According to the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), approximately one in five people in Germany-or 21 percent of the population-felt they could not afford a one-week vacation during the summer holiday period in 2025. This figure represents about 17.3 million individuals. Destatis reported that this percentage remained stable compared to 2024, though it was higher in 2023, when the rate stood at 23 percent.
When compared internationally, German statistics show that a significantly larger proportion of the population here can afford a holiday than the average across all European Union member states, where the figure was 28 percent. However, the ability to afford a vacation varies widely among EU nations. Self-reported data indicates that people in Romania (61 percent), Greece (47 percent), Bulgaria, and Hungary (39 percent each) found it most difficult to afford a trip. Conversely, the lowest rates of non-affordability were found in Luxembourg (11 percent), Sweden (12 percent), and the Netherlands (13 percent).
As expected, the ability to fund a vacation is heavily tied to income. In the lowest income quintile, where the net equivalent income is at most around €1,600 per month, 48 percent of people reported being unable to afford a one-week holiday in 2025. For the next income quintile, earning between roughly €1,600 and €2,100, the ratio of those affected dropped to 28 percent. Even among higher earners, a minority will report financial difficulties, though the prevalence is much lower.
Furthermore, household composition is a notable factor. Households where only one person earns an income are particularly affected. For example, 29 percent of single-person households reported not being able to afford a week-long vacation. In single-parent households, this figure was even higher at 39 percent. For comparison, the percentage of people affected in households with two adults but no children was 16 percent, while those with two adults and children were 18 percent.
