Young Greeks leave their parents’ home on average only at 30.9 years old – almost five years later than the EU average. GThe main reason is becoming more and more obvious: independent living has become too expensive.
Latest data Eurostat show that in 2025 Greece is once again among the European countries where young people stay in their parents’ home the longest.
– average age of leaving parental home in Greece – 30.9 years;
— EU average — 26.3 years;
– later, young Greeks leave only in Croatia – at 31.5 years;
— renting a one-room apartment in Athens can cost about 70% of average salary;
– two-room – up to 94%;
— Youth employment in Greece remains below the EU average.
Almost 31 years – and only then your own home
According to Eurostat, on average in the EU, young people leave their parents’ home at the age of 26.3 years. In Greece this figure reached 30.9 yearsup from 30.7 a year earlier.
The figure is higher only in Croatia – 31.5 years. Slovakia is at the same level as Greece, with Italy and Spain following at 30.2 years.
For comparison, in Finland young people leave their parents on average already in 21.4 yearsin Denmark – at 21.8.
The main problem is rent
If just a few years ago late leaving the parental home was often explained by the characteristics of the Mediterranean family, today the economic reason is becoming much more noticeable.
According to Greek housing market research, rent for a studio apartment in Athens can be around 70.2% of average monthly salaryand a two-room apartment is already 93.6%.
With such proportions, it is extremely difficult for a young person to simultaneously pay for an apartment, utilities, transport, groceries and other everyday expenses.
“Athens News” has already been analyzed in detail, how much does it cost to rent a small apartment or studio in Greece today?and also published general material on the cost of living in Greece in 2026.
Not everyone has a job
Eurostat notes another pattern: in countries where young people leave their parents earlier, employment tends to be higher among people 20–29 years old.
In Greece, youth employment remains noticeably below the European average, further delaying financial independence.
Even having a job does not always solve the problem: temporary contracts, low salaries and expensive rent force many to either stay with their parents or move to shared housing with friends.
It’s no longer a question of “they don’t want to leave”
The situation looks less and less like a voluntary choice. For a significant portion of young Greeks, leaving their parents’ home means a sharp drop in their standard of living or an almost complete lack of free money after paying for housing.
Therefore, age 30.9 today is more likely to reflect the state of the housing market and income than family habits.
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