Beach Town Issues Dress Code For Tourists With Heavy Fines
Authorities in the French beach town of Les Sables d'Olonne, located in the Vendée region on France's Atlantic coast, have announced fines of up to 150 euros ($175) for anyone found to be walking around topless or in their swimsuits anywhere other than on the beach.
The town's mayor, Yannick Moreau, announced the new dress code in a post on Facebook last month, calling out what he described as "indecent behavior."
"This is indecent behavior that has a vicious tendency to develop summer after summer," he wrote in his post on Facebook. "So it's time to remind it clearly: it's forbidden to walk around naked or in a swimsuit at Sables d'Olonne."
"A little outfit, please!" he added.
In his social media post, Moreau shared an image of a poster announcing the fine, alongside the tagline 'In Les Sables d'Olonne, respect doesn't go on holiday.'
Moreau explained that the fines are out of respect for the residents as well as to promote good hygiene in public spaces.
"It's a matter of respect for the Sablais people who don't want us to walk around half-naked at home," Moreau wrote in his post. "It's also a basic public hygiene rule in our markets, our shops, our streets."
"We stick to our life frame and I asked our Municipal Police Officers to enforce this rule," he added.
Moreau reminded everyone that they are still free to wear their swimsuits on the beach.
"To flatter your chest and your most beautiful swimsuit at the Sables d'Olonne: 11 km of beaches are at your disposal," he wrote. "Enjoy it, in compliance with the rules and traditions of our resort."
So next time you find yourself on the coast of France, be sure to check to make sure your attire is appropriate.
Beach Town Issues Dress Code For Tourists With Heavy Fines first appeared on Men's Journal on Aug 6, 2025
Solve the daily Crossword
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
2 hours ago
- Forbes
These Countries Are Introducing Huge New Tourist Fines Across Europe
With the European summer in full swing and tourist hotspots swelling, many countries are this year fighting back against the scourge of bad tourist behavior. The question that this begs, however, is what exactly constitutes bad behavior? That depends on the country you visit, many of which have introduced fines for seemingly innocuous things that many would never consider bad behavior. Authorities say the rules are aimed at protecting both residents and respectful vacationers. Fancy a drink? If it's alcoholic and you're in Amsterdam, or a raft of other European places, you'll need to go inside. getty 'The rules, while they might sound rigid and punitive when listed out, are all about encouraging responsible and empathetic traveling,' Jessica Harvey Taylor, Head of Press at the Spanish Tourism Office told the BBC. 'They are designed to protect the holiday experiences of the vast majority of people who behave responsibly on holiday.' Many regions that struggle under the volume of tourist numbers yet are dependent on them for survival have created code of conduct campaigns to inform and warn visitors before and during their stay. You may have already seen them on social media and many are now hard to miss once you're there—billboards, posters, the sides of buses and leaflets are all being used to spread awareness. Malaga on Spain's southern coast has launched an Improve Your Stay campaign urging visitors to respect the area, dispose of litter correctly, be fully dressed, keep the noise down and ride bikes and e-scooters responsibly. Don't follow the rules and you can expect a fine of up to €750; around $880. 'Tourism,' noted Juan Antonio Amengual, mayor of Calvià in Mallorca, 'cannot be a burden on citizens.' The beautiful Algarve city of Albufeira has introduced a new campaign encouraging visitors to respect place and people. getty Albufeira in Portugal's Algarve region has launched a similar Stop, Respect, Relax campaign with a vast array of offences and fines, from abandoning shopping carts in the wrong place to spitting, urinating or performing sexual acts or simulations in public. Fines range from €150 to €1,800; around $175 to $2,100. Alongside these rules, more cameras and an increased police presence—especially around nightlife hotspots where drunkenness is a huge root problem—are being used to show authorities mean business. European tourist fines and how to avoid them Fines are far reaching and inconsistent, both in terms of where they're implemented and what you can get fined for. Here's the breakdown. Fines while flying If you're flying in Europe, airlines are clamping down on what they consider unacceptable or antisocial behavior. Budget giant Ryanair (a litmus test for passenger trouble) has this summer introduced a €500 ($585) disruptive passenger fine in an attempt to 'help ensure that our passengers and crew travel in a comfortable and stress-free environment, without unnecessary disruption caused by a tiny number of unruly