About 1.19 million Belgians own at least one second property, and the number of multiple homeowners in Belgium continues to rise, according to a study by BNP Paribas Fortis.
An estimated 985,000 Belgians have a second residence – or more – in Belgium. An average of €236,700 was borrowed for the purchase of an additional residence in 2022, up 6.7%. More than 9 in 10 mortgage loans for a second property are for a purchase in Belgium.
BNP Paribas Fortis notes that most second properties domestically (65%) are intended to generate rental income.
On the coast, the situation is different however, where they are used mainly as vacation homes. Of all second homes purchased in Belgium, 7% are on the coast, but of these, 60% are for own use.
The number of Belgians with at least one second property abroad in 2022 is estimated by the researchers at 200,546. Only a minority of these (14%) are for rental income.
The most popular country is Spain (42%), followed by France (32%) and fast-growing Italy (7%).
