In 2024, European Union residents made 1.19 billion personal and professional trips, marking a 4.4% increase compared with 2023, according to new data released by Eurostat. Of these, 92% were intra-EU journeys, underscoring that most Europeans continue to favor destinations within the bloc.
Eurostat reported that 850 million of the total trips were domestic, representing 71% of all travel, while 250 million, or 21%, were foreign trips within the EU. The figures confirm that only a small share of EU residents’ travel extends beyond the region, with intra-European mobility remaining the dominant trend.
Domestic Trips Continue to Lead Travel Patterns
Romania, Spain, France, Portugal, and Greece recorded the highest shares of domestic trips among EU countries. Romania topped the list with 90% of its trips staying within its borders, followed by Spain at 88%, and France, Portugal, and Greece each at 85%. In contrast, Luxembourg had the lowest share of domestic trips at just 5%, followed by Belgium at 23% and Malta at 35%.
Countries with smaller domestic markets, such as Luxembourg, Belgium, and Malta, recorded the highest proportions of foreign trips within the EU. Luxembourg led with 78%, followed by Belgium at 62% and Malta at 48%. Meanwhile, Romania, France, and Spain had the lowest shares of foreign intra-EU travel at 9%, 9%, and 8%, respectively.
Despite domestic travel accounting for the majority of total trips, the report highlights that foreign travel within the EU generates higher overall spending. In 2024, EU residents spent €257.2 billion on domestic trips compared with €360.7 billion on foreign trips. This indicates that while most travel remains local, international trips within Europe are more lucrative for the tourism economy.
Spending Patterns Reflect Travel Priorities
Accommodation and transport made up the largest portions of travel expenditure, both domestically and abroad. On domestic trips, accommodation accounted for 33.9% (€87.2 billion) and transport for 21.3% (€54.8 billion) of total spending. During foreign trips within the EU, travelers spent relatively more on both categories—35.4% (€127.7 billion) on accommodation and 31.9% (€115.1 billion) on transport.
These figures suggest that foreign trips typically involve longer stays and more costly transportation, while domestic travel may rely more on personal vehicles or shorter trips. Eurostat’s data reinforces the continued strength of intra-EU tourism as a driver of regional economies, particularly for accommodation and mobility sectors.
The preference for local and regional destinations aligns with post-pandemic travel behaviors observed across Europe. Increased affordability, easier access to nearby destinations, and the stability of intra-EU travel arrangements continue to make domestic and regional trips more attractive for European travelers. The single market and open borders facilitate this trend, supporting both leisure and professional travel within the EU.
Eurostat’s findings illustrate a resilient and expanding European travel market, where residents continue to explore destinations close to home even as overall trip volumes grow. With 1.19 billion total trips and a growing emphasis on intra-European travel, the EU remains one of the world’s most active and interconnected travel regions.