passengers.' Flying into Turkey could cost you more than you think if you don't adhere to new rules. getty Disruptive may mean something altogether different on a flight to Turkey. This year the Turkish civil aviation authority introduced 'administrative fines' of around $70 for passengers who unbuckle seatbelts, stand up or get out of their seat before the seatbelt sign has been switched off after landing at any Turkish airport. Onboard announcements inform passengers of the rules and consequences for breaking them, so it's worth actually paying attention to the tannoy messages if you're Turkey bound. If not, you could be out of pocket before you've even started your vacation. Fines while driving If you're renting a car in France, Spain, Portugal, Italy or Greece, make sure you're wearing proper footwear. From this year, if you're caught driving barefoot, or in flip flops or sandals, expect to pay fines of up to €300 (around $350.) Driving in flip flops could now cost you a €300 fine in several European countries. getty Naturally, levels, fines and consequences for speeding or driving while intoxicated vary from country to country, so make sure you're aware of the specific rules and pay attention to crossing borders by road, many of which are barely signposted across the European mainland. Fines for inappropriate dress One of the mostly commonly cited complaints from tourist areas around the world is visitors dressing disrespectfully or inappropriately. While many are used to covering up at historic monuments and in places of worship, new fines for wearing swimwear away from the beach are becoming increasingly common. Find yourself in bikini or boardies wandering city streets in Albufeira, Barcelona, Cannes, Sorrento, Split or Venice and you could be staring down the face of a €1,500 ($1,750) fine. Leaving the beach without covering up will now land you with a big fine in many major European cities. getty It doesn't stop at the beach though. If you're hiking the glorious trails of Cinque Terre Park in Italy wearing open-toe sandals or shoes with non-slip soles, officials on the trails may issue you a fine of up to €2,500 (more than $1,900.) Fines for public drinking and smoking Drinking alcohol in the wrong place can now land you not only in hot water with the authorities but also with a fine. Public drinking in the Canary Islands, Magaluf, and the Balearic Islands of Ibiza and Mallorca can now incur fines of up to €3,000 (around $3,500.) Smoking in many places is now equally frowned upon. Light up in a public place children may frequent (from beaches to parks, bus stops to sport centers) in France and you'll be subject to an on-the-spot €90 ($105) fine. While fines for smoking outside do already exist in certain places across Italy and Spain (Barcelona beach, for example), France is the first European country to implement a nationwide ban. A crackdown on all bad tourist behavior Many of these fines feel appropriate, if expensive, and are clearly priced primarily as a deterrent to bad behavior rather than as a punitive income. Some may catch you by surprise though. Find yourself on the famed white-pebble Lararia Beach on the Aegean Island of Skiathos and you may be tempted to take just one pebble home as a souvenir of your stay. Every pebble on Lalaria Beach could cost you a thousand euros. Best to just take photos instead. getty Heads up—that will cost you €1,000 in fines. So scared are the authorities of their beach being depleted that they've erected 'Lalaria Beach pebble return boxes' at airports, where potential pebble smugglers are also subject to suitcase searches. In Venice, if you sit on the ground or steps to eat or drink, you'll be banned from the area and fined up to €200 ($235.) Take a dip in its famed canals and that fine increases to €350 ($410.) Perhaps most surprising of all, beaches in the likes of Barcelona and the Costa Blanca have introduced a 'sunbed tax' in an effort to stop early morning stampedes to claim the best spot. Reserve too early, or leave your towel on one unattended for too long and you could end up with a €250 ($290) fine. These fines are just the latest efforts in a war against overtourism that has been raging for years. City tourist taxes are now commonplace in the most popular destinations, and many are going a step further by limiting the number of visitors allowed and banning certain types of holiday rentals. Anti-tourism sentiment is a part of everyday life in many tourists hotspots, but few more than Barcelona. NurPhoto via Getty Images Authorities are finally waking up to the impact not just overtourism but also unruly tourists is having on the lives of its residents. These fines are simply the latest measure in that push towards local-visitor equanimity, but whether they will work or not is yet to be seen. While it always pays to be respectful and polite when traveling, knowing the specific rules and regulations for each place you visit could now save you even more.
