Costs and groceries
How expensive the north is according to Eurostat, and where you can save
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Camping guide
Costs and groceries
“Isn’t Scandinavia really expensive?” We hear that a lot. The answer: it depends on the country and what you’re spending on. With Eurostat figures you can see exactly how much more groceries and eating out cost than in the Netherlands.
Researched by Arjan from Zuidlaren, so you don’t have to · Sources: Eurostat · updated 24 October 2026 · About this page
- Norway: groceries +34% compared with the Netherlands
- Finland: +8%
- Cooking yourself saves a lot
Figures
📊 Price levels compared with the Netherlands
| Country | Food and non-alcoholic drinks | Restaurants and accommodation |
|---|---|---|
| Norway | +34% | +17% |
| Denmark | +21% | +18% |
| Sweden | +11% | +3% |
| Finland | +8% | +2% |
Source: Eurostat prc_ppp_ind_1, figures for 2025, Netherlands = 100. (source: Eurostat) For Iceland and more detail: see our prices guide.
Tips
💡 How to keep it affordable
- Cook for yourself: many campsites have a shared kitchen
- Bring long-life basics from home
- Go for free nature: see free days out in nature
- Check tolls and bridges in advance: tolls guide
Shops
🍷 Buying alcohol
| Norway | Wine, spirits and beer over 4.7% only at Vinmonopolet |
|---|---|
| Sweden | Wine and spirits at Systembolaget (from age 20) |
| Finland | Stronger than 8% (other drinks 5.5%) at Alko |
| Iceland | Only at Vínbúðin (from age 20) |
Sources and details by country on the country pages: Norway · Sweden · Denmark · Finland · Iceland.
Quick to sort
✅ Sorted before you leave
Handy to sort out or look at straight away:
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How much more expensive are groceries in Norway?
Food and non-alcoholic drinks are 34% higher than in the Netherlands (Eurostat, 2025).
Is Finland expensive?
Food and non-alcoholic drinks are 8% higher than in the Netherlands, restaurants and accommodation 2% (Eurostat, 2025).
Accountability
📚 Sources
Every number and every rule on this page comes from a source. Here they all are in one place, checked on 24 October 2026. We only mention prices if the provider publishes them itself; otherwise we refer you to the official website.
View 1 sources
- ec.europa.eu: Eurostat: price levels (prc_ppp_ind_1)
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