The cheapest prices for in the European Union family of nations were in Poland for food and consumer items and in Bulgaria for alcohol, restaurants and hotels last year.
Prices for clothing were lowest in Hungary while the Czech Republic offered the lowest cost for consumer electronics and cars.
Conversely, food purchases and restaurant dining cost the most in Denmark. The country was also the most costly place to buy a car or motor bike. Clothing costs were second only to those in Sweden.
Buying alcohol, however, cost the most in Ireland, followed by the UK and Finland due to the taxes each country levies.
Portugal took only one high spot, namely being the third most expensive place to buy personal transport, such as cars. Only Denmark and the Netherlands were most expensive.
Prices in Portugal were otherwise consistently below the EU average, with restaurants and hotels 25% below average while buying food was 11% lower, alcohol 15% lower and clothing 10% lower. Electronic goods, however, were but a scant 5% lower.
Overall, prices were 19% below the EU average, putting the country in 11th position from the bottom. That shifted to the fifth cheapest country when compared to other eurozone nations.
Neighbouring Spain came close to average prices, just 8% below. Struggling Greece (at least in 2004, who knows what is virtually just around the corner now) was more expensive than Portugal, being 14% below average.
Denmark was the most expensive of all, 138% more than average. The UK and Ireland were still expensive, with prices 122% and 121% above respectively.
