Greece Tops EU for Housing Costs, Keeping Young Adults at Parents’ Home

Greeks person historically delayed moving into their ain homes. Credit: Greek Reporter

Greece has the highest housing cost overburden successful the European Union, according to caller figures from Eurostat, the EU’s statistical office. Nearly 1 successful 3 Greeks (30.3%) spends astatine slightest 40% of their disposable income connected housing, compared with conscionable 8.2% crossed the EU.

Denmark follows astatine 28.9%, portion countries similar the Netherlands (15.3%), Germany (14.8%), and Sweden (13.5%) study importantly little levels. At the different extremity of the spectrum, Croatia (2.1%), Cyprus (2.8%), and Slovenia (3%) grounds the lowest rates.

Young Greeks Among Europe’s Latest to Move Out

These steep lodging costs are intimately linked to different trend: young Greeks are among the Europeans who permission their parents’ location astatine the latest age. On average, they determination retired astatine 30.7 years old, trailing lone Croatia (31.3) and Slovakia (30.9). By contrast, successful Northern Europe, young radical permission overmuch earlier—21.4 successful Finland, 21.7 successful Denmark, and 21.9 successful Sweden.

While Greeks person historically delayed moving into their ain homes, the spread has widened since the financial crisis and particularly successful the past fewer years, erstwhile lodging affordability became an acute challenge.

The Greek Paradox

Eurostat reports that successful 16 of the EU’s 27 subordinate states, including Greece, young radical nether 29 look a disproportionate load from lodging costs comparative to their income.

In countries wherever young radical thin to determination retired earlier—such arsenic Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, and Finland—housing costs spot a heavier load connected youth.

By contrast, countries wherever young adults permission location later, similar Cyprus, Croatia, and Italy, mostly study little lodging outgo pressures.

Greece is an exception: contempt young radical leaving location comparatively late, they inactive look a precocious lodging outgo overburden.

In 2024, 9.7% of young radical (aged 15-29) successful the EU spent 40% oregon much of their disposable income connected lodging (housing outgo overburden rate).🏡📈

Highest in:
🇬🇷Greece (30.3%)
🇩🇰Denmark (28.9%)

Lowest in:
🇭🇷Croatia (2.1%)
🇨🇾Cyprus (2.8%)

Learn more👉https://t.co/H88tM5h6Yz pic.twitter.com/ErbTtB2WsF

— EU_Eurostat (@EU_Eurostat) September 23, 2025