Greek families will pay up to 20% more for their Christmas feast this year in the sharpest increase across Europe, as rising food costs squeeze holiday budgets throughout the continent, according to a Euronews report.
Most European countries face higher festive meal expenses, with meat, eggs and chocolate driving prices upward, according to a Euronews survey of Christmas costs. France and Poland stand out as exceptions with small price drops.
The General Federation of Consumers in Greece found Christmas costs jumping 16-20% compared to 2024. A meal for four people now costs around €186 per person, up from €156 last year. The calculation excludes basic items like oil, lemons, eggs and electricity, which add at least €10 more.
Greek meat prices climbed 12-18% to €15-€17 per kilo, with forecasts suggesting they could reach €20. Lamb and goat rose 15-18% whilst pork increased 10-12%. Cheese prices went up 10-12% and olive oil surged 60% following reduced production.
Eurostat data showed food inflation reached 3.1% in November, outpacing general inflation of 2.5% in the same month.
Spanish consumers face a 5.1% increase in traditional Christmas foods, pushed higher by inflation and bird flu outbreaks. The average Christmas meal runs €44 per person. Beef jumped 18%, putting sirloin at €27 per kilo and ribeye at €55. Turkey sells for €9-€12 per kilo, with further increases expected.
Seafood shortages hit Spanish markets particularly hard. Fishmongers warned that fish selling for €40 per kilo today could reach €80-€90 by Christmas Eve. The Consumers and Users’ Association found Spaniards will spend an average of €800 on Christmas, €100 more than last year. Over half expect to overshoot their budgets, whilst those hosting New Year’s Eve parties face an extra €73 per person.
Portugal’s consumer protection association DECO calculated a basic Christmas basket at €54.35 in early December, marking a 2.8% rise from 2024. Large cod costs €16.71 per kilo against €12.84 last year. Turkey reached €5.70 per kilo from €4.33, and eggs topped €2 per pack versus €1.53 previously.
Chocolate posted Portugal’s steepest jump, hitting €4.07 per package from €1.86 last year. Olive oil bucked the trend with a 34.6% drop to €6.65 per 750ml from €10.17.
Italian consumer group Codacons estimated spending will reach €3.1 billion on Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas lunch, making celebrations 9% costlier than last year. Cocoa prices rose 21.1% year-on-year, coffee 18.8%, chocolate 9.3% and eggs 7.7%. Cheese and dairy went up 6.4% whilst meat increased 5.8%. Restaurant meals will account for €440 million of the spending.
Gold price surges pushed jewellery costs up 26.3%, sharply reducing the number of Italians giving jewellery as gifts. Total Italian Christmas spending hits €9.5 billion for gifts, €3.1 billion for holiday meals, €15 billion for travel and €440 million at restaurants.
French shoppers found some relief with the average Christmas basket costing €155.30, down €1.77 from 2024’s €157.07, according to ICI franceinfo. The 1.1% decrease marks the second consecutive year of falling costs, despite a 22% jump in chocolate box prices. Over three years, however, the basket still costs €10.39 or 12% more.
Foie gras dropped 8.7% to €17.91 per 180-gram jar, though it remains 2% higher than three years ago. Turkey barely moved, up just 0.2% this year, but has climbed 15% over three years.
German shoppers showed financial caution, with a Shopfully and YouGov survey finding over half plan to spend no more than €200 on gifts, meals and decorations combined. Twenty-seven per cent will spend under €100, 23% between €100-€200, and just 7% over €600. Only 5% want to cut Christmas dinner spending, suggesting it remains a protected tradition.
The German Economic Institute calculated potato salad with sausages for four people at €7.52-€7.81 last year, with higher costs expected this year. Christmas goose runs €18-€22 per kilo.
Poland delivered Europe’s biggest relief with a 1% decrease. The Polish Bankers Association’s “Christmas Wallet of Poles” report put a family basket at PLN 3,655.30 (€862), down from PLN 3,804.90 (€901) in 2024. The report covers celebrations running from Christmas Eve through 26 December evening.
Lower fuel prices and reduced preparation costs drove the Polish decrease. Clothes and hairdressing dropped to PLN 1,147 (€271) from PLN 1,295, whilst fuel fell to PLN 348 (€82) from PLN 394. Carp, a Christmas tradition, costs PLN 117 (€27.7) per 2kg versus PLN 140 (€33.17) last year. Butter, eggs and bread held steady.
Meat and sausages moved the other direction in Poland, rising to PLN 1,050 (€248) from PLN 1,003 (€237) in 2024.
Hungarian authorities imposed price caps on basic Christmas products including milk, flour, potatoes and chicken breast as food inflation reached 3.2% in November. Ingredients for four traditional Hungarian dishes cost €78.19.
Turkish families face a €153.14 bill for a four-person holiday table, or €38.29 per person, a significant burden given average monthly salaries under €700. Turkey costs nearly €7 per kilo, lamb chops €15 and sausages €14.94 per kilo. Baklava, the traditional dessert, sells for €19.92 per kilo.