🏠 In Slovakia, 91% of seniors own their home. Average pension: €620/month. In Czechia: a flat worth €160-200K, pension €840/month.
Sitting on a goldmine, eating bread rolls.
In the UK and France, equity release has been unlocking this wealth for decades — no loans, no debt. The homeowner stays in their home, receives payments, and nothing needs to be repaid.
In Central Europe? Almost nothing exists.
Why? Regulation gaps, cultural barriers, and zero product availability.
The numbers are striking: → 91.7% of Slovak seniors' wealth is locked in property (Eurostat) → In Czechia it's 78%, but at higher property values → UK equity release market: £6.2bn in 2024, growing 8% yearly → Central Europe: essentially zero
This is one of the biggest unaddressed financial challenges in our region. W