According to figures from the Federal Economy Department, just over 905,000 Belgians own 2 or more properties. The Federal Economy Department’s figures reveal that on 1 January 2025 there were 5,062,913 homeowners in Belgium. Couples that have bought a house together are both counted individually in the figures.
The number of people that own more than 1 property rose from 889.962 in 2024 to 905,590 in 2025. These include people that have bought holiday homes at the seaside or in the Ardennes or that have invested in a studio flat or student room for their children while they study. There are also those that let out a single flat or house and those that have invested in numerous properties that they put out for rent.
In 2020 just over 800,000 Belgians owned several (more than 2) properties. More than 6,400 Belgen had between 20 and 50 properties. A small group of 917 people in Belgium owned more than 50 properties.
Safe investment
But why are more and more people in Belgium choosing to invest in property? Alissa Lefebre is a real estate economist at the bank ING. She told the Sunday freesheet ‘De zondag’ that "Belgians continue to view real estate as a safe investment”.
“In Belgium, property prices have continued to rise steadily in recent years. Compared neighbouring countries, we have seen fewer price corrections. Our latest real estate survey shows that around 70% r Belgians believe that house prices in Belgium will never fall.’
Meanwhile, Bart Van Opstal of the Belgian Notary Federation says that in times of international instability and uncertainty, real estate acts as a safe haven for investors. Buyers no longer wait for prices to drop as they know that this isn’t going to happen.
But who are all these people purchasing real estate? “They might be investors, people looking for a second home and also young people fist timer buyers”.
“Young people invest quite considerable sums when buying a home. However, they often receive help from their parents to enable them to do so. On top of this there is of course the mortgage they take out with the bank. It not easy for them”.