In the first quarter of 2025, housing prices in the European Union increased by 5.7% compared to the same period the previous year, while rents rose by 3.2%. This growth aligns with the trends observed in recent years, where housing prices have shown more variability compared to rents, which have grown more steadily.
When compared to the fourth quarter of 2024, there was a 1.4% increase in housing prices and a 0.9% rise in rents. These figures, published by Eurostat, reflect the ongoing pressure facing the European real estate market.
From 2010 to early 2025, housing prices in the EU have significantly increased by 57.9%, while rents have risen by 27.8%. This difference underscores the tensions in housing access and the challenges faced by tenants. A more detailed analysis shows that between the first quarter of 2015 and the third quarter of 2022, there was a notable increase in housing prices, followed by a slight decrease and stabilization, before resuming the upward trend in 2024.
Examining the numbers more closely reveals that in 21 of the 26 EU countries studied, housing prices have increased more than rents since 2010. Countries like Hungary and Estonia stand out with increases exceeding 200% in housing prices. Additionally, Lithuania, Latvia, and the Czech Republic reported significant rises of over 140%. In contrast, Italy was the only country where prices fell, with a decrease of 4%.
In the rental market, all 26 EU countries documented increases, with Estonia, Lithuania, Hungary, and Ireland showing the most significant rises. Conversely, Greece stood out as the exception, experiencing an 11% drop in rental prices.
This constant rise in housing prices and rents raises significant questions about the sustainability of the real estate market in the region and its effect on the population. In a context where the cost of living remains a concern, the need for policies that ensure housing accessibility is becoming increasingly urgent, impacting the economic well-being of families facing these changing market dynamics.
Referrer: MiMub in Spanish
