Young adults in southern and eastern Europe typically leave home later than their northern counterparts — often not until their 30s, compared with early‑20s in countries like Finland and Denmark. Lower youth employment and a preference for buying homes help explain the trend: first‑time purchase ages in Spain, Italy and Greece match typical departure ages. Family assistance — cash gifts, inheritances or parental property — is widespread and has grown across generations, making Gen Z the most supported cohort.
When Do Young Europeans Leave Home? Why Southern And Eastern Countries Stay With Parents Longer
When should you fly the nest? Here are the Europeans living longest with their parents
Young Europeans' timing for leaving the parental home varies dramatically across the continent — by almost a decade between north and south.
According to the latest Eurostat data, many young people in southern and eastern Europe do not move out until their 30s. Countries such as Italy, Spain and Greece typically report average departure ages of 30 or older, while northern countries show much earlier independence: Finland averages 21, Denmark 22, and Estonia and Sweden 23. The EU average is 26, and this figure has remained broadly stable over the past two decades.
Economic Context Matters
Economic conditions help explain the gap. Nations where young adults leave later — including Greece, Croatia, Spain and Italy — also have below‑average youth employment rates. Italy records the lowest youth employment in the bloc at 47.6%, followed by Romania at 52% and Bulgaria at 52.7%, compared with the EU average of 65.5%.
Homeownership And The "Parent Factor"
Departure timing is closely linked to housing choices. In much of southern Europe, young adults often move straight into homeownership rather than renting for long periods. RE/MAX's housing report shows common first‑time purchase ages that closely match departure ages in those countries: 31 in Spain, 33 in Italy and 35 in Greece. This pattern contrasts with Austria, Germany and Switzerland, where renting is more common among young adults.
Family assistance plays a major role. Large shares of homeowners in Spain, Croatia, Greece and Italy received help from relatives — typically cash gifts, inheritances, or moving into a property purchased earlier by parents. Reported parental support rates include 75% in Greece, 72% in both Italy and Croatia, and 78% in Bulgaria. By contrast, around two‑thirds or more of parents in the UK, France and the Netherlands do not provide such help.
Generational Trends
Parental support has increased across generations. Gen Z (roughly ages 18–27) are the most assisted cohort at about 74%, followed by Millennials at 68% and Gen X at 59%. Only Boomers (49%) and the Silent Generation (37%) saw a majority without parental help.
Bottom line: Delayed departures from the parental home in southern and eastern Europe are tied to labour market challenges and a cultural/economic preference for direct homeownership — often enabled by family support.
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