What’s the average age of first-time homebuyers across Europe?
Homeownership Rates and Buying Trends
Poinews.com – As of 2025, owner-occupied homes make up 68.5% of households in the EU. This represents a decline of 2.2 percentage points from 2010 levels. Ownership rates vary significantly, with Slovakia leading at 93.8% and Germany trailing at 47.2%, according to Eurostat.
Age Variations Across Europe
A survey by RE/MAX Europe reveals that the average age for first-time purchases across 23 countries is 31.3 years. However, this figure fluctuates widely, from 28 years in Malta to 34.7 years in Switzerland and Greece. RE/MAX shared this data exclusively with Euronews Business.
Key Economies and Influencing Factors
Among Europe’s five largest economies, the UK has the youngest average age for first-time buyers at 28.4 years, matching Luxembourg’s figure. This trend is linked to strong family support, with 53% of UK residents aged 18–34 receiving financial assistance via gifts or inheritances. “This likely explains why some in the UK achieve homeownership earlier,” said Michael Polzler, RE/MAX Europe CEO. Germany, in contrast, has the highest average age at 33.6 years, reflecting a cultural preference for renting. “Renting is often seen as a stable long-term option here,” Polzler noted. Over 69% of German respondents aged 18–34 currently rent, compared to 38% in Europe overall.
Other Countries and Age Groups
Turkey ranks third with an average age of 34.1, while Czechia, Poland, Bulgaria, Slovenia, and Croatia also exceed the European average. Hungary and the Netherlands are among the earliest, with averages of 28.5 and 28.8 years respectively. Austria, Portugal, and Finland see first-time buyers before age 30. The youngest group (18–25) shows stark differences, with the UK leading at 40.2% of buyers purchasing by 25. Greece, however, has the lowest rate at 12.1% for this age range. Combining 18–25 and 26–35 groups, only 50.4% of Greeks buy their first home by 35. Switzerland (53.2%) and Turkey (56%) also lag behind, with the European average at 69.5%.
Housing Crisis and Data Sources
The survey indicates no clear link between home ownership rates and the average age of first-time purchases. Ownership data comes from Eurostat, while age-related insights are drawn from RE/MAX’s analysis of over 21,000 respondents. Europe’s housing challenges, driven by rising prices and costs, are highlighted in the report. Despite these pressures, the UK, Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Hungary lead in early homeownership, with over 80% of their populations purchasing by 35.
“While affordability often determines the age at which people buy, family support and cultural norms around renting also play important roles,” Polzler added.
The RE/MAX findings underscore the complex interplay of economic, social, and cultural factors shaping when Europeans become homeowners.
