Nearly 6 in 10 Greeks Live in Flats, Eurostat Data Shows

New Eurostat data reveals that 59.8% of Greeks live in flats, placing the country fourth among EU member states for apartment dwelling and significantly above the bloc’s average of 47.9%. This trend reflects long-standing urban housing patterns shaped by postwar legal reforms and economic pressures.

Greece’s Flat-Dominated Housing Landscape

According to the latest Eurostat figures, flats are the dominant form of housing in Greece, with nearly six in ten residents living in apartments. Only Latvia (65.1%), Spain (64.7%), and Estonia (61.3%) have higher shares of their populations residing in flats. Greece’s rate has increased slightly from 59.4% in both 2023 and 2024 to 59.8% in 2025.

The EU average of 47.9% is based on 2024 data, the most recent full bloc-wide figure available. Greece’s flat-living rate is roughly 12 percentage points above this average, underscoring the country’s distinct housing profile within Europe.

Urban vs. Rural Disparities in Housing Type

The prevalence of flat living varies significantly across settlement types in Greece. In cities, about 84% of residents live in flats—well above the EU urban average of 73%. In towns and suburbs, the share reaches approximately 67%, compared to the EU suburban average of 43%.

Only in rural areas does Greece align more closely with broader European trends: around 14% of rural residents live in flats, just below the EU rural average of 16%. This contrast highlights how urbanization and historical development have concentrated apartment living in Greece’s populated centers.

Historical Roots of the Polykatoikia Model

The dominance of flats in Greece traces back to the postwar period and a specific building model known as the polykatoikia. Research published in the Docomomo Journal in 2023 documents that a 1929 legal arrangement allowed each apartment in a building to be owned by a different individual. This innovation made flat ownership the most practical and affordable path to property ownership for middle-class families.

the polykatoikia—typically a mid-rise, reinforced concrete structure with uniform façades—became the standard urban housing form in Greek cities, particularly during the rapid reconstruction and expansion following World War II.

Implications for Housing Policy and Urban Life

The widespread reliance on flats has implications for housing affordability, urban planning, and social dynamics in Greece. High concentrations of apartment living in cities and suburbs reflect both the legacy of mid-20th-century urbanization and ongoing pressures from rising household costs and limited land availability in urban cores.

Understanding these patterns is essential for policymakers addressing housing supply, energy efficiency in multi-unit buildings, and equitable access to homeownership across different regions of the country.

Key Takeaways

• 59.8% of Greeks live in flats, according to 2025 Eurostat data.
• Greece ranks fourth in the EU for flat dwelling, behind Latvia, Spain, and Estonia.
• The national rate is about 12 percentage points above the EU average of 47.9%.
• In Greek cities, 84% of residents live in flats—far exceeding the EU urban average of 73%.
• Only in rural areas (14%) does Greece’s flat-living rate approach the EU norm (16%).
• The polykatoikia model, enabled by a 1929 legal reform, drove postwar apartment growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage of Greeks live in flats?

As of 2025, 59.8% of the Greek population lives in flats, according to Eurostat.

How does Greece compare to other EU countries in flat dwelling?

Greece has the fourth-highest share of flat residents in the EU, surpassed only by Latvia (65.1%), Spain (64.7%), and Estonia (61.3%).

Why are flats so common in Greece?

The prevalence of flats stems from the postwar adoption of the polykatoikia housing model, made possible by a 1929 legal change allowing individual apartment ownership. This provided an affordable entry into the property market for middle-class families and shaped urban development for decades.

Do rural Greeks live in flats at the same rate as urban residents?

No. Only about 14% of rural Greeks live in flats, compared to 84% in cities and 67% in towns, and suburbs. The EU rural average for flat dwelling is 16%.