Many Europeans who do not own their home are not optimistic about buying one. Across 23 countries, almost half say they will never be able to purchase a home or are not interested in doing so, according to the RE/MAX European Housing Trend Report 2025.
The picture varies widely from country to country. Where is the share of people most pessimistic about buying a home highest, and why?
The survey, conducted in August 2025 asked a simple question: “When, if ever, do you think you will be able to purchase a property?”
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 purchase a property”. The share ranged from 13% in Turkey to 44% in Czechia.
At least one in three respondents gave that answer in Slovenia (39%), Italy (35%), Malta (34%), Ireland (33%), Poland (33%) and Hungary (33%). The figure was also above the European average in Finland (32%), Greece (30%), Switzerland (30%) and Austria (29%).
At the lower end, Luxembourg (17%) followed Turkey. Lithuania stood at 21%, still above one in five.
Among Europe’s five largest economies, Italy (35%) recorded the highest share. Spain and France were the lowest at 25%, with the UK close behind at 26%. Germany was at 28%, slightly below the European average.
“Slow economic growth has dampened income gains 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,” Michael Polzler, CEO of RE/MAX Europe, told Euronews Business.
He said countries such as Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic are seeing more people step away from the housing ladder, as rising prices and longer saving times put homeownership increasingly out of reach..
15% not interested in purchasing
Some 15% of respondents said they are not interested in buying a property. The share ranges from 4% in Ireland to 31% in Germany. It is also above 20% in the Netherlands (27%), Austria (25%) and Switzerland (22%).
Polzler emphasized that it’s not just about house prices but there’s a cultural aspect too. “In Germany and Austria, renting is far more common and culturally accepted. The long-term stability of their rental markets, backed by strong tenant protections, means households feel less urgency to purchase early,” he said.
The share of people not interested in buying a home is in single digits in several countries, including Turkey (5%), Spain (7%), Bulgaria (7%) and Hungary (9%).
Nearly half unable or not interested in buying
When the shares of those who say ‘Never – I don’t think I will ever be able to purchase a property’ and ‘I am not interested in purchasing a property’ are combined, nearly half of Europeans (44%) who do not own their home doubt they will ever buy one.
This share exceeds half in several countries, including Germany (59%), Austria (54%), Czechia (54%), the Netherlands (53%) and Switzerland (52%).
Malta (49%), Italy (49%), Finland (48%) and Slovenia (48%) are also close to this level, while Poland (44%) and the UK (44%) are in line with the European average.
Turkey an outlier on the lower end
The share of people who say they are unable or not interested in buying a home is lowest in Turkey. Fewer than one in five respondents (18%) agreed with that statement, compared with 28% in the next-lowest country, Lithuania, making Turkey a clear outlier.
“It’s interesting to see that view still holding strong in Turkey. This is likely because, despite inflation and financial volatility, property is widely viewed as a primary store of value,” Michael Polzler said.
Among Europe’s five largest economies, Spain had the lowest share at 32%, followed by France at 40%. Germany ranked highest at 59%, ahead of Italy (49%), while the UK was at the European average.
Polzler said Spain continues to show the resilience of its ownership culture.
“Homeownership is seen as closely linked to long-term financial security and family stability. Even with tighter mortgage conditions and employment uncertainty, the aspiration to own remains high, reflecting a widespread belief that housing provides protection against future economic uncertainty,” he said.
Why some choose not to buy a home?
The reasons for not wanting to buy a property vary. However, this group makes up only 15% of those who do not own their home.
On average across 23 countries, more than half of them (53%) say they are happy with their current situation and see no need to buy a home.
Another 21% do not want the ongoing responsibilities that come with property ownership. Nearly one in five (19%) believe owning a home is not worth the money or that property is overpriced.
Flexibility is also a key reason. Some 16% prefer to move easily and not be tied to one location, while 13% say they can afford to rent in areas where they would not be able to buy. Only 5% say they are worried about property prices falling.
Social milestone vs financial strategy
Michael Polzler underlined that while the housing market presents undeniable challenges, homeownership remains a meaningful goal for most Europeans.
However, the role of property is evolving.” Where previous generations saw homeownership primarily as a social milestone, today it’s increasingly perceived as a financial strategy,” he said.
According to Eurostat, nearly 70% of EU residents own their homes, while the remaining 30% rent.