.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Vogue
5 hours ago
- Vogue
The Best Travel Pillows for Sound Sleep (and Spinal Alignment) at 30,000 Feet
For anyone who travels frequently—or has arrived at any destination with a neck crick and a creased face—the best travel pillows are a non-negotiable accessory. Take it from (very) frequent flier LaDell Carter, founder of luxury travel agency Royal Expression Travels. Passionate about in-flight wellness, Carter says that her rituals for 'maintaining peak performance at 30,000 feet' include Ayurvedic oils, 111Skin eye patches, and—always—a travel pillow. 'As someone who spends her life in the air, I can say with certainty that the right travel pillow can make or break a trip,' she says. 'It's the difference between arriving ready for a champagne lunch meeting in Paris or stumbling off the plane looking for the nearest bed.' Medical pros also endorse the plushy travel gear. 'A good travel pillow can save your neck, literally,' says board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon Dr. Hooman Melemed. 'I've actually seen patients come see me after a flight who've suffered pinched nerves from sleeping the wrong way—it can happen!' No one, of course, would want that, whether they're landing in Pittsburgh or Paris. To help stave off everything from poor sleep to pinched nerves, we've rounded up the best travel pillows below. These picks meet experts' standards for comfort, head-and-neck alignment, portability, and more. Safe travels! Best Travel Pillow for Beauty Rest: Slip Jet Setter Travel Pillow Slip Jet Setter travel pillow $135 AMAZON Why We Love It: Vogue editors have been known to stash Slip's silky hair ties at their desks and take them on runs. For home, the brand's pillows and sleep masks, famous for supporting beauty rest, are also editor-approved. When you're on the road, there's Slip's Jet Setter Travel Pillow: Swathed in 100% mulberry silk, the pillow makes it possible to hop off a crowded red-eye flight with dewy skin and soft, shiny hair. The secret is in the silk, which glides across the skin and hair instead of pressing into it, keeping creases, wrinkles, and breakage at bay. It's designed for convenience at every step—the lightweight pillow comes with a TPU carry-on case for easy portability. Vogue editors have been known to stash Slip's silky hair ties at their desks and take them on runs. For home, the brand's pillows and sleep masks, famous for supporting beauty rest, are also editor-approved. When you're on the road, there's Slip's Jet Setter Travel Pillow: Swathed in 100% mulberry silk, the pillow makes it possible to hop off a crowded red-eye flight with dewy skin and soft, shiny hair. The secret is in the silk, which glides across the skin and hair instead of pressing into it, keeping creases, wrinkles, and breakage at bay. It's designed for convenience at every step—the lightweight pillow comes with a TPU carry-on case for easy portability. Fabric: Mulberry silk Mulberry silk Fill Material: Cotton Cotton Colors: 3 3 Size: 9.8 inches (length) x 4.9 inches (width) 9.8 inches (length) x 4.9 inches (width) Care Instructions: Machine wash pillowcase; spot-clean pillow Best Travel Pillow for Neck Support: Ostrichpillow Go Memory Foam Travel Pillow Ostrichpillow Go memory foam travel pillow $69 NORDSTROM Why We Love It: Ostrichpillow's design adjusts to the contours of the spine to prevent your head from tilting or nodding mid-catnap. It also has an adjustable, hook-and-loop closure for a customizable fit, and comes with a travel pouch. 'This has a minimalist design that looks more like a chic accessory than a clunky U-shape,' Carter says. 'It compresses into its own bag, has a washable sleeve and breathable fabric, and a BASF memory-foam core that adapts to your neck.' She adds that the adjustable enclosure ensures a perfect fit, even for petite necks. Ostrichpillow's design adjusts to the contours of the spine to prevent your head from tilting or nodding mid-catnap. It also has an adjustable, hook-and-loop closure for a customizable fit, and comes with a travel pouch. 'This has a minimalist design that looks more like a chic accessory than a clunky U-shape,' Carter says. 