Europe’s housing crisis continues to escalate, with soaring property prices and a lack of affordable housing making it increasingly difficult for young people to enter the market—particularly in Spain, where residents in major cities are being priced out.

Rising Housing Costs Across the EU

Affordable housing has become a pressing issue across the EU, with one in 10 households in major cities spending more than 40% of their income on rent, according to the latest Eurostat data. This figure drops to 7% in rural areas. A combination of rising property prices, limited housing supply, and the expansion of tourist rentals is making access to housing more challenging, especially for young people.

Between 2010 and the third quarter of 2024, house prices in the EU surged by 54%, while rents increased by 26%. Estonia and Lithuania experienced the steepest increases, whereas Italy saw house prices decline, and Greece was the only country where rent prices fell.

Spain Faces a Severe Housing Crunch

Spain has been particularly affected, with rental prices soaring by 11.5% in 2024, according to property website Idealista. December marked a record high, with average rental prices reaching €13.5 per square meter.

“In Madrid, housing prices have surged by 20% in the past year for purchases and 15.4% for rentals,” said Quique Villalobos, a spokesperson for urban planning and housing at the Federation of Neighbourhood Associations of Madrid.

In the city centre, rents have jumped by 21%, with few properties available for less than €2,000 per month. In nearby metropolitan areas, three-bedroom apartments now command between €1,200 and €1,500 per month.

Barcelona faces a similar crisis, with the booming short-term rental market playing a key role in driving up costs.

Young People Struggling the Most

The housing crisis has hit young people particularly hard. On average, Europeans leave their parental homes at 26.3 years old, but in Spain, that figure rises to 30.4—one of the highest in the EU.

“Housing is responsible for 70% of inequality in Spain,” said Víctor Camino, a Socialist Party (PSOE) lawmaker. “Thousands of young people spend up to 70% of their salary on rent or mortgage payments.”

Paula de las Heras, a lawmaker from the opposition People’s Party (PP), noted that young people have been struggling for over a decade due to stagnant wages and limited savings. The upfront cost of homeownership, requiring €20,000–40,000 in initial investment, remains out of reach for many.

Political Divide Over Housing Solutions

Spain’s government, led by PSOE, is enforcing a new Housing Law that includes rent caps in high-cost areas. Camino pointed out that while rent prices have declined in Catalonia, they have continued to rise in Madrid, where local authorities have refused to implement the law.

De las Heras defended Madrid’s approach, emphasizing initiatives to expand affordable rental housing and help young buyers enter the market.

Villalobos argued that increasing public housing supply is key, calling for government investment to raise Madrid’s public housing share from 1% to 9%. He also advocated for taxing vacant homes and banning evictions without alternatives.

A Widespread Challenge Across the EU

Europe’s housing crisis is not confined to Spain—it is a structural problem affecting the entire bloc. Recognizing adequate housing as a fundamental right, the European Parliament passed a resolution in 2021 calling for stronger protections. In 2024, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen prioritized housing policy, leading to the creation of a special committee to propose solutions by 2025.

As policymakers seek solutions, millions of young Europeans face an uncertain future in an increasingly unaffordable market. Camino stressed the need for coordinated political action, warning against a society divided between wealthy property owners and struggling tenants.