Close to 15% of households are unable to afford celebrating holidays due to financial constraints
Struggling to Take a Week's Vacation: Berlin's Affordability Issues
A Europe-wide survey conducted in the previous year has revealed that Berlin, the German capital, has one of the highest percentages of households unable to afford a week's vacation. The survey, which included data from all federal states in Germany, was used as a criterion for measuring material and social deprivation.
In 2023, around 17% of all households in Berlin were unable to afford a week's vacation. Interestingly, only Bavaria had a lower percentage compared to Berlin. The situation was similar for households with children, with 13.5% of households with children unable to afford a week's vacation, and 17.5% of households with children and no children alike in this predicament.
Among single households in Berlin, one in five could not afford a week's vacation. Despite this, Berlin's percentage of households unable to afford a week's vacation was lower than the national average.
The high percentage of households in Berlin unable to afford a week’s vacation is largely influenced by economic and housing cost factors. While rents in Berlin (€600–€1,000 for one-bedroom apartments) remain cheaper than in many German and European cities, the local income levels and cost of living dynamics still limit disposable income for vacations.
Housing costs and income levels play a significant role. Although Berlin rents are still relatively lower than other major European cities like London, Amsterdam, or Paris, the incomes in Berlin are generally lower than in wealthier German states like Bavaria or Hessen. This results in a tighter household budget, reducing the amount of money available for non-essential expenses such as vacations.
Moreover, the cost of living relative to income can also restrict discretionary spending on holidays. Despite affordable rents relative to other cities, other living costs (utilities, food, transportation) and relatively stagnant wages can put economic pressure on households, leading to a higher share of households not being able to afford even a short vacation.
Compared to cities like London (+48% rent compared to Berlin), Amsterdam (+20%), or Paris (+12%), Berlin's living costs are lower. However, Berliners still struggle with vacation affordability, reflecting income and economic disparity patterns within Germany.
In terms of affordability for vacations, data from 2025 indicates that 51% of Berlin residents cannot afford a week's holiday. This is relatively high, with similar proportions (about 50%) observed in Monterrey, and Munich having a slightly lower figure of 49%. This suggests that affordability issues in Berlin are comparable to some large international cities, though the specific economic contexts vary.
In summary, despite comparatively affordable rents, lower regional income and overall cost of living constraints in Berlin contribute to a significant share of households unable to afford a week’s vacation. This trend parallels some other major cities in Europe but stands out within Germany due to Berlin’s unique economic profile.
- The high percentage of households in Berlin unable to afford a week's vacation can be attributed to the city's housing costs and local income levels, which combined create a tighter household budget, limiting discretionary spending on non-essential expenses such as vacations.
- Data from 2025 shows that 51% of Berlin residents cannot afford a week's holiday, a figure that also reflects income and economic disparity within Germany and is comparable to some large international cities like Monterrey and Munich.
