Young people in Cyprus move out at the age of 27. In Poland, it's not much earlier.

Young Cypriots leave their family home at an average age of 27 years oldThis is slightly later than the European Union average, but significantly earlier than in Greece, Croatia, Spain, or Italy. The latest Eurostat data also show that the situation in Cyprus and Poland is almost identical.

In Poland, young people move out of their parents' house at the average age of 26.8 years, which is only about two months earlier than in Cyprus. The average for the entire European Union is 26.3 years. The decision to become independent is influenced not only by family traditions, but also by employment, wages, and housing availability.

Moving out of home in Cyprus later than the EU average

According to Eurostat data for 2025, young European Union residents leave their parents' home on average at the age of 26.3. A year earlier, the figure was 26.2.

Cyprus is slightly above the European average, with the average age of moving out being 27. Poland, at 26.8, is very close behind.

The difference between the two countries is only 0.2 years. In practice, this means about two to three months.

In Greece only after thirty

Cyprus is not among the countries where young people stay with their parents the longest. The highest rate was recorded in Croatia, where the average age of moving out was 31.5.

In Greece and Slovakia, young people leave home on average at the age of 30.9. In Spain and Italy, the average age is 30.2.

The results show a clear difference between northern and southern Europe. In southern countries, young people are more likely to stay with their parents until they are around thirty.

This may be due to the labor market situation, wage levels, and housing costs, but also to the family model. In Mediterranean countries, adult children living together with their parents is more socially acceptable than in some northern European countries.

In Finland they move out before the age of 22

At the other end of the spectrum is Finland. Young Finns leave their parents' home at an average age of 21.4.

In Denmark it is 21.8 years, and in Estonia and Lithuania it is 22.7 years each. In Sweden, young people move out on average at the age of 23.1.

The difference between Finland and Croatia therefore exceeds ten years.

Such large discrepancies cannot be explained solely by cultural differences. Housing assistance systems, the availability of student housing, wages, job stability, and the ability to rent a place without spending the majority of one's income also play a role.

Young people in Cyprus are more likely to work

Cyprus has a high level of youth employment. In 2025, 72.3 percent of the island's population is between 20 and 29 years old.

The average for the European Union was 65.5 percent. In Cyprus, employment in this age group was almost seven percentage points higher.

In Poland, approximately 69% of people aged 20 to 29 worked. This was higher than the EU average but lower than in Cyprus.

However, simply having a job doesn't guarantee the ability to live independently. Salary, contract stability, and the ratio of salary to rent also play a role.

Cyprus is a good example. Despite high employment rates, young people leave home later than residents of many northern European countries.

Housing prices remain a problem

For many young people, the biggest obstacle is not finding a job, but the cost of renting or buying an apartment.

The situation is particularly challenging in Limassol, where rent prices are among the highest on the island. A person just starting their career may struggle to rent an apartment on their own, even if they work full-time.

The solution is to rent a place with other people, stay at home with your parents, or move to a less expensive location. Similar problems occur in Poland, especially in the largest cities.

A high employment rate doesn't necessarily mean a quick move. If housing prices are rising faster than wages, starting to live independently can still be difficult.

The data does not indicate the exact date of the move

Eurostat's results should not be understood as the exact age at which every young person rents an apartment or buys a house for the first time.

The indicator is an estimate based on a household survey. Eurostat analyzes the proportion of people in each age group who are already living without their parents.

The figure given indicates approximately the age at which half of young people no longer live in the same household as their parents.

Statistics also don't show whether the move is permanent. Some young people may leave home for study or work and then return to their families.

Cyprus and Poland are surprisingly similar

In terms of the age of young people becoming independent, Cyprus and Poland are almost at the same place in the European ranking.

In Cyprus, the average age of moving out is 27, and in Poland, it's 26.8. In both countries, this happens slightly later than the EU average, but significantly earlier than in Greece, Croatia, Spain, or Italy.

Cyprus also achieves a better employment rate for people aged 20–29. However, this does not lead to particularly early departures from the parental home.

This shows that a job alone isn't enough. The possibility of moving out also depends on whether a young person can actually afford the rent, bills, and independent living.

Sources: Eurostat, Phileleftheros