Mortgage interest rates in Europe soared in 2022 and remained elevated in the following two years. In many countries, this resulted in interest rates more than doubling. In the UK, the average mortgage interest rate rose from **** percent in 2020 to **** percent in 2023, before falling to **** in 2024. Why did mortgage interest rates increase? Mortgage rates have risen as a result of the European Central Bank (ECB) interest rate increase. The ECB increased its interest rates to tackle inflation. As inflation calms, the ECB is expected to cut rates, which allows mortgage lenders to reduce mortgage interest rates. What is the impact of interest rates on home buying? Lower interest rates make taking out a housing loan more affordable, and thus, encourage homebuying. That can be seen in many countries across Europe: In France, the number of residential properties sold rose in the years leading up to 2021, and fell as interest rates increased. The number of houses sold in the UK followed a similar trend.

The average mortgage interest rate decreased in nearly every country in Europe between 2012 and 2021, followed by an increase in response to inflation. In the fourth quarter of 2024, Poland, Hungary, and Romania topped the ranking as the countries with the highest mortgage interest rates in Europe. Conversely, Belgium, Spain, and Italy displayed the lowest interest rates. The UK, which is the country with the largest value of mortgages outstanding, had an interest rate of **** percent.

This dataset provides values for INTEREST RATE reported in several countries. The data includes current values, previous releases, historical highs and record lows, release frequency, reported unit and currency.

In 2023, the average mortgage rates in European countries varied from 2.6 percent in Bulgaria to over eight percent in Hungary. The mortgage rate for a home purchase is decided depending on the individual situation of the homebuyer, their credit history, and income, but they also follow macro determinants including the base lending rate, inflation, economic growth, and the health of the housing market. Starts, completions and prices The supply of new housing varies in different countries in Europe. In 2023, the number of new housing units completed per 1,000 citizens was between 0.8 and seven, with this number varying greatly in different countries. Ireland and Poland were among the countries with most completed housing units. When it comes to housing starts, Ireland tops the ranking. The average transaction price of a new dwelling in 2023 ranged anywhere from roughly 1,300 euros per square meter to under 5,000 euros per square meter. Housing stock As the most populous country in Europe, Germany has the largest housing stock. Comparing the number of housing units per 1,000 citizens is an easy way to identify housing shortages. In Greece and the UK, for example, the number of dwellings per 1,000 citizens measured less than 400, compared to Bulgaria and Spain, where it was around 600.

This dataset provides values for 30 YEAR MORTGAGE RATE reported in several countries. The data includes current values, previous releases, historical highs and record lows, release frequency, reported unit and currency.

The mortgage credit interest rate is the average interest rate on mortgage loan products offered to individuals and households by the commercial banks in the country. The mortgage credit is a loan used to finance the purchase of real estate. The table shows the latest available data from the national authorities as well as the values from three months ago and one year ago. The data are updated continuously.

This dataset provides values for MORTGAGE RATE reported in several countries. The data includes current values, previous releases, historical highs and record lows, release frequency, reported unit and currency.

As of January 2025, Latvia was the euro area country with the highest interest rate for loans. The long-term maturities in that Baltic country were on average over 8.19 percent. Meanwhile, the composite cost for short-term loans in Malta amounted to 3.65 percent, which was the lowest rate in the Eurozone.

European Union central banks navigated a complex economic landscape between 2022 and 2025, with interest rates initially rising across member states. However, a pivotal shift occurred in late 2023 as most countries began lowering their rates, reflecting the delicate balance between controlling inflation and supporting economic growth. In the Euro area, the European Central Bank (ECB) led this trend by cutting interest rates from 4.5 percent to 3.15 percent in 2024, implementing four strategic rate reductions throughout the year. This approach was nearly universally adopted, with Poland being the sole EU country not reducing its rates during this period. Global context and policy shifts The interest rate changes in the EU mirror similar movements in other major economies. The United States, United Kingdom, and European Union central banks followed remarkably similar patterns from 2003 to 2024, responding to shared global economic conditions. After maintaining near-zero rates following the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, these institutions sharply raised rates in 2022 to combat surging inflation. By mid-2024, the European Central Bank and Bank of England initiated rate cuts, with the Federal Reserve following suit. Varied approaches within the EU Despite the overall trend, individual EU countries have adopted diverse strategies. Hungary, for instance, set the highest rate in the EU at 13 percent in September 2023, gradually reducing it to 6.5 percent by September 2024. In contrast, Sweden implemented the most aggressive cuts, lowering its rate to 2.25 percent by February 2025, the lowest among EU members. These divergent approaches highlight the unique economic challenges faced by each country and the flexibility required in monetary policy to address specific national circumstances.

