Greece housing costs soar, >25% of households spend over 40% income
Eurostat data for 2025 show that 26.4% of Greek households allocate at least 40% of their disposable income to housing, far above the EU average of 7.7% and well beyond Denmark (23.4%) and Germany (11.2%). The same agency reports that 41.8% of Greeks struggled to meet housing‑related payments in 2025.
Rent prices rose by 5% in the first quarter of 2026, compared with a 1.8% increase across the EU, making Greece the third‑largest rent‑increase market after Croatia and Bulgaria. Apartment prices also climbed, with the Greek price‑to‑income index up 5.7% year‑on‑year in Q1 2026.
Housing affordability pressures are reflected in household composition: 56.3% of Greeks aged 25‑34 still live with their parents, the second‑highest rate in Europe. The price‑to‑income ratio has risen 25% since 2015, and the IMF notes that housing costs now consume about 35% of disposable income. Teachers face acute difficulties, with an 80 m² apartment in an urban area costing over €200,000, limiting their ability to secure stable housing.
Entities: Eurostat · Greece · Greek households · Greek teachers · Greek tourism sector · Greek young adults · OECD · Revolut · TTΕ
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] In 2025, 41.8% of Greeks had difficulty paying housing‑related obligations, versus 9% EU average (Eurostat). (Eurostat)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] 26.4% of Greek households spend at least 40% of disposable income on housing (Eurostat 2025). (Eurostat data published in August 2025.)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Greek house‑price index rose 5.7% annually in Q1 2026 (TTΕ). (TTΕ)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Greek rents increased by 5% in Q1 2026, compared with a 1.8% increase across the EU (Eurostat). (Eurostat)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The EU average share of disposable income spent on housing is 7.7% (Eurostat). (Eurostat comparative data.)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The price‑to‑income ratio in Greece increased by 25% since 2015 (OECD). (OECD analysis cited in domestic reports.)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Greece recorded the third‑largest rent increase in Q1 2026 after Croatia and Bulgaria (Eurostat). (Eurostat)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] 56.3% of Greeks aged 25‑34 live with their parents, the second‑highest rate in Europe (Eurostat). (Eurostat)
- [● 2 SOURCES] 56.3% of Greeks aged 25‑34 live with their parents (Eurostat). (Eurostat household composition data 2025.)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] 41.8% of Greeks had difficulty paying housing‑related obligations in 2025 (Eurostat). (Eurostat 2025 report.)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Greek rents increased by 5% in Q1 2026, versus a 1.8% rise across the EU. (Eurostat Q1 2026 housing price data.)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Greek apartment price index rose 5.7% year‑on‑year in Q1 2026 (TTΕ). (TTΕ housing price index.)