Spain's home ownership stays second in Europe as house prices surge

Spain remains the EU's second‑largest home‑owner nation, with 73.6% of the population living in owned dwellings, behind Italy's 77%. The ownership share has slipped from 79.8% fifteen years ago, while rental occupancy is low at 26.4%, well under the EU average of 31%.

House prices in Spain jumped 12.7% in 2025, the biggest rise since 2007, marking the twelfth consecutive year of price increases. The surge is intensifying an already severe housing crisis, pushing the average age of first‑time buyers to 41 and the average emancipation age to 30.

Amid these pressures, architects argue that purchasing land and building a home can be a more profitable long‑term strategy than buying an existing house. They cite benefits such as full design control, potential for higher revaluation, and easier incorporation of energy‑efficiency measures.