'It compresses into its own bag, has a washable sleeve and breathable fabric, and a BASF memory-foam core that adapts to your neck.' She adds that the adjustable enclosure ensures a perfect fit, even for petite necks. Fabric: Spandex Spandex Fill Material: Memory foam Memory foam Colors: 6 6 Size: 27 inches (length) x 6.5 inches (widest width) 27 inches (length) x 6.5 inches (widest width) Care Instructions: Machine wash removable pillowcase Best Bon Voyage Gift: Gingerlilly Mulberry Silk Memory Foam Travel Pillow Gingerlily mulberry silk travel pillow $88 HARRODS Why We Love It: Jaunty green and white stripes rendered in buttery silk make Gingerlilly's pillow stylish enough to gift. But it's not all form over function: Filled with memory foam for a plushy feel, the pillow has a press-stud fastening to keep it secure. The mulberry silk also has its inherent perks. Not only does the fabric keep the skin and hair smooth, but it's also hypoallergenic and helps with temperature regulation. Jaunty green and white stripes rendered in buttery silk make Gingerlilly's pillow stylish enough to gift. But it's not all form over function: Filled with memory foam for a plushy feel, the pillow has a press-stud fastening to keep it secure. The mulberry silk also has its inherent perks. Not only does the fabric keep the skin and hair smooth, but it's also hypoallergenic and helps with temperature regulation. Fabric: Mulberry silk Mulberry silk Fill Material: Memory foam Memory foam Colors: 1 1 Size: 30 cm (height) x 30 cm (width) x 9 cm (depth) 30 cm (height) x 30 cm (width) x 9 cm (depth) Care Instructions: Hand wash Best Travel Pillow for Winter Travel: Buffy Nook Pillow Why We Love It: This fuzziest, coziest of pillows deserves space in your carry-on for wintertime trips (or for layovers in overly air-conditioned spots.) With a recycled sherpa cover that feels like a warming snuggle on the neck, the pillow has eco-friendliness in its DNA. Its recycled PET fill is GRS-certified and BPA-free—and according to the brand, each pillow uses up approximately 25 recycled bottles. Buffy's travel pillow comes in three earthy hues, each created with water-saving dyes. This fuzziest, coziest of pillows deserves space in your carry-on for wintertime trips (or for layovers in overly air-conditioned spots.) With a recycled sherpa cover that feels like a warming snuggle on the neck, the pillow has eco-friendliness in its DNA. Its recycled PET fill is GRS-certified and BPA-free—and according to the brand, each pillow uses up approximately 25 recycled bottles. Buffy's travel pillow comes in three earthy hues, each created with water-saving dyes. Fabric: Sherpa Sherpa Fill Material: Sateen-weave TENCEL lyocell shell, GRS-certified, BPA-free recycled PET fill Sateen-weave TENCEL lyocell shell, GRS-certified, BPA-free recycled PET fill Colors: 3 3 Size: 20.5 inches x 18 inches x 6 inches 20.5 inches x 18 inches x 6 inches Care Instructions: Cover: machine wash cold, lay flat to dry; Insert: dry clean only Best Travel Pillow for Long-Haul Flights: Cabeau Evolution S3 Travel Pillow Cabeau Evolution S3 travel pillow $40 AMAZON Why We Love It: In for the long haul? Buckle up (literally) with Cabeau's precisely engineered travel pillow. Designed with the brand's Strap Seat System, the pillow has a seat strap to prevent head drop and keep the airways unrestricted. It also includes an adjustable clasp for a customized fit—plus a memory-foam fill that contours to the neck. For yet another convenient plus, the product has a built-in storage compartment to hold earbuds and other teeny travel essentials that are otherwise easy to lose. 'What sets this apart from every other travel neck pillow is that set of straps that loop around the back of an airplane or car seat. This lets you attach it securely, preventing your head from flopping forward or bobbing from side to side while you catch some sleep in the upright position,' says Dr. Leah Kaylor, a licensed clinical and prescribing psychologist and sleep expert. 'This is a lifesaver on long flights! It also has a drawstring in front to keep your neck from falling out of the pillow. It's worth its weight in gold in my opinion.' In for the long haul? Buckle up (literally) with Cabeau's precisely engineered travel pillow. Designed with the brand's Strap Seat System, the pillow has a seat strap to prevent head drop and keep the airways unrestricted. It also includes an adjustable clasp for a customized fit—plus a memory-foam fill that contours to the neck. For yet another convenient plus, the product has a built-in storage compartment to hold earbuds and other teeny travel essentials that are otherwise easy to lose. 