European travelers face holiday affordability and roaming fee challenges

Recent data highlights economic and logistical challenges facing travelers within and outside the European Union. According to Eurostat, 27.5% of the EU population aged 16 and older could not afford a one-week annual holiday away from home in 2025, a slight increase from 27.0% in 2024. Economic disparities remain significant across the bloc; for instance, 61.4% of Romanians could not afford a holiday, compared to only 10.6% in Luxembourg.

In addition to affordability, travelers face unexpected costs when journeying outside the EU. A YouGov study conducted for eSIM provider Airalo found that 19% of respondents returned from non-EU trips to unexpected mobile bills. The issue is particularly acute among 18-to-24-year-olds, where 54% reported such charges. While EU roaming regulations protect travelers within the union and recently expanded to include Ukraine and Moldova, popular destinations like the UK, Switzerland, Turkey, and the USA remain subject to high roaming fees unless travelers utilize solutions like eSIM technology.