In Greece, the share of the population with such expenses reaches 26.4%, which is the highest rate in Europe
More than 34 million residents of the European Union spend over 40% of their income on housing, creating a significant financial burden on households. The highest percentage of such individuals is recorded in Greece, while the largest number of people in this situation resides in Germany. This was reported by Minfin citing Euronews, according to the portal PromPolitInform.
On average across the EU, the share of the population spending more than 40% of their own funds on housing stood at 7.7% in 2025. This cost structure, beyond rent or mortgage payments, includes utility bills, insurance, routine maintenance, heating, and taxes. According to experts, the fact that housing maintenance costs are rising faster than citizens’ incomes is the primary reason for the intensifying financial pressure.
Leaders by percentage
The most difficult situation is observed in Greece, where 26.4% of the population spends a large portion of their income on housing, which is three times the European average. Countries with high rates include Denmark (14.7%), Germany (11.2%), and Sweden (10.8%). Meanwhile, the lowest figures were recorded in Cyprus at 2.4%, as well as in Croatia, Slovakia, and Slovenia.
Absolute figures and vulnerable groups
When assessing the number of people in absolute terms, Germany leads with 9.4 million residents living in such conditions. Turkey ranks second with 8.6 million people, followed by France and Spain. Among citizens with the lowest incomes, the situation is significantly worse: nearly one in three EU residents in this group spends over 40% of their income on housing.
Factors of financial burden
Researchers note that the impact of these expenses depends on each state’s economic model, the availability of social support programs, and the state of the real estate market. Analysts, including Dr. Anna Widmer from ETH Zürich, emphasize that private sector tenants experience the greatest financial strain. It is expected that rising energy prices will remain a key factor contributing to further increases in housing maintenance costs in 2026.
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