Where in Europe is it most expensive to buy an apartment: a ranking of cities

Housing costs in major European cities continue to rise much faster than household incomes. In some capital cities, it would take 10 to 16 years to save up for a standard apartment, even if you set aside your entire salary. Learn more about the ranking of the least affordable cities for buying real estate in Europe

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Buying a home in Europe is becoming an increasingly difficult task, even for those with a stable income. In many cities, the gap between rising real estate prices and wage levels is reaching critical levels.

Which European capitals lead in housing affordability, and how many years would you need to save your entire salary to buy an apartment? We’ll cover that in this article.

Planning to buy real estate in one of the European countries?

A Visit World lawyer specializing in overseas real estate will advise you on legal requirements, the specifics of closing a deal, and tax obligations in a particular country.

How is housing affordability assessed in Europe?

One of the key indicators of housing affordability is the ratio of an apartment’s cost to a city resident’s annual income. For comparison, a standard new 70 m² apartment and the average salary in a specific city are typically used. The more annual salaries required for a purchase, the less affordable the market is.

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Ranking of Europe’s most expensive cities by housing costs relative to salaries

Prague has become the absolute leader among European cities in terms of housing unaffordability. A resident of the Czech capital with an average income would have to save their entire salary for nearly 16 years (15.9 times their annual salary) to afford a new 70 m² apartment.

The six least affordable cities also include:

1. Bratislava — 13.9 years’ salary.
2. Munich — 10.9 years’ salary.
3. Warsaw — 9.2 years’ salary.
4. Berlin — 8.4 years’ salary.
5. Vienna — 8.1 years’ salary.

Even in Vienna, which brings up the rear in the ranking, a resident needs more than eight full years’ income to purchase standard housing.

Why has Prague become the least affordable real estate market?

Over the past decade, the cost of new apartments in Prague has risen by approximately 180%. At the same time, average wages over the same period rose by only 80%. The gap between housing prices and household incomes continues to widen, creating serious pressure on both the mortgage market and the rental sector.

Experts note that this trend is increasing the mortgage burden on households and deepening the crisis in the rental housing market.

We previously reported that Poland is changing the rules for foreigners buying homes.

What does this mean for real estate buyers in Europe?

The high barrier to entry into the housing market in these cities is forcing potential buyers to analyze transaction terms, mortgage programs, and legal nuances in each specific country more carefully. Rules for property purchases by foreigners, tax obligations, and registration requirements vary significantly from country to country.

The Visit World portal offers the opportunity to receive professional legal advice on real estate matters abroad. An expert will help you navigate the legal aspects of buying a home in a specific European country, review documents, and avoid risks.

Schedule a consultation to make an informed decision about purchasing real estate!

Reminder! In our previous article, we discussed the best countries for real estate investment in 2026.

Photo: Magnific

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