'What sets this apart from every other travel neck pillow is that set of straps that loop around the back of an airplane or car seat. This lets you attach it securely, preventing your head from flopping forward or bobbing from side to side while you catch some sleep in the upright position,' says Dr. Leah Kaylor, a licensed clinical and prescribing psychologist and sleep expert. 'This is a lifesaver on long flights! It also has a drawstring in front to keep your neck from falling out of the pillow. It's worth its weight in gold in my opinion.' Fabric: Memory foam polyester Memory foam polyester Fill Material: Memory foam Memory foam Colors: 4 4 Size: 9.5 inches (length) x 10 inches (width) 9.5 inches (length) x 10 inches (width) Care Instructions: Removable, machine-washable cover Best Affordable Travel Pillow: Napfun Travel Pillow Why We Love It: Friendly on the budget—and the neck—Napfun's versatile pillow comes with a carry case and an adjustable string closure. Designed to accommodate any type of sleeper (in any type of liminal setting), the pillow has head support for those prone to nodding, raised edges for side sleepers, and a thickened back to cradle the neck of back sleepers. What's more, its machine-washable cover is made with a breathable, polyester-spandex hybrid that's soft and gentle on the skin. 'This one is great because it's not too pricey and it's a memory-foam option that provides chin and neck support to keep your neck aligned,' Dr. Melemed says. 'It's also easy to travel with because it's lightweight.' Friendly on the budget—and the neck—Napfun's versatile pillow comes with a carry case and an adjustable string closure. Designed to accommodate any type of sleeper (in any type of liminal setting), the pillow has head support for those prone to nodding, raised edges for side sleepers, and a thickened back to cradle the neck of back sleepers. What's more, its machine-washable cover is made with a breathable, polyester-spandex hybrid that's soft and gentle on the skin. 'This one is great because it's not too pricey and it's a memory-foam option that provides chin and neck support to keep your neck aligned,' Dr. Melemed says. 'It's also easy to travel with because it's lightweight.' Fabric: Polyester and spandex Polyester and spandex Fill Material: Memory foam Memory foam Colors: 15 15 Size: 10 inches x 10 inches 4 inches 10 inches x 10 inches 4 inches Care Instructions: Machine wash removable cover Best Compact Travel Pillow: Trtl Travel Pillow Why We Love It: Trtl's nontraditional pillow has a patented internal support system, made of hard plastic, that's wrapped in a cozy swath of hypoallergenic fleece. Lighter than an iPhone, the pillow wraps around the neck like a scarf with adjustable tightness and holds the spine in an ergonomic position to prevent strain. It's packable and easy to carry; but if you want to go hands-free, the pillow comes with a carry-on bag. Trtl's nontraditional pillow has a patented internal support system, made of hard plastic, that's wrapped in a cozy swath of hypoallergenic fleece. Lighter than an iPhone, the pillow wraps around the neck like a scarf with adjustable tightness and holds the spine in an ergonomic position to prevent strain. It's packable and easy to carry; but if you want to go hands-free, the pillow comes with a carry-on bag. Fabric: Hypoallergenic fleece Hypoallergenic fleece Fill Material: Patented, hard plastic internal support Patented, hard plastic internal support Colors: 4 4 Size: 8.7 inches x 9.5 inches x 3.6 inches 8.7 inches x 9.5 inches x 3.6 inches Care Instructions: Machine wash removable cover cold Best Travel Pillow for Road Trips: Lunya Mulberry Washable Silk Travel Pillow Why We Love It: Lunya's silky travel pillow supports beauty sleep in any kind of vehicle. With straps that fasten onto headrests in cars or planes, the versatile pillow is made with skin-and-hair-loving fabric and filled with cushy, recycled polyester. (It also comes with additional filling you can tweak to your preference, lest your travels call for a firmer nap.) The pillowcase zips up for easy removal and filler insertion, and—in case you can't tell from the name—it's easy to wash, by hand or machine. 'This is part of a full travel set we often gift to clients,' Carter says. 