Ireland remains most expensive country in EU to buy alcohol and tobacco

June 22, 2022

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Ireland has retained its spot as the most expensive country in the European Union to purchase alcohol and tobacco in in 2021, according to Eurostat.

Data published on Tuesday shows that Ireland was the second most expensive country in the EU overall last year, with price levels 140% above the EU average. Denmark topped the list.

For alcohol and tobacco Ireland was the most expensive with prices 205% of the EU average, followed by Finland at 173% of average and Sweden at 136% while the lowest prices were in Bulgaria at 64% of the EU average. Eurostat explained that the large price variation is mainly due to “differences in taxation”.

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Food and non-alcoholic beverages were most expensive in Luxembourg at 125% of the EU average, followed by Denmark at 120% and Ireland at 119%. Romania was the cheapest country with prices 69% of the average.

When it came to the price of restaurants and hotels, Denmark ranked the most expensive with prices 155% of the EU average. This was followed by Sweden at 137% and Finland at 133%. Ireland was 129.5% of the average.

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