Money
Read the latest financial, economic and cost of living news from around Europe.
How a 'Mieterverein' can help you reduce your rent in Germany
If you're renting in Germany, you may have heard about a tenants' association - or Mieterverein. But you may not be aware that joining one could help save you money in the long run.
No more Bürgergeld: The changes to Germany's unemployment benefits from July
From July 1st, Bürgergeld is no more. Germany is replacing this long-term unemployment benefit with a new version called 'Basic Security Allowance'. Here's what you need to know.
France's SNCF puts 100,000 cut-price summer train tickets on sale
The French rail operator SNCF has put on sale 100,000 tickets, starting at €19, for train journeys over the summer between Tuesday and Thursday.
Swedish support for adopting the euro drops as krona rebounds
Swedes' support for adopting the euro is falling, according to the latest survey by Statistics Sweden.
Women in Sweden face a 37-year wait for equal income as progress stalls
The incomes of men and women are not expected to level out in Sweden until 2063, but some regions may have to wait longer – 131 years in the most extreme case.
Sweden to force grocery stores and pharmacies to accept cash
Swedish supermarkets, pharmacies and banks must do more to accept banknotes and coins, a new decision in parliament states.
Can you still buy things in Denmark if payment service Nets is down?
Payment provider Nets reported an outage for much of Thursday which caused card payments across the country to be declined. What can you do if you need to pay for something?
EXPLAINED: What Austria’s 2026 pension changes mean for you
Austria will adjust pensions in January 2026, but the uplift will not be equal for everyone. So who gets full inflation protection, who does not, and why ministers say the model is 'socially balanced'?
French truckers plan blockades to protest fuel prices
French hauliers have announced several planned blockades on Saturday - with more to come next week - to protest at spiralling fuel prices in the wake of the war in the Middle East and to call for government aid.
What you should know about the EU's plan to tap your savings
Europe is in great need of money and the EU's plan to get hold of it is to tap the trillions of euros of EU citizens' savings. But will it work?
Replacement for cash? How the new 'digital euro' would work for Europeans
Supporters say it would let Europeans make online payments without relying on US payment system, but critics fear it would allow governments to surveil citizens' payments. How would the digital euro work?
What Austria’s new lower VAT on food could mean for your shopping bill
Austria will cut VAT on selected staple foods to 4.9 percent from July 1st, aiming to ease household costs. Here's what's getting cheaper (and what will still be expensive).
What’s a good salary in Germany in 2026?
If you’re eyeing a career move to Germany or already living here as a foreign resident, 2026 is shaping up to be an intriguing and largely positive year for salaries.
How does the price of childcare in Germany compare to countries in Europe?
Germany is known for having a substantial support system, especially for families with kids. So how much do parents tend to spend on childcare and how does it stack up against other countries in Europe?
Italy approves 2026 budget with tax cut for middle earners
Italy's parliament approved the final 2026 budget on Tuesday, including an income tax cut for around 13.6 million middle-income earners.
Spain to be fastest growing EU economy in 2026 but benefits not trickling down
Buoyed by immigration, the Spanish economy has enjoyed positive headline figures in recent years and will continue to lead the way in the bloc in 2026, but Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez admits the benefits aren't yet trickling down to locals.
Why do banks in Spain close so early?
If you want to get anything done at the bank in Spain, you better get there early, as the vast majority of 'bancos' close at 2pm and don't open after lunch.
Where in Germany you'll pay hotel tax and why you won't in Bavaria
In most German states visitors can expect to pay a local tax for overnight stays at hotels. But a recent court ruling in Bavaria confirmed that hotel taxes may not be collected in the southern 'Free State'.
'CR7 rule': What is Italy’s flat tax for wealthy foreign residents?
As the Italian government moves to hike a contested flat tax on foreign income for wealthy new residents, here’s how the scheme works – and who can take advantage of it.
How much do you need to earn to buy a home in Germany in autumn 2025?
Real estate prices are on the rise again, but some financial experts suggest that now is a good time to buy a home in Germany. So how much do you need to earn to purchase a house or apartment here?
Is Sweden's rapid economic recovery bad news?
Sweden's economy is growing much faster than expected, which experts believe could mean that the government's financial policy has done too much too soon, raising the risk of an interest rate hike in the future.
Sweden's Moderates to vote on pushing for Euro membership
The board of Sweden's ruling Moderate is calling on the party to vote on launching an inquiry into switch from the krona to the euro, although the party's vice-chair, finance minister Elisabeth Svantesson, doesn't think it will happen any time soon.
'Responsibility to contribute': Are the financial requirements for German citizenship fair?
Demonstrating financial stability, and not relying on certain welfare benefits, is among the basic requirements to gain German citizenship. We asked our readers if they thought this was fair, and some mentioned cases where it gets complicated.