Greece's housing and energy costs strain households

Around 26.4% of Greek households now spend more than 40% of their income on housing, putting roughly 2.75‑3 million people under severe affordability pressure. Since 2007, residential prices have risen about 77% while disposable income has grown only 14%, creating a gap of over 60 percentage points. The burden is greatest among low‑income families, with 82.1% of the poorest experiencing excessive housing costs. Although about 725,000 dwellings are vacant, the market lacks affordable options for many citizens.

Parallel to the housing squeeze, Greece faces a deepening energy crisis driven by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the war in Ukraine. The Greek Oil Traders Association (SEEP) has called for a “national alliance” between the state and fuel companies to secure stable fuel supplies and mitigate rising prices. It warns that without coordinated policy and possible tax adjustments, fuel costs will remain under upward pressure, further affecting households and businesses.

Both crises highlight the strain on Greek consumers and underscore the need for coordinated economic and policy responses to protect living standards.