Housing and home­less­ness of un­doc­u­ment­ed migrants across Europe: patterns, barriers, and ways forward

Access to safe and stable housing is a fundamental human right, intrinsically linked to human dignity. Yet across Europe, undocumented migrants are systematically denied this right. Living with an irregular status often means key procedural protections and substantive rights are out of reach, increasing risks of legal invisibility, marginalisation, and homelessness. 

Restrictive policies and widespread discrimination frequently result in substandard living conditions, leading many undocumented people and their families to endure substandard living conditions. This reality has been consistently highlighted by PICUM and FEANTSA members over the years, showcasing how access to housing remains a persistent challenge for undocumented people and their families. 

In 2024, FEANTSA and PICUM launched a collaborative study to investigate the specific housing challenges faced by undocumented people across Europe, with a particular focus on children, families, and young people. This report presents the findings of that initiative. We focused on undocumented migrants exclusively to analyse how residence affects people’s access to housing. To produce this report, we used a mixed-methods approach: a survey of PICUM and FEANTSA member organisations eliciting responses from 45 organisations across Europe,1 desk research of literature, policy, and statistical data, and a consultation with member organisations to facilitate peer exchange and refine the analysis. 

In the following chapters, we examine the legal and policy frameworks that shape access to housing for undocumented migrants, identify the key barriers they encounter when trying to secure public, private, or emergency housing, explore how migration and homelessness intersect, and propose recommendations to ensure that undocumented migrants enjoy access to their housing rights. 

We intend for this report to support advocacy efforts and inform policy reforms aimed at ensuring the right to adequate housing for all, regardless of residence status.