Latest news with #SouthernEurope
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
How much is rent in Europe's city centres, and how has it changed since 2020?
As rent prices across the bloc keep climbing, the biggest jump in costs over the past five years was detected in Southern and Eastern Europe. This is according to a recent Deutsche Bank report, which scrutinised 67 cities worldwide and 28 in Europe. According to Eurostat, house prices increased by 27.3% between the first quarters of 2020 and 2025, while rents rose by 12.5% from June 2020 to June 2025. But this report indicates that rent increases in city centres were significantly greater than this average. So, as of 2025, which European cities have the most expensive rents? Where are rents the most affordable? And which cities have seen the largest increases since 2020? Athens is the cheapest, London the most expensive In 2025, the monthly rent for a three-bedroom flat in the centre of 28 cities in Europe ranges from €1,080 in Athens to €5,088 (or £4,278) in London. European cities can be grouped into three categories based on rent levels: Rents above €3,000 After London, the most expensive places to rent in Europe are Zurich, Geneva, and Amsterdam, all above €3,800. Swiss cities are the priciest, with rents over €4,250. Dublin, Luxembourg, Paris, Copenhagen, and Munich also have high rents, all above €3,000. These cities are major financial, political, or international centres, driving strong demand for housing. Rents between €2,000 and €3,000 Several well-developed cities have mid-range rents between €2,000 and €3,000. Milan, Edinburgh, and Lisbon are on the higher end of this range. Madrid, Stockholm, Berlin, Frankfurt, and Barcelona are a bit more affordable, with average rents around €2,500. Birmingham, Brussels, Vienna, and Prague are closer to €2,100. These cities offer relatively lower living costs compared to the top tier. Rents below €2,000 Only five European cities have average rents below €2,000. In addition to the lowest, Athens, they include Budapest (€1,225), Istanbul (€1,614), Warsaw (€1,881), and Helsinki (€1,928). These figures show that Western and Northern Europe have the highest rents. Strong economies, high living standards, and housing shortages are key factors in these cities. Southern and Central Europe have more mixed rent levels, while Eastern and Southeastern Europe remain the most affordable. When non-European countries are included in the report, New York stands out as an outlier with average rents of €7,676 ($8,388), while Cairo is the cheapest at just €377. Average salaries in the city centres of Dubai and Sydney exceed €4,000. This makes them more expensive than most European cities. Rents in Toronto, Seoul, Tokyo, Moscow, and Shanghai fall into the mid-range at around €2,500. Related Energy, water, and waste: How much do Europeans pay for household bills? Can you afford to live here? Europe's cities ranked by rent-to-salary ratio Rents for a one-bedroom apartment in the centre Rent for a one-bedroom dwelling mostly follows the same pattern as three-bedroom. However, some cities change places in the ranking. The price ratios are also different. Still, London (€2,732 or £2,297) remains the most expensive in Europe, while Athens (€595) is the cheapest. In general, one-bedroom apartments cost about half as much as three-bedroom ones. This share rises to 64% in Oslo and 62% in San Francisco, but drops to 37% in Seoul. That's why San Francisco surpasses London in one-bedroom rent prices globally. Where rents increased the most The report shows figures in US dollars, but we converted them to euros for a fairer comparison. Changes may differ when viewed in local currencies. Between 2020 and 2025, monthly rent for a three-bedroom apartment in city centres across Europe increased by between 3% in Helsinki and 206% in Istanbul. In general, Southern and Eastern Europe experienced the strongest rent increases. Lisbon (81%), Prague (73%), and Edinburgh (71%) followed Istanbul, each with rises of over 70%. Rents also rose significantly in Spain—by 65% in Barcelona and 59% in Madrid. Athens and Warsaw were the other two European cities that saw just over 50% increases. Related Bean vs. cup: Where is the most expensive takeaway coffee in Europe? The UK's weak economic growth and Brexit: Is the worst over? Rent changes vary by apartment size For a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre, the highest and lowest rent increases across Europe between 2020 and 2025 were still seen in Istanbul (191%) and Helsinki (18%). The increase in Helsinki was higher compared to that for a three-bedroom flat (3%). In some cities, the rent increase was higher for three-bedroom apartments—such as Istanbul (15 percentage points more), Prague (23 pp), and Amsterdam (10 pp). Other cities saw greater increases for one-bedroom flats, including Milan (20 pp) and Warsaw (10 pp). 'Big cities, bigger housing costs' shows how housing prices can vary significantly within a country. For example, housing in London is 50% more expensive than the UK average. Income levels matter when discussing rent affordability. 'Europe's cities ranked by rent-to-salary ratio' article compares average incomes with rental costs. Solve the daily Crossword
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Southern Europe burns as 'apocalyptic' wildfires rage in holiday hotspots after Turkey and Greece surge above 44C
