Które kraje europejskie mają najwyższe ceny: ranking kosztów życia Eurostatu

Nowe dane z Eurostatu ujawniły, jak bardzo koszty życia różnią się w poszczególnych krajach europejskich. W niektórych krajach ten sam zestaw towarów i usług kosztuje prawie cztery razy więcej niż w innych. Dowiedz się, które kraje znalazły się na szczycie listy najdroższych i najtańszych, a także gdzie będziesz musiał wydać najwięcej na zakupy spożywcze, restauracje i hotele

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When planning a move, a trip, or even remote work abroad, it’s important to consider not only salary levels but also the actual cost of living. New Eurostat data, published and analyzed by Euronews, shows that prices for the same set of goods and services can vary by nearly a factor of four across different European countries. The countries of Northern and Western Europe remain the most expensive, while those in the Balkan region offer significantly lower prices.

The study covers 36 European countries and compares Actual Individual Consumption (AIC)—an indicator that reflects the cost of goods and services consumed by households. The European Union average—100 points—is used as the baseline. In this article, we’ll discuss which countries were the most expensive and the cheapest in 2025, where in Europe prices for specific categories of goods are highest, and why the difference in the cost of living between countries remains so significant.

Earlier, we talked about the European countries where it is easiest to get a work visa and start a career abroad.

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The Most Expensive Countries in Europe in 2026

According to Eurostat, the average consumer price level in the European Union is set at 100 points. If a country’s index exceeds this value, goods and services there are more expensive than the EU average; if it is lower, they are cheaper. In 2026, the most expensive countries in Europe were once again those in Northern and Western Europe, where high prices are attributed to high household incomes, high labor costs, and the overall level of economic development.

The top five most expensive countries in Europe were:

1. Iceland – 183.7 points (+83.7% above the EU average)

2. Switzerland – 181.1 (+81.1%)

3. Luxembourg – 148.0 (+48.0%)

4. Denmark – 140.2 (+40.2%)

5. Ireland – 139.6 (+39.6%)

The gap between the top two countries in the ranking and the rest is particularly noticeable. In Iceland and Switzerland, consumer prices are nearly double the EU average, while even in Luxembourg, which ranked third, they are already significantly lower. This means that everyday expenses (from groceries and transportation to restaurants and other services) in these countries are among the highest on the continent.

Among EU member states, Luxembourg remains the most expensive, while Iceland and Switzerland top the pan-European ranking, even though they are not part of the European Union. These results once again confirm that countries with the highest per capita incomes generally also have the highest consumer price levels.

Consumer Price Index in European Countries in 2026 (EU = 100). Source: Eurostat / Euronews

The Cheapest Countries in Europe in 2026

At the other end of the ranking are the countries of Southeast Europe, where consumer prices remain significantly below the EU average. For tourists, this means lower costs for everyday purchases, food, and a range of services; however, it is worth remembering that lower prices are often accompanied by lower per capita incomes.

The five cheapest countries in Europe in 2026 are as follows:

1. North Macedonia – 49.7 points (50.3% below the EU average)

2. Turkey – 52.2

3. Bosnia and Herzegovina – 55.7

4. Romania – 58.9

5. Bulgaria – 60.0

North Macedonia’s result is particularly telling. It is the only country in the ranking where consumer prices are less than half the European Union average. Not far behind are Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Romania, and Bulgaria, which also remain among the most affordable destinations in Europe in terms of daily expenses.

When comparing the top countries in both rankings, the difference is striking. Iceland’s price index (183.7) is nearly 3.7 times higher than North Macedonia’s (49.7). This gap demonstrates just how significantly the cost of living can vary even within a single continent.

That is why, before moving, studying, seeking employment, or embarking on a long-term trip, it is important to assess not only salary levels but also local prices. In many cases, a country with lower incomes may turn out to be significantly more affordable in terms of daily expenses.

Learn more about the most affordable countries for expats to live in 2026 by following the link.

Where in Europe are food, alcohol, restaurants, and hotels the most expensive?

The overall price level does not always reflect the actual cost of individual goods or services. For example, a country may be relatively affordable according to the overall index, but at the same time rank among the most expensive in terms of alcohol or hotel prices. That is why Eurostat also compared prices across various categories of consumer spending.

Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages

The most expensive food prices in 2025 were recorded in:

- Switzerland – 173% of the EU average

- Iceland – 162%

- Norway – 154%

The lowest food prices were found in:

- Romania – 76% of the EU average

- Slovakia – 83%

- Poland – 87%

Thus, the same basket of groceries in Switzerland can cost more than twice as much as in Romania.

In our previous article, we discussed the richest cities and regions in Europe in 2026.

Alcohol and Tobacco

The highest prices for alcoholic beverages and tobacco products are found in countries with high excise taxes:

- Iceland – 237% of the EU average

- Ireland – 205%

- Finland – 175%

In contrast, prices remain the most affordable in:

- Bulgaria – 69%

- Poland – 83%

- Slovakia – 84%

Earlier, we wrote about the happiest cities in the world in 2026.

Restaurants and Hotels

For tourists, this category of expenses is the most noticeable. Dining out and staying in hotels are most expensive in:

- Switzerland – 175% of the EU average

- Iceland – 150%

- Denmark – 148%

The lowest prices are found in:

- Bulgaria – 53%

- Romania – 69%

- Hungary – 72%

For travelers, this means that dinner at a restaurant or a night at a hotel in Switzerland can cost more than three times as much as in Bulgaria.

Clothing, Electronics, and Transportation

Not all categories show such large differences. For example, clothing prices vary much less across most European countries thanks to the presence of international retail chains.

The difference in the cost of consumer electronics and personal transportation is even smaller. This is due to intense competition among manufacturers, the single European market, and global supply chains, which keep price fluctuations between countries to a minimum.

We previously wrote about the best cities in Europe to live in 2026.

Why do prices in Europe vary so much?

The difference in the cost of living between European countries is not due to a single factor, but rather a combination of economic, tax, and market characteristics. High price levels are typically found in countries with high per capita incomes, while countries with lower wages tend to offer cheaper goods and services.

The main factors influencing pricing are:

1. Per capita income. In countries with high wages, such as Switzerland, Iceland, or Luxembourg, businesses have higher labor costs, which affect the final cost of goods and services.

2. Taxes and excise duties. These largely determine the prices of alcohol, tobacco, fuel, and certain categories of consumer goods. For example, high excise taxes are one of the reasons why Iceland and Ireland top the rankings for the cost of alcohol.

3. Rent and utility costs. For stores, restaurants, and hotels, this is one of the key expense categories that directly affects consumer prices.

4. The exchange rate of the national currency. In countries outside the eurozone, exchange rate fluctuations can either raise or lower the relative price level compared to EU countries.

5. Competition and market structure. For certain product categories, such as electronics or clothing, price differences between countries are significantly smaller thanks to the presence of international brands and the single European market.

At the same time, experts emphasize that high prices do not always mean a lower standard of living. They should be evaluated in conjunction with wage levels, the population’s purchasing power, and overall household expenditures. It is precisely a comprehensive analysis of these indicators that allows for an objective comparison of the cost of living across different European countries.

If you are planning to legalize, apply for a residence permit or submit migration documents abroad, the assistance of specialized migration lawyers can significantly simplify the process. Specialists will help you assess your chances of obtaining legal status, prepare a package of documents, avoid common mistakes, and accompany you at all stages of the migration procedure: from the initial consultation to obtaining a decision from the migration authorities.

We remind you! New economic indicators show which countries have been able to increase their GDP and which have lost ground due to inflation and slowing growth. Ranking of the richest countries in the world in 2026 — follow the link.

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