Germany's Summer 2026 Travel Plans Stay Strong Despite Rising Fuel Prices

A new Urlaubsplanungsindex released by the German Institute for Tourism Research and the German Tourism Association indicates that 62 % of Germans intend to take at least one vacation in the next three months, with a total score of 106 points versus the reference baseline of 100. Higher fuel and kerosene prices appear to have limited short‑term effect: 87 % of respondents say price increases do not affect their plans, while 13 % adjust destinations or the number of trips, and only 2 % would cancel entirely. The index shows a slight preference for foreign travel (111 points) over domestic trips (101 points), and 42 % of surveyed people anticipate staying within Germany compared with 40 % planning overseas trips.

Separately, the Federal Statistical Office reports that around 21 % of the German population – roughly 17.3 million people – cannot afford a one‑week vacation, with single parents most affected (39 % unable to travel). The data highlights a socioeconomic divide as the federal government moves to raise defence spending to 5 % of GDP and expand borrowing for rearmament, a policy shift that critics say comes at the expense of social welfare and ordinary citizens’ ability to take holidays.