Find research and data that can help you understand housing market trends, using EIB analysis alongside key EU sources, and explore how we address these challenges through dedicated financing solutions and advisory support.
Finance and advice for your housing project
From small businesses and start-ups, to large corporations and local authorities, discover how we can help you.
what you need to know
Housing challenges in Europe
The European housing sector faces unprecedented challenges affecting millions of citizens - from rising costs and declining affordability to aging infrastructure and lower energy efficiency.
Rising housing costs outpace incomes
Housing costs have increasingly outpaced household incomes, with the gap widening dramatically since 2019.
- Affordability of homes has worsened making homeownership difficult, especially for first-time buyers.
- Since 2019, the price-to-income ratio has increased sharply, accelerating during the pandemic
- By 2022, housing was nearly 20% less affordable than in 2015
Europe’s ageing housing stock
This visualisation breaks down Europe's housing stock by construction period. Buildings constructed in earlier decades generally consume more energy and cost more to maintain.
- Nearly 50% of EU housing was built before 1980, requiring significant renovation
- Only a small fraction of buildings were constructed after 2011
- Renovation needs present opportunities for energy efficiency improvements
Innovation gap in the EU construction sector
Construction companies are less likely to innovate than the EU business average, affecting sector productivity.
- 76% of construction companies do not innovate compared to 68% across all sectors
- Less than 7% of construction companies create breakthrough innovations
- Only one in four construction firms implement any form of innovation
Our response
Addressing Europe's housing challenges
The EIB Group is tackling these challenges through strategic investments and partnerships across the EU.
Our housing investments are improving lives across Europe. Our portfolio over the last five years (2020-2024) includes
- Total financing for improved energy efficiency: €6.4 billion
- Total financing for affordable housing: €9.2 billion
- More than 267 000 newly built housing units
- More than 403 000 renovated housing units
Through our projects across the European Union, we're addressing housing affordability while promoting sustainability and energy efficiency.
Housing units built or renovated with our support
Breakdown of EIB Group housing financing
Our financing by country
Key publications
Catalogue des produits du Groupe BEI
Cette publication présente une vue d’ensemble de l’offre d’instruments financiers et de services de conseil du Groupe BEI, dont elle met en évidence les caractéristiques, les avantages et l’impact sur l’économie au sens large.
Promoting gender equality in public social housing
By showcasing Valencia’s ambitious gender-inclusive social housing project, the report demonstrates the integration of gender perspectives in public housing.
Sustainable innovation
The European Investment Bank is working hard to improve water and address the lack of affordable housing, while also supporting EU enlargement countries.
More data and resources
Explore key European housing statistics, research papers, and practical resources to support your housing project.
Housing data and research
- Housing price statistics - Eurostat
- Rising housing costs in the EU: the facts (infographics) | European Parliament
- House for All: Access to Affordable and Quality Housing for All People | ESPON
- Housing in Europe – 2023 edition - Interactive publications - Eurostat
- Age of leaving the parental home steady in 2023 - News articles - Eurostat
- Unaffordable and inadequate housing in Europe | European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions
Resources for the housing sector
- Housing Europe · Public, cooperative, social housing sector in Europe
- Funding for cities - European Commission
- Affordable housing initiative - European Commission
- Urban Agenda for the EU - European Commission
- Operational toolkit on the use of EU funds for investments in social housing and associated services - European Commission
- Energy Performance of Buildings Directive
- A coordinated EU approach to housing | Think Tank | European Parliament
Case studies
Examples of how the EIB finances affordable and sustainable housing
Latest news
The EIB supports new investments in affordable and sustainable housing
Events
Explore past and upcoming housing events
EIB Group Forum 2025
Investing in a more sustainable and secure Europe
Technical Workshop
Developing actionable strategies to increase the supply of affordable and sustainable housing
Scaling up Support on Affordable and Sustainable Housing
This first meeting focused on exploring key administrative, economic and financial barriers and levers to unlock investments