'The silk is gentle on skin and hair, the cover is machine-washable, and paired with the PJ set and silk eye mask, it turns any flight into a personal wellness retreat. It's as functional as it is indulgent.' Lunya's silky travel pillow supports beauty sleep in any kind of vehicle. With straps that fasten onto headrests in cars or planes, the versatile pillow is made with skin-and-hair-loving fabric and filled with cushy, recycled polyester. (It also comes with additional filling you can tweak to your preference, lest your travels call for a firmer nap.) The pillowcase zips up for easy removal and filler insertion, and—in case you can't tell from the name—it's easy to wash, by hand or machine. 'This is part of a full travel set we often gift to clients,' Carter says. 'The silk is gentle on skin and hair, the cover is machine-washable, and paired with the PJ set and silk eye mask, it turns any flight into a personal wellness retreat. It's as functional as it is indulgent.' Fabric: Washable mulberry silk Washable mulberry silk Fill Material: Recycled polyester Recycled polyester Colors: 2 2 Size: 17 inches x 11 inches x 5 inches 17 inches x 11 inches x 5 inches Care Instructions: Handwash or machine-wash the removable pillow cover, lay flat to dry Best Luxe Travel Pillow: Zegna Navy Blue Oasi Cashmere Travel Set Zegna Oasi cashmere travel set $1,060 ZEGNA Why We Love It: Complete with cashmere socks, a cashmere travel pillow, and a sleeping mask in the same sumptuous fabric, Zegna's set wraps you in a cloud of soft luxury… even in less-than-luxe settings, like a middle seat or a plane stranded on the tarmac. This alone makes the giftable set worth the splurge, and the appeal of its contents doesn't end after the flight. Even at home, a night of sleep with a cashmere mask is bound to make dreams silkier and sweeter. 'Zegna is a personal and family favorite—my son loves the brand as much as I do,' says Carter. 'The craftsmanship, texture, and even the packaging are exquisite. Cashmere is an entire mood in the air. The only caveat is that it requires special care when cleaning, so travelers should keep that in mind.' Complete with cashmere socks, a cashmere travel pillow, and a sleeping mask in the same sumptuous fabric, Zegna's set wraps you in a cloud of soft luxury… even in less-than-luxe settings, like a middle seat or a plane stranded on the tarmac. This alone makes the giftable set worth the splurge, and the appeal of its contents doesn't end after the flight. Even at home, a night of sleep with a cashmere mask is bound to make dreams silkier and sweeter. 'Zegna is a personal and family favorite—my son loves the brand as much as I do,' says Carter. 'The craftsmanship, texture, and even the packaging are exquisite. Cashmere is an entire mood in the air. The only caveat is that it requires special care when cleaning, so travelers should keep that in mind.' Fabric: 100% cashmere with calf-leather details 100% cashmere with calf-leather details Colors: 2 2 Size: Not disclosed Not disclosed Care Instructions: Do not wash or dry-clean, use any solvent except tetrachloroethylene; do not tumble dry, dry flat Best Customizable Travel Pillow: Infinity Pillow Why We Love It: Shaped like a Möbius strip, the Infinity Pillow has an octopus-like ability to shapeshift based on its environment. Whether you need neck and lumbar support in an aisle, middle, or window seat, the customizable pillow can twist to accommodate your go-to sleeping position. It can also be used as an eye mask, or (in the case of loud seatmates) as a noise-muffling pillow. (Just wrap it around your ears, and voila.) Available in 10 peppy hues, including bubblegum pink and robin's egg blue, the pillow's bamboo fabric is breathable, soft, and temperature-regulating. Shaped like a Möbius strip, the Infinity Pillow has an octopus-like ability to shapeshift based on its environment. Whether you need neck and lumbar support in an aisle, middle, or window seat, the customizable pillow can twist to accommodate your go-to sleeping position. It can also be used as an eye mask, or (in the case of loud seatmates) as a noise-muffling pillow. (Just wrap it around your ears, and voila.) Available in 10 peppy hues, including bubblegum pink and robin's egg blue, the pillow's bamboo fabric is breathable, soft, and temperature-regulating. Fabric: Bamboo Bamboo Fill Material: Polyester Polyester Colors: 10 10 Size: 33.5 inches x 6 inches unfolded; 7.5 inches x 7.5 inches x 6 inches folded 33.5 inches x 6 inches unfolded; 7.5 inches x 7.5 inches x 6 inches folded Care Instructions: Machine wash in a low temperature in a mesh laundry bag; do not tumble dry Everything You Need to Know:
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
No holiday for 42 million EU workers: Where is holiday the most unaffordable in Europe?
