Linea Directa 200 LEFT COL CAR INSURANCE

PROPERTY SEARCH

DomusVi Ciudad de Murcia residential cross content 1200

Date Published: 01/12/2025

Could 2025 be the most expensive Christmas Spain has ever seen?

Consumers in Spain are facing an average price increase of 16% on a dozen basic festive food products

Families across Spain are bracing for what could be the costliest Christmas on record. Inflation may have eased slightly in recent months, dropping to a reasonable enough 3% in November, but the fall is almost entirely due to cheaper energy. Food prices, meanwhile, continue to climb and early indicators point to a festive season that will take a heavy toll on household budgets.

A walk past supermarket shelves already hints at what is to come. A basic basket of a dozen traditional Christmas foods is now around 16% more expensive than it was last year. Beef shows the steepest increase with prices up by nearly 18%, while lamb, fresh fish and nuts have risen by about 7%.

Seafood is up just over 3%, while wine has increased by a modest half a percent. Even this doesn’t reflect the full picture because it doesn’t include staples such as eggs, which are rising at more than 22% percent year on year, or olive oil which is still 54% more expensive than in 2021 despite its recent drop.

Sweets and other typical seasonal treats have risen sharply too.

Despite the rises, consumers seem determined to celebrate Christmas in familiar style. Aecoc reports that 71% of households expect to spend the same or more than last year. Food remains the biggest expense, but many families plan to protect their budgets by shifting their habits. Almost half intend to shop earlier than usual and look for deals or supermarket own brands. Nearly four in ten say they will change their menus altogether to avoid the worst price jumps.

According to the experts, families are facing the situation with a mix of caution and resignation. Wages have risen and fewer households have all members unemployed which helps soften the blow, but inflation has eaten away at real purchasing power for years.

Spain has had the lowest growth in real per capita income in Europe over the past two decades. Since 2004 purchasing power has increased by only 11%, which is half the European Union average. Rising costs for bills, groceries, education and, above all, housing have left little margin for festive indulgence.

Unsurprisingly, these exorbitant prices are leading to changing behaviours. A huge 93% of people surveyed by KPMG say they will have group lunches or dinners this year, but fewer than before. Rising restaurant prices and limited availability are putting many off. 84% plan to eat dinner at home on the main festive dates but this doesn’t mean they’ll cook more. Instead, many expect to mix home cooking with ready made dishes from supermarkets or even take away meals.

The aim, according to industry analysts, is simply to find a balance between what families want to spend and what they realistically can.

Also of interest: Fresh food takes centre stage this Christmas as supermarkets double down on Spanish favourites

Image: Freepik

Linea Directa Bottom Article M-Z CAR INSURANCE

Sign up for the Spanish News Today Editors Roundup Weekly Bulletin and get an email with all the week’s news straight to your inbox

Special offer: Subscribe now for 25% off (36.95 euros for 48 Bulletins)