Home Ownership in Europe

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Owning your home is more than just a financial decision—it’s often tied to stability, culture, and history. A home can be a family’s safety net, a long-term investment, or even a legacy passed down through generations. But just how common is it for people to own their homes in Europe? And why does it vary so much from one country to the next?

This map of home ownership rates in Europe in 2022 created by Reddit user u/matasfizzit helps us visualize these differences clearly.

Eastern Europe: Homeowners by Default

Look to the right side of the map, and you’ll see a cluster of countries with home ownership rates above 90%. Serbia leads the continent with 96%, followed closely by Romania (95.8%), Slovakia (93%), Croatia (91%), and Hungary (90%). Even Russia, although not shown on the map, has a high rate of 89%. Interestingly, Kazakhstan—another former Soviet republic—now boasts a home ownership rate of 98%, the highest in the world!

Why so high? The legacy of communism plays a central role here. After the fall of the Soviet Union, governments across Eastern Europe privatized public housing en masse. Many people were allowed to purchase their state-owned apartments at little or no cost during the 1990s. It wasn’t just a policy—it was a quiet revolution in ownership.

This unique history created a situation in which even lower-income families owned property. In countries like Serbia, Romania, or Bulgaria, owning your home isn’t just common—it’s expected.

Central Europe: A Mixed Landscape

Heading west into countries like Poland (87%), Czechia (77%), and Austria (51%), the numbers start to vary. While Poland remains closer to Eastern trends, Austria lands much lower, closer to Western norms. Germany, meanwhile, stands out with one of the lowest home ownership rates in Europe at just 47%.

Germany’s case is especially interesting. With strong tenant protections, long-term leases, and a rental culture that doesn’t carry the stigma it might in other places, renting is not just common—it’s preferred by many. For Germans, renting doesn’t mean instability. In fact, nearly half the population rents by choice, even among the middle class.

Western Europe: Renting in Prosperity

Across Western Europe, we see a trend of moderate-to-low home ownership. France stands at 63%, Belgium at 72%, and the Netherlands at 71%. While these countries have high living standards, soaring property prices—especially in major cities—make home ownership increasingly out of reach for many younger residents.

In Switzerland home ownership hovers around 65%, one of the lowest in the developed world. This is partly cultural—many Swiss view renting as more flexible and secure.

Southern Europe: High Ownership, Deep Roots

Move down into Southern Europe and you’ll see countries like Greece (73%), Italy (74%), Spain (76%), and Portugal (78%) with relatively high home ownership.

These countries share something in common: a tradition of family inheritance and long-term property ownership. Homes are often passed down through generations, sometimes shared among extended family. In rural areas, especially, owning your home is simply the norm.

At the same time, economic stagnation in recent decades has pushed young people to remain in their family homes longer. This raises ownership rates statistically, even if it doesn’t always reflect financial independence.

Northern Europe: Renting as a Lifestyle

Further north, Sweden (64%), Denmark (60%), and Finland (70%) show lower ownership than much of Eastern and Southern Europe. But here, too, renting isn’t viewed as second-best.

These are countries with strong social housing systems and relatively balanced renter protections. Sweden, in particular, has a large public rental sector. And while demand in cities like Stockholm drives prices up, there’s still a culture of renting without shame or urgency to buy.

Compare that to Ireland (70%) or Iceland (74%), where ownership is higher but housing shortages have made it harder for new generations to afford property. Even in the UK, where home ownership is around 65% (not shown on the map), a long legacy of ownership has recently run up against a housing affordability crisis—especially in London.

Home ownership in Europe isn’t just about bricks and mortar—it reflects deeper economic choices, political histories, and cultural attitudes. From the towering apartment blocks of post-Soviet cities to the tight rental markets of Berlin or Amsterdam, how people live says a lot about where they come from and what they prioritize.

What’s home ownership like where you live? Have you noticed differences across countries or regions? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments—especially if you’ve experienced the contrast between owning and renting across borders.