42 million workers cannot afford a 1 week holiday in Europe - ETUC data

Across Europe, 42 million workers are unable to afford even a one-week holiday away from home, according to new data released by the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC). The figures highlight the growing struggle for low-income households to access basic leisure, despite legal entitlements to paid vacation.

In total, 37% of low-income workers across the EU are excluded from holiday travel due to financial constraints. The problem is most acute in Greece, Romania, and Bulgaria, where more than 60% of the lowest earners cannot afford a week-long break. Even in relatively wealthier countries like France and Italy, around one in three low-income workers are in the same position.

Luxembourg, by contrast, appears at the other end of the spectrum. Just 9% of low-income earners in the Grand Duchy reported being unable to take a holiday. This places Luxembourg among the most “holiday-accessible” nations in Europe, alongside Sweden and Finland.

But the headline numbers hide deeper inequalities. The ETUC report shows that the holiday gap between the general population and low-income workers remains stubbornly wide. In some countries, that gap is as high as 50 percentage points.

The ETUC argues that this divide reflects a broader issue: workers across Europe may be entitled to holidays on paper, but not in practice. The union body is calling for a European directive to strengthen minimum wages and improve enforcement of paid leave.

For expats and residents in Luxembourg, the findings serve as a reminder of both privilege and proximity. Many in Luxembourg enjoy higher-than-average incomes, but cross-border workers and newly arrived residents often face rising costs of living that quietly erode their ability to travel.

Holiday affordability, while often seen as a lifestyle topic, is increasingly being framed as a marker of economic exclusion. As inflation continues to affect food, housing, and transport costs across the EU, the idea of a restful summer break is becoming harder to reach — especially for those on temporary contracts, part-time work, or minimum wage.

The EU-wide debate now revolves not just around days off, but whether workers can afford to use them. For 42 million people this summer, the answer remains no.

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