2024 has brought new realities to the real estate market in Europe. Those dreaming of living in the world's capitals should prepare their wallets for new rental rates that reflect high demand and limited housing supply. This review will help you find out about the most expensive capitals in Europe for rent, reveal the characteristics of the market in each of them, and also offer more affordable options for those who are looking for a balance between quality of life and its cost. And for those who want to swim in their own pool even in winter, we have prepared a review of sunny Spain.
Leaders in rental price
Some European capitals are known for their record rental prices, which continue to rise every year. London, Amsterdam, Rome and Paris remain the most expensive for renters in 2024.
- 🇬🇧 London. The British capital once again ranks first among the most expensive cities for renting housing. The average rent here is 3,220 euros per month, and in popular areas the amount can reach 3,795 euros. This is a 2.5% increase on the previous year, putting London out of reach for most renters, especially in central areas.
- 🇳🇱 Amsterdam. The Dutch capital comes in second with rents of around €2,275 per one-room apartment. High demand and limited space make Amsterdam an attractive yet expensive place to live.
- 🇮🇹 Rome and Paris 🇫🇷. The eternal city of Rome and romantic Paris are also included in the list of the most expensive capitals. In Rome, rent is about 2,000 euros per month, while in Paris it is approximately 1,862 euros.
In addition to the leaders, there are cities in Europe where rent is not so high, but still significantly above the continental average. Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht are cities with a high standard of living and attractive conditions, but also with high rental costs. Rotterdam actively attracts young people and professionals, which has an impact on the real estate market. The average rental price here is close to 1,800 euros, and prices continue to rise due to high demand. Although The Hague and Utrecht are less popular among tourists compared to London or Paris, they offer developed infrastructure and a high standard of living. Rents here also hover around €1,800, putting them out of reach for many locals.
Available Alternatives
Those looking for budget rental options should pay attention to the capitals of Eastern Europe, where rental prices are much lower.
- 🇭🇺 Budapest. The Hungarian capital is one of the most affordable cities in Europe to rent. Here, renting an apartment will cost an average of 950 euros, which makes the city attractive to those looking for affordable housing in a culturally developed place.
- 🇬🇷 Athens and Turin🇮🇹. These cities also offer relatively low rental costs. In Athens, renting an apartment will be about 1,000 euros, and in Turin – 1,100 euros. These are affordable options for those who prefer to live in a historical and economically stable city without overpaying for housing.
The European rental market in 2024 continues to show significant differences across cities and regions. The capitals of Western Europe, such as London and Amsterdam, hold leading positions in terms of rental costs, making them affordable only for wealthy tenants. At the same time, Eastern European capitals such as Budapest and Athens provide excellent living conditions with more affordable prices.
Real estate market for swimming pools in Spain
Spain is a country with a warm climate, picturesque coastlines and a popular real estate market, where buying an apartment with a swimming pool becomes not just a dream, but a status symbol. Every year such properties are increasing in price, especially in regions with high competition. According to data from Idealista, only 24% of apartments on the Spanish property market offer access to a swimming pool. Nevertheless, such properties continue to attract attention and are more expensive than apartments without this convenient option.
- Santa Cruz de Tenerife: this location shows the most significant increase in value - the presence of a swimming pool increases the price of the apartment by as much as 108%! This means that accommodation with pool here it is almost twice as expensive as a similar one without it. Santa Cruz de Tenerife is considered one of the most expensive locations.
- Teruel and Bilbao: In these cities, buyers pay 60% more for apartments with a pool. Although Teruel and Bilbao are less known among foreigners, rising property values indicate stable demand.
- Barcelona: a famous metropolis and a center of tourist attraction, where you will have to pay about 59% extra for an apartment with a swimming pool. Having a swimming pool becomes an important advantage, especially in conditions of high building density and hot climates.
- Pamplona and Lleida: the price difference here is about 58%, which makes them attractive to those who value comfort and are willing to pay for it.
- Alicante, Burgos and Castellon de la Plana: these cities also show a significant difference - 50% more expensive for properties with a swimming pool. Alicante is especially popular for its beaches and mild climate.
Not all cities in Spain have a significant impact on the price of a property. In some locations, the cost impact of having a pool is minimal.
- Madrid: here a swimming pool increases the price of an apartment by only 3%, which makes it a less significant factor in the capital's market, where buyers are more focused on prestige and location.
- Seville: in this city the difference is even smaller - only 1%. The climate here is also warm, but buyers don't seem to view a pool as a must-have amenity.
- San Sebastiani Ceuta: in these regions, the presence of a swimming pool has virtually no effect on the price, which makes it possible to purchase a property with additional amenities without overpaying.
- Salamanca: an unusual case, where apartments with a pool are 12% cheaper than without one. This may be due to the characteristics of demand and the real estate market in the region.
The real estate market with a swimming pool in Spain is very diverse - from regions where the presence of a swimming pool doubles the price of an apartment, to cities where this does not affect the cost at all.