Bulgaria Emerges as EU’s Cheapest Holiday Destination! Beating Greece, Spain and Croatia

Bulgaria is strengthening its reputation as the most budget-friendly tourist destination in the European Union, according to the latest comparative price data. The figures show that the country has the lowest overall consumer price level among EU member states, while accommodation and restaurant services remain among its biggest advantages for international visitors. The comparison, based on more than 2,000 goods and services, places Bulgaria ahead of all other EU countries in terms of affordability. Among popular Southern European holiday destinations, only non-EU member Turkey records lower overall prices. According to the Household Final Consumption Expenditure (HFCE) price level index, where the EU average is set at 100, Bulgaria has a score of 63. This means that the average consumer basket in the country costs around 37% less than the EU average. By comparison, Turkey records an index of 59.6, followed by Croatia with 78.4, Portugal with 86.6, Greece with 87.4, Spain with 91.6, Italy with 97.1, while France is slightly above the EU average with 100.3. Bulgaria’s strongest advantage comes in the category of restaurants and hotels, which is particularly important for tourists. While the average level across the EU is 100, Bulgaria’s index stands at 52, meaning that accommodation and dining expenses are approximately 48% lower than the European average. The difference is significant compared with traditional Mediterranean destinations. Portugal has a restaurants and hotels index of 73.6, Turkey 78.3, Spain 85.4, Greece 86.1, Croatia 89.6, Italy 110.8 and France 116. For travelers planning a holiday, the price gap can have a major impact on their budget. A package of hotel and restaurant services that costs around 100 euros on average in the European Union would amount to about 52 euros in Bulgaria. The same services would cost approximately 74 euros in Portugal, 85 euros in Spain, 86 euros in Greece, 90 euros in Croatia, 111 euros in Italy and 116 euros in France. Bulgaria also remains highly competitive when it comes to food prices. Food and non-alcoholic beverages are around 12% cheaper than the EU average, while in France they are nearly 8% more expensive than the European average. Among the countries included in the comparison, only Turkey offers lower prices in this category. The country is also among the EU members with the lowest prices for alcoholic beverages and tobacco products. In contrast, these goods are considerably more expensive in countries such as France, Greece and Croatia because of higher excise taxes. Turkey, despite its lower overall price level, records the highest prices for alcohol among the compared destinations, exceeding the European average by more than double. The data indicate that although Bulgarian prices have gradually moved closer to European levels in recent years, the country continues to maintain a strong advantage in tourism. For foreign visitors, Bulgaria remains one of Europe’s destinations offering the best balance between cost and experience, especially in terms of accommodation, restaurants and everyday expenses. The Eurostat methodology compares national average prices for more than 2,000 goods and services. The figures represent countrywide averages and do not necessarily reflect prices in individual resorts or specific tourist areas, where costs can vary significantly.