From Lisbon to Ljubljana, coffee remains a daily ritual for millions of European workers—but just how much value they get from their morning cup varies widely across the continent, according to new findings from Euronews Business.
A recent survey by Pressat, conducted between January and March 2025, reveals dramatic differences in coffee-buying habits and costs across Europe. While the UK tops the chart in daily takeaway coffee consumption with an average of 1.96 cups per worker, French coffee lovers are shelling out the most—paying an average of €3.42 per cup. Despite their reputation for espresso culture, only 8.9% of French respondents opt for that drink; lattes and macchiatos are far more popular.
Lithuania follows closely, with an average coffee price of €3.39, though preferences are split between cappuccinos and cortados. At the other end of the price spectrum is Denmark, where the average takeaway cup costs just €1.89—making it the cheapest coffee spot in Europe despite a relatively high average daily consumption of 1.32 cups per worker.
When looking specifically at cappuccinos, data from Numbeo paints a slightly different picture. In Copenhagen, a cappuccino costs an average of €5.81—more than triple the cost of the same drink in Italy (€1.53) and nearly five times more than in Kosovo, where it can be purchased for just €1.27.
Do Coffee Prices Match Incomes?
A deeper analysis of coffee affordability shows that higher-income nations often get better value for money. In Denmark, where the average net salary is €43,913, a takeaway coffee costs just 0.004% of annual income. By contrast, in Lithuania, with a net average salary of €15,909, each cup costs around 0.021% of a worker’s annual pay.
Luxembourg, with Europe’s highest average net income (€50,410), offers one of the most favorable price-to-income ratios for coffee lovers. Despite its relatively high average cup cost of around €3, that still amounts to only 0.005% of a salary.
The Cappuccino Index
In terms of cappuccino affordability, Italy leads the pack. A resident of Rome earning an average monthly net salary can afford 1,399 cappuccinos, followed closely by citizens in Bern, Switzerland (1,378) and Luxembourg (1,347). Meanwhile, consumers in Eastern Europe—despite enjoying cheaper coffees—often find takeaway coffee less affordable due to lower average incomes.
Behind the Prices
Though the basic cost of coffee beans is minimal—just a few cents per serving—café pricing reflects multiple factors: rent, taxes, energy costs, and labor. For example, in Ireland, the EU country with the highest commercial electricity costs (€254.30/MWh), overheads inevitably drive up consumer prices.
Experts argue that even countries with efficient supply chains, like Poland—Europe’s fifth-largest coffee importer and exporter—aren’t immune to high prices, due to broader economic conditions. “Warsaw café prices have spread nationwide, but it doesn’t have to be that way,” former Polish economy minister Janusz Piechociński told Euronews.
Ultimately, for millions across Europe, coffee remains a cherished—but not always equally affordable—daily indulgence.
