Germans Europe's most reluctant homeowners as savings priorities shift

Germany's longstanding status as a nation of tenants shows no sign of changing — and new survey data suggests the gap between Germany and the rest of Europe is widening rather than closing.

According to the European Residential Property Trend Report published by estate agency network REMAX, which surveyed more than 21,000 people across 23 European countries, 31% of Germans have no interest whatsoever in owning their own home. That figure is more than double the European average of 15% and places Germany firmly at the bottom of the European table. At 63%, Germany's tenant rate is the highest on the continent, well ahead of Switzerland at 62% and Austria and Finland, which share third place at 48%. The European average proportion of tenants stands at just 29%.