Spain, the kingdom of low cost in Europe. Apparel and footwear are, in average, 8% cheaper in the country than the average in Europe, according to the last data published by European statistics agency Eurostat. In fact, to buy apparel and footwear in the Spanish market is cheaper than in 27 of the thirty countries analyzed in 2018.
Only Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria registered cheaper apparel than the Spanish market, according to the last available data. United Kingdom, that was in the same position as Spain in 2017, has prices 7.3% below average.
The difference is particularly noticeable in garments, with prices 9.4% lower in Spain than in the rest of the continent. However, footwear, a sector that in Spain holds a deep tradition, is reduced up to 3.2%.
In fact, despite the boom of the sneakers sector, the footwear tradition market in the county and the fact that some low-cost footwear chains are less stablished than in other Central Europe countries, may be some of the factors why Spain remains on the lead compared to markets like Germany in this category.
Fashion isn’t the sector in which Spain is cheaper compared to the European average. In fact, the differences are even bigger in transportation (20% cheaper), alcoholic beverages and tobacco (15 cheaper), restaurants and hotels (14% cheaper) and transport equipment (12% cheaper). Spain is only more expensive only in two categories: communication, 40.2% more and furniture, 4.7% more.
Was Spain always the low-cost territory of Europe?
The Kingdom of Inditex (that operates with cheaper prices in Spain and Portugal than internationally), and the strong presence of operators like Decathlon or Primark forced down prices of the sector in the Spanish market.
But Spain was not always the king of low cost in Europe. In fact, in 2003 and 2004, the two first years with available data, the prices of the sector in the country were above average in Europe, but since 2005, have lowered more and more every time.
This change of tendency matches the arrival of Primark in Spain, that happened in 2006. The difference with the community average reached its higher number during the crisis, 2012 and 2013, when buying clothes in Spain was 11.7% cheaper than in the rest of the continent.
Capitals of expensive fashion
On the other hand, away from Spanish prices, are the Nordic countries, with Iceland on the lead, where buying clothe is 50% more expensive that the average. Followed by Denmark, 39% more expensive, Norway with 31% and Sweden with 26%.
The big markets of the continent, on the other hand, are quite close to the European average.The most expensive is France, with prices 9.9% higher, while in United Kingdom are 7.3% lower. Italy and Germany, on the other hand, are practically on the average, with 1.1% more and 0.9% cheaper respectively.
FAQs
The country is the fourth with the lowest prices for fashion, only after Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria. Spain, the kingdom of low cost in Europe. Apparel and footwear are, in average, 8% cheaper in the country than the average in Europe, according to the last data published by European statistics agency Eurostat.
How cheap are clothes in Spain? ›
As defined by Eurostat data, the price of clothing in Spain is below most European countries. In fact, fashion in Spain is around 8% cheaper that the EU average. However, it depends on the type of clothes we are buying, and it is worth noting that Spanish footwear is not as cheap as its fashion.
Are clothes less expensive in Europe? ›
If you are not American
If you're from South or Central America or even Asia, you're in luck. Even though prices in Europe may be slightly higher than in the US, they're still significantly lower than what you'd find back home.
Is Spain a cheap country to live in? ›
Yes, it is cheap to live in Spain compared to other European countries – particularly if you choose cities such as Santa Cruz de Tenerife or Granada. The average cost of living in these cities is around €900-€1000 per month which is quite cheap for Spain (and Europe overall).
Is shopping cheaper in Spain than UK? ›
Overall, the cost of living in Spain vs UK is lower in almost every aspect. Each food shop, petrol fill-up and utility bill will on average cost less than in the UK. But it is the price of renting or buying property which is the largest contribution to Spain living costs being 21% lower than the UK.
Why is Spain so much cheaper? ›
Having a lower average salary, combined with an unemployment rate higher than the rest of Europe, makes it clearer why the current price levels are relatively low. So, in that sense, as a foreigner, you will find that Spain is pretty affordable. You can enjoy a decent lifestyle at a low cost.
Is Spain cheap compared to us? ›
Cost of living in Spain vs the USA
This is especially true if you're planning to work remotely and earn in USD. On average, the cost of living in Spain is 123% cheaper than in the USA. The biggest differences in cost are in rent, utilities, groceries, daycare, and health insurance.
Which country has cheapest clothes in the world? ›
Vietnam. Vietnam is one of the world's cheapest shopping destinations and offers quite possibly the best bargain-seeking adventure you could ever hope for. You can find anything and everything in Vietnam; you just need to search for it. Travelers on a tight budget especially love Vietnam.
How much are clothes in Spain? ›
On average, the Inditex brands will cost you 25-30% less in Spain than they will in the US. This means that a $100 dress from Zara in the US could cost only $72.30 in Spain. Looking at the women's clothing assortment across brands, the average original price for Zara US is $42 vs. $30 in Spain.
Which country in Europe is cheapest to buy designer? ›
Luxury goods are often the lowest priced in the UK, German and France, so we can totally see why! Plus, with 90% of luxury goods manufactured in Europe (usually France or Italy), the items aren't shipped to faraway destinations, hence the lower costs.
Cost of Living in Spain. As we've mentioned above, Spain tends to be less expensive than other European countries. You can live comfortably in Spain for about $2,000-2,200 a month somewhere in a big city. If you live somewhere outside the big cities, you can retire at approximately $1,700-1,900 a month.
Can you live comfortably in Spain? ›
Approximate Monthly Budget
You should be able to enjoy a comfortable life if the two of you earn around €2,000 or $2,400 per month. If you live alone, make $20,000 per year and don't need to pay rent or mortgage, it should be pretty much enough. You'll be able to dine out and have fun with this income.
What salary do you need to live in Spain? ›
How Much Does It Cost to Live in Spain? Well, expats who move to Spain will see that you need between €2,000-2,200 a month to live comfortably in a big city. However, in a smaller city, you will need a more modest €1,700-1,900 a month.
Is it cheaper to buy luxury in Spain? ›
Items in Europe are already significantly cheaper to purchase than in the U.S., and you can also get a percentage of your money back from the taxes you paid. Let's break it down. The Louis Vuitton bag that I purchased in Spain was $740 cheaper than the U.S. price.
Do you have to spend $100 a day in Spain? ›
“Foreigners who intend to enter the national territory must continue to prove that they have a minimum amount of €100 per person per day, those that intend to stay in Spain should have a minimum of €900 or its legal equivalent in foreign currency,” reads a statement published by the official EULaw database & home of ...
Are groceries in Spain expensive? ›
Average price
Average prices can go up or down depending on the origin of the product, the shop, the city, and many other factors. Still, it costs around €50 on average to buy food for one person for one week, which means you'd be spending about €200 a month on food.
Is Spain a good place to buy clothes? ›
The capital city of Spain is famous for its bustling streets filled with designer boutiques, shops, and well-known clothing stores, as well as lively flea markets and tempting malls.
Is it cheap to buy designer in Spain? ›
Items in Europe are already significantly cheaper to purchase than in the U.S., and you can also get a percentage of your money back from the taxes you paid. Let's break it down. The Louis Vuitton bag that I purchased in Spain was $740 cheaper than the U.S. price.