Statistics on real estate mortgages, by province. The data are monthly and include: A. Number of mortgages b. total amount of mortgages

The European home mortgage finance market, currently exhibiting a robust Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) exceeding 6%, presents a significant investment opportunity. Driven by factors such as increasing homeownership aspirations, particularly among millennials, favorable government policies aimed at stimulating the housing market in several key European nations (like the UK's Help to Buy scheme, though with adjustments), and low-interest rate environments (though this is subject to change based on global economic conditions), the market is poised for considerable expansion throughout the forecast period (2025-2033). The market is segmented by application (home purchase, refinance, home improvement, other), provider (banks, housing finance companies, real estate agents), and interest rate type (fixed and adjustable). While the market size for 2025 is not explicitly stated, estimations based on the provided CAGR and considering historical market data from reputable sources suggest a substantial value in the billions, with annual growth consistently adding hundreds of millions each year. Key players such as Rocket Mortgage, United Shore Financial, and major European banks (Aareal Bank, Bank of America, Barclays, etc.) are vying for market share, utilizing diverse strategies to attract borrowers and maintain profitability. However, several restraints could influence the market's trajectory. These include fluctuating interest rates, which directly impact borrowing costs and affordability, potential economic downturns that affect consumer confidence and purchasing power, and increasingly stringent regulatory requirements aimed at safeguarding borrowers and promoting financial stability. Furthermore, competition among lenders is fierce, with banks facing challenges from rapidly growing fintech companies offering innovative mortgage products and services. Despite these challenges, the long-term outlook for the European home mortgage finance market remains positive, particularly in countries experiencing strong population growth and economic stability. Regional variations exist within the European market; the UK, Germany, France, and other large economies are expected to drive significant market value, while smaller nations will contribute proportionally less. The projected market size for 2033 is likely to demonstrate considerable growth from the 2025 base. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for stakeholders to navigate the market effectively. This comprehensive report provides an in-depth analysis of the European home mortgage finance market, covering the period from 2019 to 2033. With a base year of 2025 and an estimated market value in the billions (specific figures will be included in the full report), this study offers valuable insights for investors, lenders, and industry professionals seeking to navigate this dynamic sector. Keywords: Europe mortgage market, home loans Europe, mortgage finance Europe, European housing market, refinancing Europe, home purchase finance Europe, mortgage lenders Europe. Recent developments include: November 2022: Rocket Mortgage, the nation's largest mortgage lender and a part of Rocket Companies, today introduced a conventional loan option for Americans interested in purchasing or refinancing a manufactured home., November 2022: The Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) approved four new loans worth EUR 232.5 million to boost affordable housing and other social sector development. Under this, it offered EUR 25 million in loans to Kosovo to finance the 'Adequate Social Housing Programme' to establish a sustainable social and affordable housing system in the country.. Notable trends are: Increased Number of Salaried Individuals is Driving the Market Growth.

Graph and download economic data for ECB Marginal Lending Facility Rate for Euro Area (ECBMLFR) from 1999-01-01 to 2025-07-01 about margin, overnight, Euro Area, Europe, loans, and rate.

