Finns are planning to spend more on their summer vacations this year, offering one of the clearest signs yet that consumer confidence is recovering.
According to the results of a new Nordea survey, the average summer vacation budget for 2026 is €1,279, up 9% from last year. It is the highest figure recorded since the bank began tracking the data in 2019.
The increase comes after several years in which rising living costs constrained household spending. While nearly half of respondents said inflation still affects their vacation plans, that share has declined steadily over the past four years. The result suggests that many households are beginning to feel more comfortable spending on experiences rather than focusing solely on essential expenses.
“The growth in summer vacation budgets is once again a strong signal of strengthening consumer confidence and an improving economy,” said Jani Eloranta, head of personal banking at Nordea Finland.
The survey reveals notable differences across demographic groups. Families with children and residents of the Helsinki metropolitan area are planning the largest budgets, with almost one quarter expecting to spend more than €2,000 during the summer. At the other end of the spectrum, around half of respondents under 25 expect to spend no more than €500.
Perhaps the most notable finding is how vacations are financed. Most respondents continue to rely on salaries and savings rather than borrowing. Savings played a slightly larger role than a year ago, suggesting that Finns remain cautious even as confidence improves.
