According to newly released data from Eurostat, nearly 27% of European Union residents aged 16 and older were unable to afford even a single week of vacation away from home in 2024. Although this figure represents a modest improvement—down 1.5 percentage points from 2023—it still reveals significant disparities in economic resilience across the bloc. Compared to a decade ago, in 2014, the percentage has dropped by 10.6 points.
The most affected countries include Romania, where 58.6% of citizens reported being unable to afford a week-long holiday, followed by Greece (46.0%) and Bulgaria (41.4%). In contrast, only 8.9% of residents in Luxembourg, 11.6% in Sweden, and 13.0% in the Netherlands reported the same financial constraint.
Greek Households Face Persistent Holiday Barriers
In Greece, the data reflects ongoing economic pressure on households. Despite signs of improvement in certain economic indicators over recent years, a large portion of the population remains unable to afford time away from home. This is consistent with the findings of a separate survey conducted by the Institute of Retail Consumer Goods Research (IELKA), which highlights the scale of the issue as the country enters the 2025 summer season.
According to IELKA’s latest research, 52% of Greeks do not plan to take any holidays this year. Financial strain is likely a key factor, though personal and logistical constraints also play a role. Of those who do plan to travel, 48% say they will take some form of holiday. Among them, 33% will opt for short or limited breaks, 14% will vacation as they usually do, and only 1% plan a longer holiday than in previous years.
Shorter and More Modest Holidays
Among those planning a getaway, the majority (38%) expect to be away between 8 and 14 days, while 24% plan shorter breaks of 4 to 7 days. The average holiday length is calculated at 11.3 days—indicating a cautious and budget-conscious approach to travel.
This pattern of restraint is further confirmed by a notable preference for cost-saving strategies. Greek travelers are increasingly turning toward more affordable vacation options in order to manage their budgets or extend their stay without incurring higher costs.
Luxury travel options such as all-inclusive resorts and cruises are largely avoided, attracting only minimal interest among respondents.
Domestic Travel Preferred Over Islands and Cruises
The IELKA survey also reveals clear preferences when it comes to travel destinations. The majority (60%) of Greek holidaymakers intend to stay within mainland Greece, particularly in coastal areas, likely due to lower transportation costs and the ability to drive rather than fly or take a ferry. Island destinations remain popular but come second at 28%, while mountainous regions attract 12% of travelers. Only 9% are considering holidays abroad.
The findings suggest a trend toward simpler, domestic vacations that minimize expenses and logistical complexity—especially avoiding ferry travel, which often adds to the overall cost of Greek island holidays.
While Eurostat data points to long-term improvement in Europeans’ ability to afford holidays, it also highlights the deep and ongoing economic inequalities that exist within the EU. For countries like Greece, where nearly half the population is still unable to plan even a brief vacation, holiday travel remains a luxury, not a given.
