Key facts
- In 2025, 27.5% of EU adults could not afford a week of annual holiday, down from 35.2% in 2015.
- Norway, Sweden, Finland, Germany, and Austria saw increases in holiday unaffordability.
- Switzerland and Norway had the lowest rates of holiday unaffordability at 9%.
- Romania reported the highest rate of holiday unaffordability at 61%.
- Experts attribute disparities to income levels and overall economic strength, with lower GDP countries showing higher holiday deprivation.
Holiday affordability across Europe has seen a significant improvement, with the percentage of people unable to afford a week-long break decreasing substantially over the past decade. In 2025, 27.5% of the EU's adult population could not afford such a holiday, a notable drop from 35.2% in 2015. This trend, however, is not uniform across the continent.
Five countries—Norway, Sweden, Finland, Germany, and Austria—have bucked this trend, experiencing an increase in the share of their populations unable to afford a holiday. While the increases were marginal in some cases, the three Nordic countries saw the largest rises, though their overall rates remain among the lowest in Europe. Germany and Austria also saw slight increases, with approximately one in five people in these countries unable to afford a holiday in 2025.
Geographically, Southern and Southeastern Europe, including EU candidate countries, exhibit the highest levels of holiday deprivation. Conversely, Northern and Western Europe generally record the lowest rates. Central and Eastern European countries fall in between, with considerable variation.
Experts attribute these disparities to income levels and broader economic disparities within the EU. Professor C. Michael Hall highlighted the importance of disposable income, while Professor Lynn Minnaert pointed to the correlation between a country's GDP and its citizens' ability to take holidays. Countries with lower GDPs tend to have a higher proportion of people unable to afford a break.
Switzerland and Norway stand out with the lowest rates of holiday unaffordability at 9%, while Romania faces the highest challenge at 61%. Significant improvements were observed in countries like Croatia and Serbia, which saw declines of 33 and 32 percentage points, respectively. Other countries like Cyprus, Ireland, Bulgaria, Turkey, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Malta, and Hungary also recorded substantial improvements.