Germany holiday affordability remains out of reach for millions, with 21% of people in the country saying they could not afford a one-week holiday in 2025, according to new official figures from Destatis.
The Federal Statistical Office said the share was unchanged from 2024 and represented about 17.3 million people. The figures, released on 23 June 2026, show that while Germany performs better than the European Union average, holiday access still depends strongly on income and household type.
Across the EU, 28% of people said they could not afford a one-week annual holiday away from home. Germany remained below that level, but the data shows that a short break is still financially impossible for around one in five residents.
Low-income households face the biggest barrier
Destatis said the ability to pay for a holiday is closely linked to income. Among people in the lowest income fifth, with a monthly net equivalised income of up to around €1,600, 48% said they could not afford a one-week trip.
In the next income group, with earnings between around €1,600 and €2,100 a month, the share fell to 28%. The proportion was lower in higher-income groups, but some people there also said a week away was beyond their budget.
The findings come from EU-SILC, the European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions survey. In Germany, the survey has been integrated into the microcensus since 2020 and asks households whether they can financially afford at least one week of annual holiday away from home.
Single parents are hardest hit
Household structure also played a major role in holiday affordability in Germany. Among people living alone, 29% said they could not afford a week away.
The figure was even higher among single-parent households, where 39% said they lacked the money for a one-week holiday. By comparison, 16% of people in two-adult households without children were affected, while the rate was 18% for households with two adults and children.
The European comparison showed wide differences between countries. Romania recorded the highest share of people unable to afford a one-week holiday, at 61%. Greece followed at 47%, while Bulgaria and Hungary each stood at 39%.
At the other end of the scale, the lowest rates were recorded in Luxembourg, where 11% said they could not afford a week away. Sweden followed at 12%, and the Netherlands at 13%.
The data underlines how rising living costs and uneven household incomes continue to affect travel choices across Europe. For Germany, the figures suggest that even in one of the region’s largest economies, millions remain excluded from the kind of short annual break many households consider a normal part of life.
