50% of Europeans cannot afford to buy a house - Report, profound differences from one country to another
Many Europeans are not optimistic about buying a home. Across 23 countries, almost half say they will never be able to buy a home, or are not interested in doing so, according to the RE/MAX European Housing Trend Report 2025.
The survey, conducted in August 2025, asked a simple question: “When do you think you will be able to buy a property, if ever?” Three in ten think they will never buy a home.
On average, 29% of respondents said: “Never – I don’t think I will ever be able to buy a property”. The percentage ranged from 13% in Turkey to 44% in the Czech Republic. Among Europe’s five largest economies, Italy (35%) recorded the highest share. Spain and France were the lowest at 25%, with the UK very close behind at 26%. Germany was at 28%, just below the European average.
"Slow economic growth has depressed incomes in many parts of Europe, while property prices have continued to rise. As a result, affordability remains a significant challenge - particularly for younger generations - even in markets with relatively stable employment conditions," the report's authors said.
Countries like Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic are seeing more and more people moving away from the housing purchase ladder, as rising prices and longer savings times make home ownership increasingly impossible.
Around 15% of respondents said they were not interested in buying a property. The percentage ranges from 4% in Ireland to 31% in Germany. It is also above 20% in the Netherlands (27%), Austria (25%) and Switzerland (22%). These figures are not just about house prices, but also have a cultural aspect. In Germany and Austria, renting is much more common and culturally accepted. The long-term stability of their rental markets, supported by strong tenant protections, means that households feel less of an urgency to buy early.
Italy increases tax on energy companies - Will finance bill reduction for families and businesses
Italy approved a two percentage point increase in the IRAP corporate tax on energy firms, to help finance a package of measures aimed at reducing bills for......
Protection for European banks and card schemes - ECB's Cipollone talks about the future of the digital euro
The digital euro will be designed to protect European card schemes and keep banks at the heart of the region's payments system, a senior European Central......
Online portal to bypass content bans - US plans to fight censorship in Europe and the world
The US State Department is developing an online portal that will allow people in Europe and around the world to view content banned by their governments,......
OBP, 35.5 million euros in procurement savings in 21 months
The Centralized Purchasing Operator (CPO) has managed to save 35.5 million euros for the state budget from procurement procedures in 21 months of operation.......
Funding for beekeeping doubled - Salla: 10 thousand euros in grants for young people in livestock farming. IPARD III unlocked
The National Agricultural Support Scheme, applications for which are expected to open soon, will change this year. At a press conference, Minister of......
Albania–Turkey, a common vision for investments in tourism - Muhamed Isler: It is the locomotive of the Albanian economy
An activity on tourism sectoral development was organized in Tirana with the focus on Albania as a tourist destination for the next 12 months. The head of......
"Strengthening the regional and European common market" - Ibrahimaj: Turns Albania into an entry point for the West and the East
"Strategic Connectivity and Regional Economic Growth: The Economic Potential of Corridor VIII" was the economic forum held in Tirana. In her speech, the......
Rama heads to Washington, participates in the official establishment of the Peace Board!
Prime Minister Edi Rama is leaving for Washington today, in response to the invitation of US President Donald J. Trump to participate in the official......
