Financial insecurity prevents holiday-taking among residents in several EU countries.

Holidays: A Privilege or a Distant Reality for Many Europeans?

Swap those work emails for sun loungers, right? Not for everyone in Europe. With the onslaught of summer, millions of Europeans are trading their nine-to-fives for beachside cocktails. But for about 29% of the population across the EU, that's just a dream.

As summer rolls around, it's all about vacations, escape, and an opportunity to unwind. But for many people in Europe, a holiday is still more privilege than reality. Eurostat estimates show that around a quarter of EU citizens couldn't afford a one-week trip in 2023.

Now, let's break that down a bit. In 2022, data from Eurostat shows that 62% of the EU population took at least one non-work holiday trip, but that still leaves 38% who didn't indulge in some tropical getaway or cultural adventure last year. The report doesn't divulge the reasons for skipping holidays, but financial limitations suggest themselves.

Holiday Haves and Have-Nots

Take a look at who's moseying off to the Mediterranean and who's stuck in the office during that time. Spain tops the list of countries with the most holiday-deprived citizens, with 33% of the population unable to afford a week's vacation. Italy isn't far behind with 32%, while France and Germany, with 25% and 23% respectively, fare a bit better. But it's Romania, Bulgaria, and Hungary that have the most vacant sunbeds: With 60%, 44%, and 43% of their respective populations not able to afford a holiday, these countries have a distant reality from the vibrant holiday destinations they hope to visit.

On the other hand, Norway is holding it down at the other end of the spectrum. With only 7.9% of people being economically forced to forego travel, it's safe to say Norwegians are living their best lives.

Not All Rupees Are Created Equal

What's the deal with these disparities? Professor Lynn Minnaert, Dean of the School of Hospitality at the Metropolitan State University of Denver, shared some insights with our website Business. According to Minnaert, the discrepancies between countries are closely linked to the strength of their economies.

"Countries at the bottom of the list have higher GDPs than those at the top of the list," she said, adding that the level of disposable income is indeed a significant factor in people's ability to take holidays.

So, in essence, the wider the wealth gap, the more pronounced the disparities in travel habits become. Professor C. Michael Hall from the Department of Management, Marketing, and Tourism at Canterbury University echoed this sentiment, highlighting the role of disposable income in holiday-taking.

"Disparities with holiday taking and expenditure reflect some of the broader economic disparities within the EU," he stated.

Europeans at Home: Travels Within Borders

Now that we've got the basics down, let's delve into some insights on where EU residents are vacationing and how much they're spending. According to Eurostat, average tourism spending per person in the EU varies significantly from country to country.

In 2022, Luxembourg had the highest tourism spending per night at €175, followed by Austria at €154, while the EU average hovered around €87. However, these figures represent tourism spending based on a tourist's country of residence, not on the destination country.

In terms of top economies, Germany had the highest spending at €109 per night, with France (€84), Spain, and Italy (both €72) coming in below average.

When it comes to spending on domestic and international trips, the numbers tell a different story. EU residents spent an average of €68 per night on domestic tourism and €117 per night on trips abroad in 2022. In some countries, the average spending on domestic tourism was as low as €30 per night. Austria had the highest average spending on domestic tourism at €138.

On the other hand, residents of some countries spent at least twice as much per night on foreign trips compared to domestic trips. In 2022, this ratio was 3.7 in Latvia, followed by 2.8 in Czechia.

So, Where Are They Spending Their Money?

According to Eurostat, in 2022, EU residents spent an estimated €474bn on tourism trips. Shockingly, more than half (53%) of this tourism expenditure was allocated to trips in foreign countries. This means almost 6 out of every 10 euros spent on travel left the EU.

Residents of Luxembourg spent the most on trips across borders, with 98% of their tourism expenditure going abroad. Belgium (90%), Malta (89%), Cyprus (84%), and the Netherlands (81%) were not too far behind.

Conversely, over 70% of tourism spending by residents of Romania, Greece, and France was on domestic trips. These numbers suggest that some EU countries have a lower propensity to travel abroad, possibly due to economic or cultural factors.

EU residents spent 6% of their tourism expenditure on trips to America, followed by Asia (4%) and Africa (3%).

In conclusion, the power to vacation is not evenly distributed across Europe. As we navigate economic, cultural, and geographical complexities, we must recognize economic disparities within our diverse continent and work toward a more equitable travel landscape for all.

Enrichment Data:

The search results suggest that financial constraints play a significant role in determining a person's ability to take a holiday. Inflation rates, particularly in the areas of package holidays and air travel, have witnessed large increases in 2025, which may impact holiday choices for many Europeans (Statista, 2023). Additionally, the impact of the pandemic on the tourism industry is highlighted in the data, with spending trends shifting due to travel restrictions, crippling the industry and forcing many to reconsider their vacation plans (Eurostat, 2022). This information emphasizes the importance of considering various economic, societal, and global factors when examining holiday-taking trends across Europe.

Despite the approach of summer and the allure of vacation, Eurostat estimates showed that approximately a quarter of EU citizens couldn't afford a one-week trip in 2023, highlighting the financial inequalities across Europe.
As the data shows, countries such as Spain, Italy, and France have a substantial portion of their populations unable to afford vacations, while Norway stands out with only 7.9% being economically forced to forego travel.
In the context of holidays, Professor Lynn Minnaert from the Metropolitan State University of Denver suggests that the disparities between countries are closely linked to the strength of their economies, emphasizing the role of personal-finance in shaping travel habits.
When it comes to tourism expenditure, EU residents spent more than half (53%) of their travel budget on trips in foreign countries, revealing a preference for international travel and shedding light on the travel habits of the continent's residents.
To address these economic disparities, it's crucial to recognize the uneven distribution of the power to vacation across Europe and work toward a more equitable travel landscape that caters to all residents, regardless of their personal-finance situation.