Young Europeans leave home at 26. Italy lags behind, independent at 30

Brussels – A quarter of a century at home with parents, then goodbye, towards an independent life. According to Eurostat data, young Europeans leave the parental nest only after turning 26 years old. In the Union, however, it is not the same for everyone. In the south of the continent, people typically say goodbye to their parents later, around 30 years of age, while in Scandinavia, one is considered “old” to be with them by 22. And economic reasons weigh heavily.

In the two largest countries of the Union, Germany and France, young people leave home at the age of 23. Quite different figures for the third most populous country, Italy, which ranks almost last in this category. Italians leave the family home at 30.1 years. Similar fate for Portugal (28.9), Spain (30), Greece (30.7) and Slovakia (30.9). However, Croatians are the most mama’s boys, with an average age of 31.3 years. 

The choice is certainly not only up to the will of young people: there are economic and social factors that slow down the path to independence.

Running away from their families as soon as possible is ranked first by Finnish youngsters, at 21.4 years, followed by similar averages in all Scandinavian countries, including Denmark. There are many reasons for this, one of the main ones being to attend university. The high wealth of the inhabitants (the highest GDP per capita in the EU) and the free universities make a dormitory or rented house affordable for almost all families.

Cost of public college tuition:
Sweden: $0
Norway: $0
Finland: $0
Denmark: $0
United States: $9,596

When Republicans say it’s OK to give billions in tax breaks to the top 1%, don’t tell me we can’t afford to make public college available for free. pic.twitter.com/7wEh2MPSG6

– Sen. Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) 
August 21, 2025

Italians and Spaniards would probably like to do the same, but conditions are different for them. Italy has a youth unemployment rate of around 19 per cent, while Spain fares even worse at 23.5 per cent. Both are higher than the Union average at 14.4 per cent. 

In a situation of job uncertainty, it remains challenging to afford housing away from one’s loved ones, especially when considering the cost of university or the case of temporary contracts. In Italy, about 30 per cent of employees in the 15-34 bracket have a temporary contract. A figure that pins that segment of the population at home, unable to obtain a mortgage.

The last problem is the cost of rent. This cost item has a significant impact on young people’s wallets. According to data from Idealista, the cost of rent in Italy has risen by 10.6 per cent over the previous year, compared with an increase in nominal wages of only 3.5 per cent.