The cost of consumer goods and services in the EU were found to be highest in Denmark, followed by Sweden, Luxembourg, Finland, Ireland and the UK.
The UK has, therefore, the sixth highest prices in the EU 28.
Predictably, the lowest costs were in Romania and Bulgaria.
Spain was just below the EU average, with Greece just a bit less expensive. Portugal and Cyprus were next and on even pegging followed quickly by Malta which was just slightly less.
Countries with prices lower than Portugal’s and Malta’s were the eleven countries in the east.
Differences in prices for food, beverages and tobacco were less pronounced than for goods and services. The differences came from the taxes which countries imposed.
Nevertheless, food was cheapest in Poland and most costly in Denmark while the price of alcohol and tobacco was highest in Ireland and lowest in Bulgaria.
The price variation across countries of clothing was also not extremely wide, with Poland having the lowest prices and Sweden the most expensive.
Chose Bulgaria for the best value meal in a restaurant and skip Denmark where the cost is the greatest. For restaurants and hotels, the price variation across nations was significant.
In Portugal prices were highest and appreciably above average for cars. Consumer electronics prices cost the same as the EU average.
Clothing was close to average, just a bit below.
Food and beverages were below average while alcohol and tobacco prices were well below average.
Restaurants and hotels were significantly cheaper.
The UK’s charges for alcohol and tobacco were much higher than average while all other items were very close to average with the exception of clothing which was slightly lower.
