Europeans create couples for housing: survey reveals the scale of the phenomenon

Rising real estate prices in the European Union

According to glavcom.ua: Recently, real estate prices in the European Union have become so high that young people have started to consider relationships as a financial strategy for acquiring their own housing. According to a new survey conducted by the real estate company RE/MAX, a significant number of Europeans are willing to form a couple to share the financial burden and buy housing faster.

The survey covered over 20 thousand individuals in 23 countries and showed that 37% of single Europeans believe they will never be able to afford to buy their own housing. Prices for housing increased by 5.4% in the second quarter of 2025, leading to the emergence of new strategies for quickly acquiring real estate.

Financial and economic indicators

According to the survey, 26% of respondents believe that forming a couple is a practical way to quickly acquire housing. This approach is particularly common among young members of Generation Z – 35%. This strategy is most often employed by residents of the Netherlands and Portugal (33% each).

According to Michael Poltzler, CEO of RE/MAX Europe, housing affordability is determined not only by the place of residence but also by the financial status of those who will jointly purchase housing. The main obstacle remains the salary level for 58% of respondents, especially in Poland and Hungary.

Europeans are forced to seek alternative ways to buy housing due to rising real estate prices. Many young people view forming couples as a means to acquire housing faster and distribute financial resources.