Belgian households spend an average of €3,500 on holidays in 2026
Travelling is expensive, especially in more challenging economic times. This year, a Belgian household will spend an average of €3,531 on holidays. Three in four Belgians (73%) who have travelled or still plan to travel in 2026 say they specifically save money to be able to go on holiday. Despite this, fewer Belgians are taking out travel insurance compared with last year.
A study commissioned by BNP Paribas Fortis has explored how Belgians finance their holidays. Among other things, 1,000 Belgians aged 18 and over were asked whether they had travelled or planned to travel in 2026 and how much they intended to spend.
The findings show that almost seven in ten adult Belgians (69%) will travel at least once in 2026, or have already done so. Travelling is most popular among 18- to 34-year-olds, with 77% planning or having taken a trip. Among single people, 55% have travel plans for 2026. This figure rises to 70% for couples and 76% for families with children.
Nevertheless, 31% of Belgians will stay at home in 2026. Indeed, a significant proportion of people aged 55 and over (35%) are opting for a staycation (27%), while 8% have not yet made any travel plans. Among single people, the figure is almost half (45%): 30% say they will not go on holiday and 15% have not yet made any plans.
More expensive for single travellers
In 2026, the average Belgian household will spend €3,531 on holidays, either on one trip or spread across several. Of those who travel, 73% say they specifically save for this purpose. Just over a quarter (27%) do not need to save in order to afford a holiday. Around 1 in 5 households (19%) spend less than €1,000 a year on travel, while 14% spend €5,000 or more annually.
Annual travel budgets vary considerably depending on household composition. Couples will spend an average of €3,649 on travel in 2026. For households of three or more people, this figure rises to €3,944. Holidays are clearly the most expensive relative to household size for single travellers, with an average annual spend of €2,283.
For many Belgians, however, staying within budget is not always easy. In 2026, nearly a quarter (23%) of holidaymakers say they do not always succeed in sticking to their planned budget. Those under 34 years old and families with children are particularly likely to struggle to control their holiday spending.
(Less) financially protected while travelling
Good preparation can help travellers enjoy their holiday without worrying about money. Setting a clear budget in advance and allowing for unexpected expenses can help to avoid any unpleasant surprises during a trip. Examples of such costs include payments made abroad, medical assistance, and last-minute changes to accommodation or transport arrangements.
One notable finding is that fewer Belgians now take out travel insurance before departure: 56%, compared with 61% last year, even though such insurance can provide valuable peace of mind when things go wrong.
Travel costs not always clear
A clear overview of costs helps travellers keep their holiday budget under control, but not everyone receives this clarity when booking a trip. Around 14% of Belgians planning a holiday in 2026 say they often do not have a clear view of all the costs involved. More than three quarters of holidaymakers (76%), however, find travel costs easy to understand when making a booking.
Problems can also arise during the holiday itself. More than one in ten holidaymakers (13%) have experienced difficulties when paying abroad using different payment methods. Additionally, nearly a quarter are unaware of the fees associated with using a debit card (21%) or credit card (22%) abroad.
Source: BNP Paribas Fortis, 2026
Fees with BNP Paribas Fortis
BNP Paribas Fortis distinguishes between payments and cash withdrawals abroad. Fees also vary depending on whether a debit or credit card is used.
Payments
Payments in euros are free of charge, except when a debit card is used outside the European Economic Area (EEA). In this case, a fee equivalent to 1.21% of the transaction amount is charged, with a minimum fee of €0.60.
For payments in currencies other than euros made with a debit card, a processing fee of 1.21% of the transaction amount (with a minimum charge of €0.60) and a currency conversion fee of 1.90% of the transaction amount are charged. No processing fee applies to credit card payments, but a currency conversion fee of 1.60% is charged.
Cash withdrawals
Cash withdrawals in euros using a debit card are free within the EEA. Outside the EEA, a fixed fee of €5 per transaction applies. With a credit card, withdrawing euros abroad incurs a fee of €6 plus 1.00% of the withdrawn amount, which is the same as in Belgium.
For cash withdrawals in currencies other than the euro, both a processing fee and a currency conversion fee apply. With a debit card, this amounts to a fixed fee of €5 plus a currency conversion fee of 1.90% of the amount withdrawn. With a credit card, the fixed processing fee is €6, and the currency conversion fee is 1.60% of the amount withdrawn.
More information can be found in the BNP Paribas Fortis tariff guide.
About the survey
The figures are based on an online survey carried out by DataSynergy on behalf of BNP Paribas Fortis. The survey was conducted between 8 and 15 May 2026 among 1,000 Belgians aged 18 and over. The sample is representative in terms of age, gender, and region. It explored holiday plans, travel budgets and financial habits in the run-up to the summer holiday season.
