Rising costs shorten holiday plans as Greece ranks among Europe’s worst affected
The figures show that 27.5% of people aged 16 and over in the European Union could not afford a week-long holiday away from home in 2025. The rate increased by 0.5 percentage points compared with 2024, although it remains 7.7 percentage points lower than a decade earlier in 2015.
Greece ranked second among EU countries with the highest proportion of people unable to financially afford a week-long annual holiday, with 46.6% of the population affected. Romania recorded the highest rate at 61.4%, followed by Bulgaria and Hungary, both at 39.1%.
At the opposite end of the ranking, the lowest rates were recorded in Luxembourg (10.6%), Sweden (12.4%) and the Netherlands (12.8%).
Data from Greece’s statistical authority ELSTAT also highlights the impact of rising prices on domestic travel. Nearly six out of 10 Greeks said they do not take trips or holidays because of financial constraints, while health-related reasons were the second most common factor, reported by 20.8% of respondents.
To cope with increasing accommodation costs, many Greeks are turning to alternative options such as staying in family-owned homes or with relatives and friends. According to ELSTAT data, 52.1% of personal trips were made using non-rented accommodation, accounting for 71.6% of total overnight stays.
A separate survey by the Institute of Retail Consumer Goods (IELKA) found that half of Greeks said they would not take a summer holiday in 2026. Among those planning to travel, more than four in 10 expected their holiday to last only four to seven days.
