According to Eurostat, almost 50% of all Greeks cannot afford a week’s vacation.
Even though Greece has shown some economic improvement, a lot of people there are still really struggling with money. Nearly half the population can’t afford a one-week holiday away from home, which just feels like a pretty stark sign of how tough things are for everyday folks.
Greece now sits among the EU countries with the highest rates of holiday exclusion. Only Romania and Bulgaria have bigger shares of people missing out on short breaks, so the so-called recovery hasn’t really reached everyone.
Key Takeaways
- A large portion of Greeks cannot afford a week-long holiday.
- Greece ranks near the bottom in the EU for holiday affordability.
- Economic improvement has not eased financial pressures for many.
The European perspective on holiday affordability
In 2024, 27.0% of the EU’s population aged 16 or older were unable to afford 1 week of annual holidays away from home.⛱
Highest shares in:
Romania (58.6%)
Greece (46.0%)Lowest in:
Luxembourg (8.9%)
Sweden (11.6%)Learn more https://t.co/A4NbmEnNTs pic.twitter.com/7xAMKO4hAz
— EU_Eurostat (@EU_Eurostat) July 14, 2025
In 2024, just over a quarter of adults across the European Union couldn’t afford a one-week holiday away from home. Sure, that’s a bit better than last year and way better than a decade ago, but the gap between countries is still pretty huge.
Luxembourg, Sweden, and the Netherlands have the lowest rates of holiday exclusion—8.9%, 11.6%, and 13% respectively. Those numbers really reflect the stronger economies up north.
Meanwhile, Southern and Eastern European countries are still facing a tougher time. Romania leads with almost 59% unable to afford a week-long break, with Greece at 46%. Bulgaria’s numbers are high too, though a little lower.
Country |
Percentage Unable to Afford a Week’s Holiday (2024) |
|---|---|
Romania |
58.6% |
Greece |
46.0% |
Bulgaria |
41.4% |
Luxembourg |
8.9% |
Sweden |
11.6% |
Netherlands |
13.0% |
This data really puts a spotlight on the ongoing economic inequalities across the EU. For a lot of people, a simple holiday is still out of reach.
Greece achieves new heights in tourism during 2024
Greece welcomed over 40 million tourists in 2024 and brought in €21.7 billion in revenue. That’s a 5.4% increase from last year, which is honestly impressive.
The tourism sector’s steady rise just shows that Greece is still a top travel destination, especially now that travel restrictions have loosened up. People can’t seem to get enough of it.
Tourism growth is not enough to secure Greece’s future
Tourism plays a massive role in Greece’s economy, making up about 13% of its GDP in 2024. The country leans heavily on the service sector, with over two-thirds of all economic activity coming from there.
Manufacturing and agriculture? They’ve shrunk a lot, now only making up a small slice of the economy. That leaves Greece vulnerable if global travel takes a hit or there’s another economic shock.
Fewer goods are made domestically, so Greece depends more on imports. This pattern really limits stable, long-term growth.
Even with strong tourism revenue, rising living costs mean many Greeks still can’t afford a holiday. Nearly half the population missed out on a one-week break in 2024—so there’s a real gap between tourism earnings and what regular people feel in their wallets.
Experts say Greece needs to bring new life to its industry. Adopting new tech and smarter manufacturing—think Industry 4.0—could help Greece compete globally.
Investing in innovation, infrastructure, and industrial development might finally create a more balanced economy. Honestly, it feels overdue.
Economic Sector |
Contribution to GDP (2023) |
|---|---|
Services |
68.6% |
Industry |
15.2% |
Agriculture |
3.3% |
Half of Greeks Won’t Take Holidays This Year
More than half of Greeks say they’re not planning to take a holiday this summer. A recent survey found that 52% of people will skip their summer break in 2025.
Money worries or personal stuff probably make travel tough for a lot of people. It’s just not easy for everyone to get away these days.
On the other hand, 48% of Greeks still intend to go on holiday. Within that group, 33% are thinking about a short or limited trip.
About 14% expect to travel like they usually do. Only 1% say they’ll actually take a longer break than before—so, almost nobody.
Travel costs play a huge part in why so many might stay home. For instance, ferry tickets for popular island routes are getting pretty pricey.
Here are some rough return ticket prices for typical summer trips from Piraeus port:
Route |
Passengers & Vehicle Mix |
Approximate Cost (€) |
|---|---|---|
Piraeus – Paros |
442 |
|
Piraeus – Tinos |
Family of four (two adults, two children under 10) with car, on regular ferry |
520 |
Piraeus – Syros |
Two people plus a car, on regular ferry |
395 |
Piraeus – Koufonisia |
Two people, fast ferry, no car |
338.80 |
Just the tickets alone can really hit your wallet, especially if you’ve got a family. Throw in accommodation, food, and everything else, and suddenly a holiday feels like a luxury.
Many Greeks have already started their travels as summer moves along. But a big chunk of people have to change plans or ditch holidays entirely.
This pattern really shows the economic squeeze households face right now. It shapes what folks can do for fun and how they spend their downtime.
The gap between those who can afford holidays and those who can’t seems to be growing. Rising costs for transport and just living, in general, definitely nudge people’s choices.
For more details on holiday plans and why so many are staying home, check out the latest survey findings about Greeks skipping vacation this year.
