Struggling to Take Time Off: The Reality of Unaffordable Vacations for Millions in Germany
- Approx. 2 min. read
Skyrocketing travel costs limit vacation opportunities for numerous individuals. - Affordability of Leisure Travel: A Dilemma for Many, as Week-Long Vacations Remain Out of Reach for Many Individuals
Summer getaways remain a luxury for manifold Germans: In 2024, nearly one in five individuals (21%) in the nation couldn't finance a one-week vacation, translating to approximately 17.4 million individuals, as per statistics by the Federal Statistical Office.
Although the number of people unable to cover the cost of a one-week vacation slightly decreased from 2023 (23%), Germany still followed behind the EU average of 27% of the population under financial restrictions [1].
When it comes to vacation affordability, family status matters
single parents were particularly affected: 38% of this demographic were unable to afford a one-week vacation in 2024. Notably, single-person households also faced above-average difficulties (29%).
Family dynamics turn out to be a crucial factor. Among German families with children, the number of children significantly influenced vacation feasibility: 16% of couples with one or two children couldn't spare the funds for a vacation, whereas this rose to 29% for households containing three or more children.
In the EU landscape, money proved to be a substantial obstacle for Romanian and Greek residents seeking summer vacations: 59% and 46% could not afford a trip [1], respectively. Compare this to Luxembourg, Sweden, and the Netherlands, where only 9%, 12%, and 13% of residents experienced such financial difficulties [2], respectively.
- Germany
- Summer Holidays
- EU
What's Behind the Budget Barrier?
The high cost of living in Germany, with average monthly expenses amounting to around €2,846 as of 2025, coupled with consistently escalating prices for essentials such as groceries, utilities, and petrol, poses an economic challenge for many households [3]. Such pressure indicates that a substantial portion of the population may struggle with discretionary expenses like vacations.
When examined in the broader EU context, vacation affordability varies significantly across nations. Expensive European destinations like Switzerland, Liechtenstein, France, and Monaco have average daily travel costs of above $285, potentially making trips more financially burdensome for their citizens [4]. Conversely, budget-friendly countries such as Portugal, Ireland, and Belgium have lower travel expenses, potentially enabling a higher percentage of their population to afford vacations [4].
Moving Forward
Though specific comparative percentages are not accessible, Germany's growing living expenses and stagnant wages imply that a considerable number of households struggle with vacation affordability. Compared to other EU countries, affordability varies significantly, with Germans facing moderate financial challenges compared to residents in both costlier countries (e.g., Switzerland, France) and less expensive nations (e.g., Portugal, Ireland), based on average travel and living costs [4][5].
For precise figures, future data collection from Eurostat or EU-wide surveys on "inability to afford a one-week summer vacation" could yield accurate statistics—such data is typically compiled in social exclusion or income inequality studies.
[1] Eurostat – EU Statistics
[2] Statista – Household Expenditure for Vacation, Germany and EU 2024
[3] Statista – Average Monthly Household Income in Germany from 2001 to 2025
[4] Numbeo – Cost of Travel & Living in Europe
[5] OECD– Eurostat – Cost of Living Ranking, 2025
- The community policy discussion needs to address the escalating living costs in Germany, potentially including measures to alleviate the financial burden on citizens, such as policies focused on personal-finance and affordable vacations.
- In light of the general-news on unaffordable vacations faced by millions in Germany, political initiatives may be necessary to enable more equitable access to vacation opportunities across the population, following examples from other EU countries where affordability varies significantly.