The average for 2023 based on 17 countries was 8.37 percent. The highest value was in Ukraine: 22.11 percent and the lowest value was in Switzerland: 2.86 percent. The indicator is available from 1960 to 2023. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

Bank Lending Rate In the Euro Area decreased to 3.92 percent in April from 4.09 percent in March of 2025. This dataset provides - Euro Area Bank Lending Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The benchmark interest rate In the Euro Area was last recorded at 2.15 percent. This dataset provides - Euro Area Interest Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

European Union Key Interest Rate: Month End: Marginal Lending Facility data was reported at 2.650 % pa in Apr 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 2.900 % pa for Mar 2025. European Union Key Interest Rate: Month End: Marginal Lending Facility data is updated monthly, averaging 2.125 % pa from Jan 1999 (Median) to Apr 2025, with 316 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5.750 % pa in Apr 2001 and a record low of 0.250 % pa in Jun 2022. European Union Key Interest Rate: Month End: Marginal Lending Facility data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by European Central Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s France – Table FR.M001: Key Interest Rates: European Central Bank.

Spain ECB Interest Rate: Marginal Lending Facility data was reported at 2.650 % pa in Apr 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 2.900 % pa for Mar 2025. Spain ECB Interest Rate: Marginal Lending Facility data is updated monthly, averaging 2.125 % pa from Jan 1999 (Median) to Apr 2025, with 316 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5.750 % pa in Apr 2001 and a record low of 0.250 % pa in Jun 2022. Spain ECB Interest Rate: Marginal Lending Facility data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by European Central Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Spain – Table ES.M001: Key Interest Rates: European Central Bank.

In 2022, Portugal overturned the sinking mortgage interest rate it had gone through during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The country did not escape from the overall trend of falling mortgage interest rates observed in Europe during the COVID-19 crisis, which positioned national mortgage interest rates at **** percent in the fourth quarter of 2021. Interest rates as a weapon against inflation Even though interest rates are affected by economic growth, monetary policies, the bond market, the stability of lenders, and the overall conditions of the housing market, inflation currently leads the European Central Bank (ECB)’s decisions regarding them. As inflation had been low in Europe since the 2008 financial crisis, the ECB lowered interest rates in an attempt to promote economic growth. However, the economic difficulties brought up by the coronavirus pandemic and the Russian-Ukrainian war have fueled inflation. To counteract this rise, the ECB increased interest rates. Portugal’s abrupt rise in interest rates on new residential loans from **** percent in 2021 to **** percent in 2023 demonstrates the balanced and calculated act between the two financial indices. High interest rates and low mortgage lending Compared to other European nations, Portugal has a low gross residential mortgage lending. In the third and fourth quarters of 2022, mortgage lending decreased in the country due to rising interest rates and worsening economic conditions, but have increased dramatically until 2024. Despite being in a rising trajectory in terms of outstanding residential mortgage lending since the second quarter of 2021, 2023 registered decreasing figures caused by the same economic contingencies. 2024 shows a different trend, however.

Mortgage interest rates worldwide varied greatly in 2024, from less than four percent in many European countries, to as high as 44 percent in Turkey. The average mortgage rate in a country depends on the central bank's base lending rate and macroeconomic indicators such as inflation and forecast economic growth. Since 2022, inflationary pressures have led to rapid increase in mortgage interest rates. Which are the leading mortgage markets? An easy way to estimate the importance of the mortgage sector in each country is by comparing household debt depth, or the ratio of the debt held by households compared to the county's GDP. In 2023, Switzerland, Australia, and Canada had some of the highest household debt to GDP ratios worldwide. While this indicator shows the size of the sector relative to the country’s economy, the value of mortgages outstanding allows to compare the market size in different countries. In Europe, for instance, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France were the largest mortgage markets by outstanding mortgage lending. Mortgage lending trends in the U.S. In the United States, new mortgage lending soared in 2021. This was largely due to the growth of new refinance loans that allow homeowners to renegotiate their mortgage terms and replace their existing loan with a more favorable one. Following the rise in interest rates, the mortgage market cooled, and refinance loans declined.

The United Kingdom, Germany, and France were the countries with the largest mortgage markets in Europe in 2024, when considering the value of loans outstanding. In the second quarter of the year, the UK had more than 1.9 billion euros worth of mortgages outstanding. Other countries with large mortgage markets included the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and Italy - all exceeding 400 billion euros. One of the main drivers of mortgage activity is the cost of borrowing. In 2022, interest rates increased dramatically across Europe. Ireland, and Germany remained among the few countries with an average interest rate under four percent.