The cost of a typical household shopping basket in Greek supermarkets remains lower than in most major European countries, according to new data from the Institute of Retail Consumer Goods Research (IELKA).
IELKA’s comparative study, conducted in September 2025, examined prices across 40 product categories in supermarkets in Greece, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, and Romania. The research drew on more than 6,000 product prices from 44 supermarket chains and price comparison platforms across the eight countries.
The analysis compared both gross prices (including VAT) and net prices (excluding VAT), revealing that Greece consistently offers cheaper averages. Based on gross prices, supermarket baskets were more expensive by 33% in Germany, 30% in France, 10% in the UK, 15% in Italy, 12% in Spain, 15% in Romania, and 1% in Portugal compared with Greece.
When VAT was excluded, the gap widened further: Germany’s average basket was 39% more expensive than Greece’s, followed by France (38%), the UK (22%), Italy (22%), Spain (18%), Portugal (4%), and Romania (17%).
IELKA attributed part of the difference to variations in food-related VAT rates. Greece applies a 13% rate on most food items—higher than many EU countries, where reduced VAT rates range between 0% and 10%. For example, the UK applies 0% or 5%, France 10% and 5.5%, Spain 10% and 4%, and Germany 7%.
Despite Greece’s comparatively higher food VAT, supermarket prices remain lower overall, which the institute credits to “the coordinated efforts of suppliers and retailers to contain price growth in recent years.”
The report concludes that Greek consumers continue to benefit from some of Europe’s most affordable supermarket prices — a trend observed consistently over the past 12 years of IELKA’s annual comparative research.
Stay updated with the latest news from Greece and around the world on greekcitytimes.com.
Contact our newsroom to share your updates, stories, photos, or videos. Follow GCT on Google News and Apple News.
