Updated
Updated · Euronews · Aug 10
EU Holiday Deprivation Falls to 27.5% in 2025 as Germany and Nordics Buck Trend
Updated
Updated · Euronews · Aug 10

EU Holiday Deprivation Falls to 27.5% in 2025 as Germany and Nordics Buck Trend

3 articles · Updated · Euronews · Aug 10

Summary

  • 27.5% of EU residents aged 16 and over could not afford a one-week annual holiday away from home in 2025, down from 35.2% in 2015 and marking a 7.7-point improvement.
  • Five countries moved against that trend: Norway, Sweden, Finland, Germany and Austria all posted increases, with Germany at 21% and Austria at 20%-plus despite only modest decade rises.
  • 61% in Romania was the highest rate in Europe, followed by Montenegro at 58%, Albania at 53% and Turkey at 51%, while Switzerland and Norway were lowest at 9%.
  • 25 of 30 countries recorded declines over the decade, led by Croatia and Serbia with drops of 33 and 32 points; Cyprus, Ireland, Bulgaria and Turkey also improved sharply.
  • Income gaps help explain the divide: Southern and Southeastern Europe show the highest holiday deprivation, while Northern and Western Europe remain lowest, broadly tracking GDP and disposable income.

Insights

What hidden economic shift is forcing residents of Europe's wealthiest nations to abandon their holiday plans?
Why are locals in Europe's cheapest tourist destinations completely unable to afford their own annual vacations?
Is the traditional one-week getaway becoming an outdated metric for well-being in a changing European economy?