According to data released by the Federal Statistical Office on Monday, holidays in most Southern European countries are significantly cheaper than in Germany.
The most affordable destinations among the selected Southern European countries, for restaurant and hotel stays in April 2026, were North Macedonia, which was 52 percent cheaper compared to Germany, and Bulgaria, which offered a 47 percent saving. In these locations, restaurant and hotel services cost roughly half of what they do in Germany. Other highly cost-effective options for German travelers included Montenegro (39 percent cheaper), Portugal (30 percent cheaper), and Spain (22 percent cheaper).
Travelers also found much lower prices in other Southern locales such as Malta (20 percent cheaper), Cyprus (19 percent cheaper), and Greece (18 percent cheaper). In contrast, Croatia and Italy had the highest price levels among the Southern European group. Nevertheless, services in these countries were still 9 percent and 2 percent, respectively, less expensive than in Germany.
Beyond Southern Europe, German neighbors are often favored for their proximity, whether by car or train. Some of these adjacent states also offered cheaper holidays. For instance, travelers to the Czech Republic paid 30 percent less for dining and hotels, while Poland saw a 12 percent price reduction and France was 4 percent cheaper.
However, for many adjacent countries, holidays were more expensive than in Germany. Tourists had to pay one percent more in Austria, 13 percent more in Belgium, and 14 percent more in the Netherlands. The most expensive neighbors were Denmark, at an increase of 29 percent, and Switzerland, which saw prices rise by 49 percent.
In Scandinavian countries, excluding Denmark, costs were also higher for German vacationers. In March 2026, restaurant and hotel services in Finland were about 10 percent above German prices, and Sweden was 12 percent higher. Norway was significantly more expensive, costing 34 percent more. Iceland boasted the highest prices of all, rising by 49 percent compared to Germany.
