Slovaks Nearly Split Between Property Investment and Holidays, 365.invest Survey Shows

Slovaks Split Almost Evenly Between Property and Holidays

A new survey commissioned by Slovak asset manager 365.invest shows the country almost evenly split over how to use spare money: 48 percent of respondents would prioritise investing in real estate, while 43 percent would rather spend on a holiday.

The poll, conducted by Ipsos on its Instant Research platform with 1,050 respondents, found the biggest divide between men and women. Among men, 52 percent chose a property investment over a holiday; among women, the figure was 43.4 percent, said Jana Považanová, a PR expert speaking for 365.invest.

Regional differences are also pronounced. More than half of respondents in the Žilina, Prešov and Banská Bystrica regions said property comes first, while in Trenčín 53 percent preferred to spend on a holiday. The findings reinforce a well-established pattern: 93 percent of Slovaks are property owners, and real estate funds are among the most popular investment vehicles in the country, accounting for a much larger share of mutual fund assets than the eurozone average.

365.invest says the results show property is still seen as a stable, understandable store of value, but argues the survey should not be read as an endorsement of buying a flat or house. "Increasingly accessible alternatives are real estate funds, which allow investing in the property market with a much lower entry amount and without the worries of managing a specific property," said Peter Vojtek, head of real estate transactions at 365.invest.

What the 365.invest Survey Shows About Slovak Saving Habits

Why Property Remains the Slovak Default

The 48 percent figure, alongside the 93 percent ownership rate, points to something deeper than a financial calculation: a home in Slovakia is a culturally anchored asset. The 365.invest team describes it as "a stable and understandable value," and the survey suggests most households agree even when other spending pulls them the other way.

That does not mean Slovaks are turning away from housing exposure. The data point that matters for the investment industry is that real estate funds already hold a larger share of Slovak mutual fund assets than the eurozone average — evidence that demand for property is being channelled into funds, not just bricks and mortar.

Reading the Survey With Its Sponsor in Mind

It is worth noting that 365.invest commissioned and published this research, and its own product range includes real estate funds. The findings legitimately describe public attitudes, but the framing — property as a safe default, funds as the lower-barrier route into it — also maps neatly onto what 365.invest sells. The promotional angle does not invalidate the numbers, but the quoted commentary should be read as part of a marketing context as well as market research.

What the Gender and Regional Gaps Suggest

The survey does not explain why men are more property-focused than women or why Trenčín stands out as the most holiday-oriented region. Interpretation should therefore stay cautious. One plausible reading is that household income, age and local housing markets differ across regions and between men and women, and those factors, not a simple preference for holidays, may drive the split. What the data does show is that the "Slovaks and property" stereotype, broadly true at 93 percent ownership, hides a meaningful minority that prioritises experiences.

What the Split Means for Slovaks Choosing Between Property and Holidays

For households weighing a property purchase against travel or other spending, the survey offers a few concrete reference points.

• If you lean toward property but cannot or do not want to buy outright, real estate funds are already a mainstream choice in Slovakia — their share of mutual fund assets is above the eurozone average — so compare fund entry thresholds, fees and redemption terms with the cost of a direct purchase.
• If you sit in the 43 percent who would choose a holiday, that preference is shared by nearly half the country, but check whether you have any longer-term savings or investment in place, since the survey also notes that only a minority of Slovaks invest at all.
• Treat the regional pattern as context, not guidance: in Žilina, Prešov and Banská Bystrica more than half of respondents prioritise property, while in Trenčín 53 percent prioritise holidays. Base the decision on your own finances rather than the prevailing view in your region.