German Holiday Affordability Crisis Leaves One Fifth Unable to Travel

A Destatis survey shows that 21 % of Germans – roughly one in five – cannot afford a week‑long vacation this summer. Packages advertised as cheap, costing €350‑€400 for a week in Turkey or Bulgaria, hide additional expenses for food, transport and other costs, effectively doubling the price. Overall holiday prices have risen at least 10 % from the previous year, pushing the minimum cost for a modest seven‑day stay per person above €1,100.

The inability to afford a break is most acute among low‑income households, with 48 % of those earning around €1,600 a month reporting they cannot finance a week’s leave. Singles and single‑parent families are also disproportionately affected. Across the EU, 28 % of residents face similar constraints.

In Croatia, where many German tourists travel, the affordability gap is even wider. The Croatian State Statistics Office reports a median net monthly salary of €1,304, while two‑thirds of workers earn below the average. Pensions average €721, covering less than half of the national average wage, leaving many retirees unable to consider holiday spending.

The combined data underline a broader European trend of declining purchasing power for leisure travel, raising concerns for the tourism sector and household financial security.