For many Europeans, the cost of travel is too expensive

For a large portion of the European population, holidays remain difficult to afford. Rising costs of housing, transportation, and food, combined with eroding purchasing power, are forcing many citizens to give up on trips abroad or to opt for holidays within their own country.

Summer is traditionally associated with traveling and relaxation, but going on holidays remains a privilege for many Europeans. According to an article published by Euronews, nearly three in ten European Union citizens aged 16 or older could not afford a week-long vacation in 2025. The situation has deteriorated slightly over the past year, with a 0.5-point increase in the proportion of people affected. However, it has improved over a longer period: over the past ten years, this proportion has fallen by 7.7 points. These figures therefore reflect overall progress, but also the persistence of significant inequalities between countries and social groups.

The highest rates of people unable to afford a week’s holiday were recorded in Romania, Greece, Bulgaria, and Hungary. These countries are also among those where severe material and social deprivation affects young people the most. Conversely, Luxembourg, Sweden, and the Netherlands have the lowest proportions.

Going on holidays: a luxury for many Europeans

To explain this situation, Euronews points to the rise in essential expenses. Rent, energy bills, food prices, and transportation costs are taking up an increasing share of household income. For low-income households, holidays become a secondary expense—a luxury often sacrificed when the budget is already under strain.

The issue, however, goes beyond mere financial considerations. Esther Lynch, general secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation, points out that rest and time spent with family or friends are important for physical and mental health. She believes that being able to afford a holiday should be a standard part of a decent working life, not a luxury reserved for a minority.

Faced with these challenges, Europeans are traveling more within their own countries. In 2024, about seven out of ten holiday breaks took place within national borders. This proportion reached 90% in Romania, 88% in Spain, and 85% in France, Portugal, and Greece. Belgium, however, stands out for its high level of international travel: 62% of its residents’ holiday breaks were abroad. Even in this case however, holidays are generally short: an average of four nights within the European Union, compared to eight nights for trips outside the EU.

We are therefore faced with a paradox: travel has become more accessible than before, but it's not affordable for everyone. Holidays remain an indicator of income inequality and the fragility of purchasing power in Europe.