In 2023, 15% of employed people in the EU were unable to afford a one-week holiday away from home. While this percentage might not appear very high at first glance, it represents around 42 million workers. In each of the EU's "Big Four" economies (Germany, France, Spain and Italy), over 5 million workers were unable to afford a week-long holiday according to Eurostat data published by the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC). 'Taking a break with family or friends is important for our physical and mental health, and it is a basic part of the European social contract,' said ETUC General Secretary Esther Lynch, criticising the situation. Holiday poverty among workers continues to rise Holiday poverty among workers is on the rise across the EU, marking the third consecutive annual increase. In 2022, 40.5 million employed people reported being unable to afford a one-week holiday away from home. That number rose to 41.5 million in 2023—an increase of over one million workers in just a year. The share of affected workers grew from 14% to 15%. 'The findings are the result of an increasingly unequal economy, in which workers are forced to give up their holidays due to rising costs for accommodation, transport and food, combined with declining purchasing power and speculation', the ETUC stated. Related The cost of love: Europe's most expensive and cheapest cities for a date Cost of living: Which are the cheapest and most expensive countries in Europe? East-West gap in holiday affordability for workers The data reveals a strong disparity in holiday affordability across the EU, particularly between Eastern/Southern Europe and Western/Northern Europe. Romania tops the list, with 32% of workers unable to afford a one-week holiday. Close behind are Hungary (26%), Bulgaria (24%), Portugal and Cyprus (both 23%), and Slovakia (22%). The Nordic countries—Finland, Sweden and Denmark—along with the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Slovenia, report the lowest levels of holiday poverty, ranging between 5% and 7%. Czechia, Austria, and Belgium reported holiday poverty rates at or below 10%. Despite their economic weight, even the EU's largest economies report concerning levels of holiday poverty. Among the EU's Big Four, Spain (18%) and Italy (17%) exceed the EU average of 15%. France (12%) and Germany (11%) fall below the average, but both still remain above 10%. EU's Big Four: Over 5 million workers in each country can't afford a holiday Absolute figures speak louder than percentages. Over 5 million workers in each of the EU's Big Four were unable to afford a holiday in 2023. In Italy, the number stood at 6.2 million, followed by 5.8 million in Germany, 5.6 million in Spain, and 5.1 million in France. Over 3.5 million workers in Romania and Poland also couldn't afford a holiday. This figure was more than 1.5 million in Hungary and Portugal. In Austria and the Netherlands, over 550,000 workers couldn't afford even a one-week holiday despite being employed or having a business. 'After working hard all year, it is the least working people should be able to expect to afford and should not be allowed to become a luxury for the few,' Lynch said. 'However, these figures show that Europe has a quality jobs emergency and that our social contract is continuing to crumble as the result of growing economic inequality.' Related China rare earth exports to the US surge 660% after trade agreement The Big Question: Do companies need to re-evaluate how they set climate goals? Is holiday poverty linked to income? There is a moderately strong negative correlation between the share of workers who cannot afford a one-week holiday away from home and annual net earnings. This means that as net earnings increase, the proportion of workers unable to afford such a holiday tends to decrease. However, since the correlation is moderate, it also indicates that in some countries, this relationship is not strong or does not follow the overall trend as closely. For example, Ireland (€43,897) had one of the highest annual net earnings in the EU in 2023, yet holiday poverty remains comparatively high. In contrast, Slovenia has a low level of holiday poverty among workers, even though the incomes are similar to countries where more people struggle to afford a holiday. Related Win for the crypto industry: US passed the first major bill to regulate digital assets Strong correlation between workers and general population By comparing workers (aged 15-64) and the general population aged 16 and over, Euronews Business found a strong correlation: the higher the rate of workers who cannot afford a holiday, the higher it tends to be in the overall population. In 2023, among the general population, the share of people unable to afford a one-week holiday ranged from 11% in Luxembourg to 60% in Romania, while the EU average stood at 29%. This suggests that the rate among the general population is nearly double that of workers. Experts speaking to Euronews Business had noted that differences between countries are largely tied to the strength of their economies. The level of disposable income plays a key role, as it directly affects people's ability to spend on holidays—particularly when looking at figures for the general population. The ETUC calls on national governments to fully implement the Minimum Wage Directive and urges the European Commission to ensure that the Quality Job Package due this year includes legislation to rebalance the economy—making respect for collective bargaining a condition for access to public contracts. Solve the daily Crossword