'Apocalyptic' wildfires have engulfed Southern Europe with several holiday hotspots threatened by the blazes and residents forced to flee their homes. Wild infernos have struck Montenegro and Albania while also causing devastation in Turkey and Greece where temperatures have soared above 44C. Smoke rose from charred tree branches near Montenegro's capital Podgorica today while huge flames could be seen dangerously close to city tower blocks. Meanwhile, fire tore through landscapes near Bulqiza, Albania, this weekend as emergency services desperately tried to tame the blaze. The fires are being ignited by unseasonably high temperatures, as well as dry conditions and strong winds. Overnight, flames obliterated the forested mountains surrounding Bursa city in northwest Turkey, shining a threatening red glow on the sky. It marked the latest city to be hit by deadly blazes this summer - as Cyprus also fell victim to aggressive wildfires amid unusually hot weather. The governor's office in Bursa said more than 1,760 people had been safely evacuated from villages to the northeast as more than 1,100 firefighters battled the flames. The highway linking Bursa to the capital, Ankara, was closed off as surrounding forests burned. Orhan Saribal, an opposition parliamentarian for the province, likened the scene to 'an apocalypse'. Turkey has been hit by dozens of wildfires every day since late June - with Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yamukli revealing fire crews across the country approached 76 separate blazes yesterday alone. The General Directorate of Meteorology said Turkey recorded its highest ever temperature - 50.5C (122.9F) - within the southeastern Sirnak province on Friday. The same day, homes and holiday properties burnt down in popular holiday hotspot Cyprus. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) updated its travel advice in response to the devastation on the island. Warning of 'active wildfires', the government highlighted the Paphos and Limassol districts as some of the affected areas, located in the south of Cyprus. It added: 'Transport and infrastructure (electricity, water) links in locations close to the fires may be affected whilst the authorities respond to the situation.' Though the FCDO noted the airports in Paphos and Larnaca are 'operating as normal'. 'If you are due to travel to an area that might be affected by wildfires, contact your travel operator or accommodation provider before you travel to check that it is not currently impacted. Make sure you have appropriate insurance,' the advice read. The Foreign Office also included recommendations for those in the area or affected by the wildfires. 'Be cautious if you are in or near an area affected by wildfires. You should follow the guidance of the emergency services,' it stated. 'Call the Cypriot Emergency services on 112 if you are in immediate danger. 'Contact your airline or travel operator, who can assist you with information relating travel back to the UK.' And yesterday, British tourists were put on alert as Greece wildfires spread amid a 44C heatwave - as a blaze tore through the capital of Athens. The southern European country was first hit with the scorching temperatures on Monday and they have not relented throughout the week. After the mercury hit a blistering 44C high in Athens on Tuesday, a wildfire burned through a northern suburb of the capital on Friday. Shocking pictures showed homes ablaze while residents of the town of Kryoneri, 12.5miles northeast of Athens, received three SMS warnings to evacuate.
The Independent
6 days ago
- Climate
- The Independent
Heatwave death sparks protests among European workers
Southern Europe is grappling with a brutal heatwave, creating perilous conditions for outdoor workers. The death of a street sweeper in Barcelona due to extreme heat has sparked protests and calls for tougher regulations from European labour unions. More than 1,000 excess deaths have been recorded in Spain during June and July, attributed to the severe heat. Despite new rules issued by Barcelona City Hall, workers claim these measures are not being implemented and they face sanctions for taking breaks. European labour organisations and the UN's International Labour Organization are advocating for a coordinated international approach to protect workers from heat stress, which they term an 'invisible killer'.
The Independent
6 days ago
- Climate
- The Independent
Europe's hottest workers demand protection as heatwave bakes region
Southern Europe is grappling with a brutal heatwave this summer, creating a stark divide between air-conditioned comfort and the perilous reality for outdoor workers. Such labour can be gruelling, even deadly. Last month, a street sweeper in Barcelona died during the extreme heat, and a labour union reports 12 other city cleaners have since suffered heatstroke. In response, powerful European unions are pushing for tougher regulations to protect the aging workforce from climate change, on what is already the world's fastest-warming continent. Deadly heat in Barcelona Hundreds of street cleaners and concerned citizens marched through downtown Barcelona last week to protest the death of Montse Aguilar, a 51-year-old street cleaner who worked even as the city's temperatures hit a June record. Fellow street sweeper Antonia Rodríguez said at the protest that blistering summers have made her work 'unbearable.' 'I have been doing this job for 23 years and each year the heat is worse,' said Rodríguez, 56. 'Something has to be done.' Extreme heat has fueled more than 1,000 excess deaths in Spain so far in June and July, according to the Carlos III Health Institute. 'Climate change is, above all, playing a role in extreme weather events like the heat waves we are experiencing, and is having a big impact in our country,' said Diana Gómez, who heads the institute's daily mortality observatory. Even before the march, Barcelona's City Hall issued new rules requiring the four companies contracted to clean its streets to give workers uniforms made of breathable material, a hat and sun cream. When temperatures reach 34 C (93 F), street cleaners now must have hourly water breaks and routes that allow time in the shade. Cleaning work will be suspended when temperatures hit 40 C (104 F). Protesters said none of the clothing changes have been put into effect and workers are punished for allegedly slacking in the heat. They said supervisors would sanction workers when they took breaks or slowed down. Workers marched behind a banner reading 'Extreme Heat Is Also Workplace Violence!" and demanded better summer clothing and more breaks during the sweltering summers. They complained that they have to buy their own water. FCC Medio Ambiente, the company that employed the deceased worker, declined to comment on the protesters' complaints. In a previous statement, it offered its condolences to Aguilar's family and said that it trains its staff to work in hot weather. Emergency measures and a Greek cook In Greece, regulations for outdoor labor such as