The increase in salaries and the reduction in costs associated with purchasing a home are the following measures, according to a survey conducted by UCI. House prices are the main obstacle.
Access to housing is one of the major problems facing society today. Limited supply and high demand for housing, administrative obstacles to obtaining building permits, inflation, low salaries and rising house prices are some of the factors that have made housing one of the main concerns for Spaniards, according to the CIS.
Recommendations to facilitate access to housing
Against this backdrop, Unión de Créditos Inmobiliarios (UCI), an institution specialising in sustainable financing, conducted a survey to identify the measures citizens consider necessary to address the problem of access to housing. The priority measure highlighted by Spaniards, at 57.4%, is a reduction in interest rates.
Although the European Central Bank (ECB) announced at the beginning of June the first cut in the cost of borrowing in eight years, bringing it down to 4.25%, more than half of those surveyed believe that this move is not sufficient to facilitate access to housing. Nevertheless, the monetary authority has cooled expectations of further rate cuts at its July meeting, while the market expects between one and two more cuts over the remainder of the year.
This measure is followed by an increase in salaries (55%) and a reduction in the costs associated with purchasing a home (52.3%). Below these options are the possibility of obtaining financing for 90% or 100% of the property’s value (43%), compared with the 80% granted by banks on average, and restoring tax incentives for the purchase of a primary residence (40%). By contrast, the least valued measures are rent-to-buy schemes (30.19%) and increasing the supply of subsidised housing (25.30%).
Measures needed to improve access to housing
| Initiative | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Lower interest rates | 57.4% |
| Increase salaries | 55.0% |
| Reduce costs associated with purchasing a home | 52.3% |
| Mortgages with 90% or 100% financing | 43.0% |
| Restore tax incentives for the purchase of a primary residence | 40.0% |
| Rent-to-buy schemes | 30.2% |
| Increase the supply of subsidised housing | 25.3% |
Source: II UCI Observatory
Concerns when buying a home
The same study also highlights the main concerns Spanish buyers have when purchasing a home. For almost 70% of those surveyed, price is the main obstacle when deciding to purchase a property, followed by location (51.7%) and being able to afford the property on their salary (46.5%).
Other concerns mentioned include the possibility of securing financing for the property (34.5%) and having employment stability (33.3%). Other factors carry less weight, such as inflation (29.8%) and climate change (9.2%).
Concerns among Spaniards when buying a home
| Concern | Percentage |
|---|---|
| House prices | 69.6% |
| Location suitable for my needs | 51.7% |
| Being able to afford the property on my salary | 46.5% |
| Interest rates | 41.2% |
| Finding financing for the property | 34.5% |
| Job stability | 33.3% |
| Inflation | 29.8% |
| Climate change | 9.2% |
Source: II UCI Observatory
Lorena A. Zenklussen, Commercial Director of Mortgage Financing at UCI, states that “the shortage of housing stock, both new-build and second-hand, together with the lack of land for construction, combined with the recovery in demand during the first half of the year, is driving prices upwards, making it difficult for many families to find a home, particularly in high-demand areas such as major cities.” She further stresses that “effective public policies are needed to address housing challenges and ensure that all Spaniards can access homeownership.”
This is the average salary needed to buy a home in Spain
High demand and a shortage of supply are causing house prices to continue rising, meaning that the average salary of a prospective homeowner needs to be very high. The housing market is undergoing significant changes in terms of home purchases. Major cities continue to be the most affected, with prices exceeding the expectations of many potential buyers. Purchasing a home is an investment that depends on many factors, including the city and area, whether it is a new-build property, interest rates and mortgage conditions, among others.
As reported by iAhorro, the mortgage comparison platform, very high average house prices and limited housing supply relative to demand are the two most important factors that cause a city to be considered a high-pressure housing market. The market is caught in a constant dilemma, with property prices rising, demand continuing to grow and supply failing to match the level of demand, particularly in major cities.
Salaries are an obstacle
In addition to all the factors mentioned above, salaries also prevent citizens from accessing homeownership, particularly in major cities. Simone Colombelli, spokesperson for iAhorro, states that although average salaries in Spain have increased, they are still insufficient to cope with high property prices and rising interest rates.
The latest data published by the National Statistics Institute (INE), corresponding to 2022, shows that the average gross monthly salary earned by a full-time worker in Spain stands at €2,341.35. After deducting personal income tax (IRPF) and Social Security contributions, this salary would amount to approximately €1,830 net per month.
This varies by region, with the Basque Country recording the highest salary, at €3,837.42 gross per month and €2,200 net. It is followed by the Community of Madrid, with €2,050 net, and Catalonia, with a salary of around €1,930 net per month. However, these amounts are not sufficient for a person to afford a home. In order to cover this expense, a buyer would need a salary of €5,909 because the Bank of Spain does not allow more than 35% of monthly net income to be allocated to mortgage payments.
Most high-pressure housing markets
According to a study conducted by iAhorro in the first half of 2024, San Sebastián is the city and provincial capital with the highest housing pressure in Spain, where the average price of a 100 m² home is €551,200. It is followed by Madrid, where the price is €438,500, the bank offers an interest rate of 2.9%, and the monthly mortgage payment would be €1,645, meaning that the homeowner would need a net monthly salary of €4,701. Barcelona ranks third, where a home costs around €349,520, resulting in a monthly mortgage payment of €1,639 and required net income of €4,684.
Young people plan to buy a home within the next five years
20% of Spaniards plan to buy a home within the next five years. However, the difficulty of saving the amount required for the down payment and the costs associated with the purchase remains a major obstacle, particularly for young people.
The cities where buying a home is more affordable and where the average salary would be sufficient include Zamora, where the average price of a 100 m² home is €115,200, meaning that a salary of €1,235 would be enough to cover the monthly mortgage payment of €432. In Cartagena, a salary of €1,249 would be sufficient for a home costing €116,500; while in Jaén, the mortgage payment would be €441 for a home costing €117,800, requiring a salary of €1,260.
Sitges: The most expensive municipality in the province of Barcelona
Barcelona is one of the Spanish cities with the highest rental and purchase prices. However, the province encompasses more than a dozen counties, each with its own property prices. Some are well above the average and rank among the most expensive municipalities in which to live.
One notable example is Sitges, a coastal municipality in the Garraf county, known for being a major tourist destination and one of the best places in Catalonia to retire. Purchasing a property in this town entails an average outlay of €705,081. According to Idealista, in June 2024, the price per square metre in Sitges was €4,552. Therefore, purchasing a 90-square-metre apartment costs more than €400,000.
Sitges has become a sought-after yet inaccessible option for many, standing out as a symbol of the challenge of accessing housing in certain high-demand areas of Spain.
At Living Sitges Inmobiliaria, we understand the importance of finding sustainable and effective solutions for our clients, facilitating access to luxury homes in prime locations such as Sitges. We will continue to monitor market trends and policies that may influence access to housing, always providing our clients with the best service and advice.
Article by Living Sitges Inmobiliaria
