The empty house: a window into Europe’s vacant property problem

Overview of the Report

Investigate Europe, a pan‑European investigative journalism network, published this in‑depth analysis of vacant housing across the continent. Authors Pascal Hansens and Wojciech Cieśla, both investigative reporters for the outlet, explore how tax incentives and market dynamics have created a surplus of empty dwellings, threatening sustainable housing goals.

Scale of the Vacancy Problem

Data from the European Federation of National Organisations working with the Homeless (Feantsa) in 2016 estimate that one in six European properties—about 38 million homes—are vacant. In Greece, Portugal and Bulgaria the vacancy rate rises to one in four. OECD figures for 2021 confirm that Hungary (12.3 %), Cyprus, Finland and Ireland have the highest proportions of empty dwellings among selected countries. 🇭🇺 Hungary’s Empty Homes Hungary’s 4.5 million homes include roughly 550 000 unoccupied units, equating to a 12.3 % vacancy rate. Most owners lack funds for renovation rather than engaging in speculative holding. Budapest alone may contain 50 000–70 000 empty flats, reflecting rural‑to‑urban migration and an aging population. 🇵🇱 Poland’s Vacancy Profile Polish statistics suggest about 11 % of flats are vacant, identified through low electricity consumption. Unlike Hungary, the absence of systematic data collection makes the exact causes unclear, though local authorities often cannot finance communal repairs. 🇫🇷 France and the Vichy Example France records an 8 % vacancy rate nationwide. The city of Vichy stands out with 22 % of its 4 700 houses empty, despite France being a leading new‑home builder. Legal requirements for 20 % social housing contrast with Vichy’s 15 % provision, highlighting policy‑implementation gaps.

Tax Measures as a Response

Several jurisdictions have introduced vacancy taxes to deter long‑term emptiness. Austrian states Salzburg and Styria levy taxes on unused flats, with similar legislation pending in Tyrol and Salzburg. Ireland’s 2022 Vacancy Tax (VHT) targets properties occupied less than 30 days in a year, aiming to increase rental and purchase supply.

Civil Society Initiatives

The UK charity Action on Empty Homes reports 257 331 long‑term empty homes in England, adding pressure on public finances (£1.5 billion annually). Their research also shows one in three homes in London’s financial district remain vacant, underscoring speculative holding in high‑value markets.

Citizen‑Led Projects in Brussels

In 2019, Brussels activists created the fictional “Saint‑Vide‑Leegbeek” municipality, cataloguing 6.5 million m² of empty residential space. This citizen‑driven data‑collection aims to raise awareness of the housing potential and to stimulate policy action at the regional level.

Key Takeaways for Sustainable Housing

• Vacant properties represent a significant waste of existing housing stock, counteracting sustainability targets.
• Tax incentives for investors have unintentionally encouraged long‑term vacancy.
• Targeted vacancy taxes and stronger enforcement can reclaim empty dwellings for affordable use.
• Accurate, harmonised data collection across Europe is essential for effective policy.
• Community‑driven mapping projects demonstrate grassroots capacity to identify and propose solutions. By presenting these facts, the report equips a pan‑European audience with a factual foundation to understand the scale, causes, and emerging policy responses to the continent’s vacant housing challenge, all of which are crucial for advancing sustainable, inclusive housing strategies.