A shifting landscape shapes the way Europeans find a place to call home, as homeownership in the European Union continues to slip to its lowest point ever recorded. Only 68% of EU residents call themselves homeowners in 2024, a subtle yet steady shuffle down from last year’s 69% and a noticeably steeper slide from the 73.2% peak in 2008. The rising tide of renters now covers 32% of the EU population, signaling a real change in how Europeans think about—and afford—their living spaces.
Homeownership in the EU falls to a record low, as more Europeans shift toward renting and rethink what home really means.
While some regions watch homeownership fade away like an old family photo, others remain stubbornly devoted to owning their homes. In Eastern Europe, the idea of homeownership is practically stitched into the local fabric. Romania boasts a stunning 94% ownership rate, followed closely by Slovakia at 93% and Hungary at 92%. This isn’t accidental—it traces back to post-socialist privatization, when people could buy their homes directly instead of relying on tricky mortgages.
These strong preferences explain why, in countries like Croatia, 91% of people still own their homes.
Meanwhile, the western parts of the EU showcase a livelier rental market. Germany stands out as the only country where more folks rent than own (53% enjoy life as tenants), and Austria isn’t far behind. Fancy flat living? Denmark’s 39% rental rate and France’s below-average homeownership show how renting can be just as popular as picking out paint colors for your forever home. The release of the new Housing in Europe – 2025 edition publication highlights these growing trends and provides further insight into how housing situations differ across the continent.
For many, though, it’s not only about choice—house prices have sprinted far ahead of the wallets trying to chase them, especially in cities. Try buying in 2024, and you’ll find borrowing capacity hasn’t kept up, even if incomes have nudged upward. Higher interest rates make mortgage dreams feel more like fantasy, nudging young adults to rent or stay with parents longer than planned.
Finally, the EU’s home landscape is a patchwork: some countries are full of house-dwellers (hello, Ireland, with 90% living in houses), while urban areas lean toward flats. With affordability challenges and shifting traditions, Europeans are rethinking what “home” truly means.
