European travel affordability declines as costs rise

Recent data from Eurostat indicates a growing trend of travel unaffordability within the European Union. In 2025, nearly 30% of EU citizens aged 16 and older were unable to afford a one-week holiday away from home, representing a 0.5 percentage point increase from 2024.

Romania, Greece, Bulgaria, and Hungary reported the highest proportions of citizens unable to afford a week-long annual vacation. Conversely, citizens in Luxembourg, Sweden, and the Netherlands reported the lowest proportions of travel poverty. Experts attribute these rising costs to increased expenses for accommodation, transportation, and food, alongside declining purchasing power.

Rising costs have also influenced travel destinations, with many tourists opting for domestic trips. In 2024, seven out of ten European travelers chose to holiday within their own country, a trend particularly high in Romania, where 90% of trips were domestic.