In a parliamentary question addressed to the minister of National Economy and Finance, Kyriakos Pierrakakis, and the minister of Social Cohesion and Family, Domna Michaelidou, PASOK MPs cite Eurostat data showing that Greece has the highest housing cost burden in the European Union.

According to the MPs, 28.9% of the population in Greece spends more than 40% of its disposable income on rent and housing costs, placing the country first in the EU.

They add that households are facing this pressure both in major urban centres and in rural areas, showing that the crisis has now become nationwide and is no longer confined to cities. They also stress that rents are continuing to rise, increasing by 10.1% in 2025, making Greece the European country with the heaviest housing burden.

PASOK also cites data from the Centre for Liberal Studies (KEFIM), which it says is even more revealing. According to the party, a small apartment of up to 60 sq m in Attica requires 70.2% of the average salary, while for larger apartments the figure approaches 94%.

‘This means that thousands of families and workers have literally lost all access to decent housing, while a social and demographic catastrophe is under way. Citizens are experiencing constant and relentless social and economic pressure. Young people are forced to remain in their parents’ homes, couples are postponing family life, workers and pensioners are being driven into housing insecurity, while the middle class sees its income completely absorbed by rent alone. In this landscape, the government is simply watching, without any substantial initiatives, without a plan, without a perspective,’ the MPs state.

PASOK asks the government to inform Parliament:

  1. How does the government assess the Eurostat data ranking Greece first in the European Union for citizens’ housing burden, and the KEFIM data revealing individual dramatic aspects of the issue?
  2. Why does the government continue to remain apathetic and fail to implement a comprehensive social housing programme, despite the rapid deterioration of housing conditions?
  3. What are the measurable results of government interventions in housing policy to date, and what precise quantitative and qualitative indicators demonstrate their effectiveness?
  4. What specific additional measures does it intend to take to immediately halt the explosive increase in rents?
  5. Does the government intend to establish a new, stricter framework for regulating short-term rentals in areas where rents are skyrocketing and permanent residents are being displaced?
  6. What initiatives does it intend to take to support young people and young couples in particular, who are no longer able to access decent housing, resulting in housing insecurity, demographic suffocation and the inability to live independently?

‘PASOK explicitly states: housing cannot be a privilege of the few, but must be a fundamental human right. We demand immediate and effective solutions. The government must stop simply watching and deliberately turning a deaf ear. It must assume its responsibilities and act immediately.

‘Citizens demand answers and PASOK will continue to demand policies that ensure the right to housing as a condition for social cohesion and a future for the country. Access to housing, with justice and equality, will also be a central issue-proposal of PASOK for the upcoming constitutional revision,’ the party’s statement concludes.

______________________________________________

Are you seeking news from Greece presented from a progressive, non-mainstream perspective? Subscribe monthly or annually to support TPP International in delivering independent reporting in English. Don’t let Greek progressive voices fade.

Make sure to reference “TPP International” and your order number as the reason for payment.