Of the five most visited European holiday countries, Spain is the cheapest for holidaymakers who do their own shopping. In Spain, food prices are 4 percent lower than the average in the European Union. In the Netherlands, these prices are 1.1 percent above this average. Statistics Netherlands reports this on the basis of new Eurostat figures on prices in 2018. France, Germany, Spain, Italy and Austria are the most visited holiday countries by the Dutch in the summer. Food prices are higher in four of the five countries than in the Netherlands. In the top five of Dutch summer holiday destinations, food is only cheaper in Spain. Food prices in France are more than 16 percent higher than the EU average. In Austria, the fifth holiday destination on this list, food prices are almost 27 percent above the EU average.
Meat prices
Those who love barbecuing will find the most expensive in Austria. Meat prices are 45 percent above the European average, France is 30 percent more expensive. Spain is again the lowest priced, followed by Germany and Italy.
Potatoes, vegetables and fruit are slightly more expensive in France than in Austria, almost 27 percent above the European average. In Italy and Germany the prices are 7 percent and 5 percent higher than that average, in Spain the prices are 1.1 percent lower. In the Netherlands, these prices are slightly above the EU average (2.2 percent).
Drinks cheap in Spain and Germany
For drinks, the price differences are more moderate. Outliers are Austria, where non-alcoholic drinks are 13 percent above the EU average, and Spain and Germany. Alcoholic drinks here are respectively 16 percent and 11 percent below the EU average.
Restaurants and hotels relatively expensive in France
In France, in addition to food, hotels and restaurants are also priced higher than the average in the European Union. Prices for hotels and restaurants are 18 percent higher. Hotels and restaurants are the cheapest in Spain.
North Macedonia has cheapest food in Europe
The cheapest country in Europe for food is North Macedonia, where prices are almost 40 percent below the EU average, followed by Romania and Poland. The most expensive country is Switzerland. Prices there are almost 64 percent above the EU average. Norway is a fraction below this, followed by Iceland.