construction work and food delivery includes mandatory breaks. Employers are also advised — but not mandated — to adjust shifts to keep workers out of the midday sun. Greece requires heat-safety inspections during hotter months but the country's largest labor union, the GSEE, is calling for year-round monitoring. European labor unions and the United Nations' International Labor Organization are also pushing for a more coordinated international approach to handling the impact of rising temperatures on workers. "Heat stress is an invisible killer,' the ILO said in a report last year on how heat hurts workers. It called for countries to increase worker heat protections, saying Europe and Central Asia have experienced the largest spike in excessive worker heat exposure this century. In Athens, grill cook Thomas Siamandas shaves meat from a spit in the threshold of the famed Bairaktaris Restaurant. He is out of the sun, but the 38 C (100.4 F) temperature recorded on July 16 was even tougher to endure while standing in front of souvlaki burners. Grill cooks step into air-conditioned rooms when possible and always keep water within reach. Working with a fan pointed at his feet, the 32-year-old said staying cool means knowing when to take a break, before the heat overwhelms you. 'It's tough, but we take precautions: We sit down when we can, take frequent breaks and stay hydrated. We drink plenty of water — really a lot,' said Siamandas, who has worked at the restaurant for eight years. 'You have to find a way to adjust to the conditions.' The blazing sun in Rome Massimo De Filippis spends hours in the blazing sun each day sharing the history of vestal virgins, dueling gladiators and powerful emperors as tourists shuffle through Rome's Colosseum and Forum. 'Honestly, it is tough. I am not going to lie,' the 45-year-old De Filippis said as he wiped sweat from his face. 'Many times it is actually dangerous to go into the Roman Forum between noon and 3:30 p.m.' At midday on July 22, he led his group down the Forum's Via Sacra, the central road in ancient Rome. They paused at a fountain to rinse their faces and fill their bottles. Dehydrated tourists often pass out here in the summer heat, said Francesca Duimich, who represents 300 Roman tour guides in Italy 's national federation, Federagit. 'The Forum is a pit; There is no shade, there is no wind,' Duimich said. 'Being there at 1 p.m. or 2 p.m. in the summer heat means you will feel unwell.' This year, guides have bombarded her with complaints about the heat. In recent weeks, Federagit requested that the state's Colosseum Archaeological Park, which oversees the Forum, open an hour earlier so tours can get a jump-start before the heat becomes punishing. The request has been to no avail, so far. The park's press office said that administrators are working to move the opening up by 30 minutes and will soon schedule visits after sunset.
The National
6 days ago
- Climate
- The National
The region's searing summer heat reminds us of changing climate realities
July temperatures in most of the Middle East are challenging every year, especially for people whose jobs require them to spend long periods outdoors during the day. But however used to the trials of summer the region's inhabitants may be, extreme weather is becoming more common. This is a new climate reality that countries and governments can no longer ignore. Other regions, like Southern Europe, are even less equipped to deal with record high summers, with temperatures in some Spanish and Portuguese cities exceeding 46 degrees Celsius this month. As UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has pointed out last year, when he called for an urgent international effort to address extreme heat, around 2.4 billion people around the world are at high risk from this issue. Governments need to continuously adjust to these realities. UAE authorities have had protocols in place for more than 20 years that mandate rest for workers – especially construction workers, delivery drivers, outdoor security personnel, among others – during the hottest parts of the day in the warmest months. This is intended to reduce their exposure to heat and any associated risk of fatigue and heat-related health issues. Other measures are in place across the country, such as Dubai and Ajman restricting working hours for government employees through the summer. Sensible and humane policies rightfully inform the labour laws of the country and also the standards companies set for themselves. The issue of responding to heat stress and climate-related challenges, though, is much larger than what can be tackled in labour law and HR offices. The challenges of tackling climate change vary from country to country, even as the overarching issue of addressing rising temperatures is common across the planet. Around 2.4 billion people around the world are at high risk from this issue Wildfires in coastal Syria this month raged on for more than a week. In Iraq, 46 million people are facing water crises after inadequate rains disrupted agricultural planning in the country that the UN has said is one of the five most vulnerable to certain effects of climate change. In Iran, a public holiday was announced as temperatures touched 50°C and residents were asked to limit their water usage. Rainfall in the Middle East and North Africa has been the lowest in five years. All of this points to a worrying future if strong measures are not taken urgently, and the Middle East is particularly vulnerable. A situation that is, however, increasingly precarious for much of the world requires foresight, planning, innovation and a sharing of expertise so that countries can work together to adapt to the challenges posed by a warming planet. In addition to federal plans already in place to tackle climate change and in recognition of the necessity of bracing for this uncertain climate future, Abu Dhabi launched a climate action plan yesterday for the next 25 years to bolster vulnerable environmental systems of groundwater, soil and biodiversity. Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, secretary general of the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi called it "a science-backed, action-oriented road map'.
