, urban development, and sustainability.
- Students and Educators: Students pursuing real estate studies and educators seeking to enhance their teaching methods and curriculum with the latest research and industry trends.
Featured Speakers and Sessions
The 2026 speaker lineup draws from academia, industry, and government, giving you a genuinely rounded perspective on where real estate stands and where it is going. These are not panel filler speakers. They are people with real authority on subjects like cross-border investment flows, urban regeneration, climate risk in property portfolios, and the shifting dynamics of European housing markets. Bloomberg’s real estate coverage has highlighted several of the macro forces these experts will address directly.
Key sessions at the conference will include keynote addresses from leading academics and industry figures, paper presentation tracks across multiple real estate disciplines, panel discussions on pressing policy and market questions, and workshops focused on research methodology and practical application. You can pick the track that matches your focus and go deep, or move across sessions to build a broader picture of the field.
- Sustainability in Real Estate: This session will explore how sustainability is shaping the future of real estate, with case studies on successful green building projects and discussions on the financial implications of sustainable development.
- Technological Innovations in Real Estate: A deep dive into how technology is revolutionizing the real estate industry, featuring presentations on AI, blockchain, and Proptech innovations.
- Global Real Estate Investment Trends: An analysis of the latest trends in global real estate investment, focusing on emerging markets, risk management strategies, and the impact of economic conditions on investment decisions.
- Urban Development and Smart Cities: A comprehensive look at how urban development is evolving in response to technological advancements and population growth, with a focus on smart cities and sustainable urban planning.
Networking and Collaboration Opportunities
Honestly, some of the most valuable time at ERES happens outside the formal sessions. The conference brings together a genuinely diverse mix of professionals, researchers, and students, and the environment is set up to encourage real connection. You will have access to dedicated networking sessions, roundtable discussions, and social events that are designed to spark the kind of conversations that turn into research partnerships, investment introductions, and long-term professional relationships. If you are looking for a read on what Athens’s real estate event scene looks like, ERES sits at the top of that calendar.
The conference also includes an exhibition area where organizations present their latest research, tools, and services. For companies in the proptech, data analytics, or advisory space, this is a direct line to a highly qualified audience of potential clients and collaborators. For you as an attendee, it is a chance to see what is actually being built at the frontier of the industry.
Location: Athens, Greece
Athens is a genuinely compelling choice for this conference. The city carries centuries of intellectual history, but it also has a real estate market that has been one of the more interesting stories in Southern Europe over the past few years. Property values have climbed steadily, international investment has poured in, and the city’s Golden Visa programme drew significant global attention before its recent policy adjustments. If you want to get a sense of daily life and costs in the city before you go, this overview of the cost of living in Greece is worth a read. Athens is also easy to reach, with direct connections from most major European hubs and strong international flight links for those coming from further afield.
Athens’s conference venues are well equipped with modern facilities, so you can expect a smooth, professional experience throughout. The city’s public transport network is efficient, and your accommodation options run the full spectrum from landmark luxury hotels to well-priced boutique properties. Accommodation in Athens books up quickly around major events, so sorting your stay early is a smart move.
How to Register
Registration for ERES 2026 is open now. If this conference is on your radar, early registration is the right call. Spots fill up, and early registrants benefit from discounted rates that are worth taking advantage of. Your registration fee covers access to all conference sessions, networking events, and conference materials, so you are getting the full experience from day one.
To register, head to the official ERES website and complete the online registration form. You will also find the full conference agenda, confirmed speakers, and detailed guidance on accommodation options across Athens. Get in early, get the better rate, and give yourself time to plan a trip worth making.
