Lithuanians are bracing for higher mortgage rates as the European Central Bank (ECB) announced an increase in key interest rates in July 2022. This was the first interest rate hike since March 2016, and it’s expected to impact homeowners across the country significantly.
Current interest rates stand at 3.00%, but could climb as high as 3.75%, according to data from Kreditai.INFO, meaning that Lithuanian homeowners are now paying a few hundred euros more each month than they were a year ago.
“This is a difficult time for many homeowners,” said ECB President Christine Lagarde. “We understand that this will have an impact on their household expenses, and we want to do what we can to help them through this period of uncertainty.”
The ECB has outlined several measures to help those affected by higher interest rates, including targeted loan refinancing programs, debt restructuring options, and targeted fiscal measures such as tax breaks.
For now, though, Lithuanian homeowners face uncertain times as they prepare for rising mortgage payments. Many are hoping that the ECB will eventually reverse its decision and lower interest rates again in the near future.
For anyone considering buying property in Lithuania or refinancing their current mortgage, experts recommend researching all of their options before making any decisions about their finances. With so much uncertainty surrounding interest rates and other economic issues in Europe, it's important for prospective homebuyers to know what they're getting into before signing any contracts.