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The Daily Insight

How much does an average meal cost in Europe?

Author

Emily Wong

Updated on April 30, 2026

How much does an average meal cost in Europe?

Food: Food costs vary as wildly as accommodation costs. Cheap fast-food meals cost 9–15 euros, while restaurant meals cost around 15–25 euros. Nicer establishments will cost 30 euros or more.

How much does it cost to eat in Europe per day?

Overall, you should spend $40 to $50 per day. The rest of Western to Central Europe is relatively cheaper. France, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands and Belgium are all similarly priced in terms of food and drink, whereas Switzerland gets a bit more expensive (thanks to the Swiss Franc).

How much should I budget for food Europe?

A good budget would be between 40 – 70 Euros for food in a day if eating all your meals out (and how much you eat). You should also have some leftover for gelato. Drinking is a favourite past time for many of us, and for those coming from Australia, the good news is that alcohol is MUCH cheaper in Europe.

How much money do you need per day in Europe?

How Much Spending Money Do I Need Per Day? Virtually impossible to predict, we’d advise a figure roughly around €100 a day for spending money in Western Europe and about €40–60 a day for Eastern Europe.

Which country is cheapest in Europe?

Portugal. While more expensive than other countries on the list, Portugal is the cheapest country in Europe. At a monthly budget of about 1200 Euros, Portugal offers a warm climate, access to the ocean, and a high level of safety.

Is food cheaper in Europe?

It is cheaper in Europe than anywhere else, apart from the United States. Broadly, we in western Europe spend about half what we did, in terms of overall expenditure, on food compared with 30 years ago. The average is around 15% of all spending, compared with the 45% that’s the norm in a country like Pakistan or Egypt.

What is the cost of living in Europe?

Europe: Cost of Living Index by Country 2019

RankCountryCost of Living Index
1Switzerland121.16
2Iceland101.86
3Norway100.99
4Luxembourg86.09

Which is the most expensive country in Europe?

Here Are World’s 7 Most Expensive Countries To Live In

  • Switzerland. Perhaps, coming as no surprise, Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries to live in.
  • Bermuda.
  • Iceland.
  • Norway.
  • Luxembourg.
  • Denmark.
  • The Bahamas.

What is the cheapest English speaking country to live in?

India is hands down the cheapest English speaking country to live in, to travel, or to retire, and it claims to be the world’s second largest English speaking country.

How do food prices compare between the EU’s countries?

In 2020, the prices for food and non-alcoholic beverages in Denmark were 29% above the EU average, while in Romania they were 34% below the EU average. Non-alcoholic beverages were more expensive in Finland at 32% above the EU average and least expensive in Romania at 21% below.

Which are the most expensive countries in Europe for food?

Switzerland is the most expensive country for food, Norway for non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages and Ireland for tobacco within the group of 37 participating countries. Amongst the EU Member States, Denmark is the most expensive country for food, Finland for non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages and Ireland for tobacco.

How much does it cost to eat in Scandinavia?

Apart from certain areas of London and Paris, Scandinavia is the one place you’re sure to spend a pretty penny on food. In Norway, which is similarly priced to Sweden and Finland, the average beer is around $10, a meal at McDonald’s is about $11 and most other restaurant meals will range from $20 to $30.

How much does it cost to travel across Europe?

If you do this, you’re looking to have an average travel budget of about $30 per day. If you’re looking to be a little less basic but still eat some great food, Eastern Europe is the place to go. It also tends to be more affordable than Western Europe.