The global coffee market, an industry that transacts billions of kilograms annually, is fundamental to daily routines worldwide. While universal in its appeal, the cost of a daily brew diverges sharply across Europe, reflecting a complex interplay of consumption habits, economic conditions, and localized market dynamics. An analysis of recent data highlights significant regional disparities in both pricing and affordability, offering a nuanced perspective on consumer value.
- Workers in the United Kingdom lead European takeaway coffee consumption, averaging 1.96 cups per day, based on a January-March 2025 Pressat survey.
- France records the highest average takeaway coffee price at €3.42 per cup, while Denmark offers the most affordable at €1.89.
- Copenhagen has the highest average cappuccino price at €5.81, contrasting sharply with Italy, the birthplace of cappuccino, where it averages a modest €1.53.
- Despite its high prices, coffee constitutes a relatively small percentage of annual income in France (0.0106%) and Denmark (0.004%), while in Lithuania, it accounts for 0.021% of take-home pay, indicating poorer value.
- Italy ranks highest in coffee affordability, with residents in Rome theoretically able to purchase 1,399 cappuccinos with their average monthly salary.
European Consumption Trends
Data from a January-March 2025 Pressat survey on workplace coffee habits across 27 EU countries and the UK reveals distinct consumption patterns. Workers in the United Kingdom lead in takeaway coffee consumption, averaging 1.96 cups per day, closely followed by Belgium (1.79 cups), Poland (1.77 cups), France (1.76 cups), and Romania (1.68 cups). Conversely, workers in Luxembourg show the lowest daily takeaway coffee purchases, averaging just 0.82 cups, with Hungary (0.83 cups), the Czech Republic (0.84 cups), and Sweden (0.9 cups) also exhibiting more frugal habits.
Pricing Variances Across Europe
Despite its high consumption, France emerges with the highest average takeaway coffee price at €3.42 per cup, with Lithuania following closely at €3.39. Interestingly, the most popular takeaway choices in France were caffe latte (17.02%) and caffe macchiato (16.17%). In stark contrast, Denmark offers the most affordable takeaway coffee at an average of €1.89, making it the only surveyed country where the average price was below €2. Slovakia (€2.08) and Cyprus (€2.09) also feature highly competitive prices.
A separate analysis by Numbeo.com on the average price of a cappuccino in European capital cities presents a different picture. Copenhagen records the highest average cappuccino price at €5.81, significantly higher than Denmark’s general takeaway coffee average. Iceland (€5.33) and Switzerland (€5.27) also report prices above €5. At the other end of the spectrum, the birthplace of cappuccino, Italy, offers it for a modest €1.53, with Kosovo (€1.27) and Ukraine (€1.36) presenting even lower costs. Poland, for instance, finds itself in the middle, with a cappuccino in Warsaw costing €3.64, though this is often higher than in neighboring countries, excluding Germany.
Economic Factors and Affordability
The final price of a cup of coffee involves more than the raw cost of beans, which for a 9g serving of arabica, is negligible (approximately €0.00009). Significant operational overheads contribute, including staffing, takeaway packaging, and energy consumption. Electricity costs for businesses vary considerably across the EU; Eurostat data from 2024 indicates an average of €155.80/MWh for non-household, medium-sized consumers. Ireland faced the highest rates at €254.30/MWh, while Norway enjoyed the lowest at €79.10/MWh.
An examination of coffee prices against average take-home pay reveals varying levels of affordability. In France, despite higher cup prices, the average net salary of €32,354 means coffee constitutes approximately 0.0106% of annual income. Denmark, with a higher net pay of €43,913, enjoys even greater proportionality at just 0.004%. Conversely, Lithuania, which has the second-most-expensive takeaway coffee and a lower average net salary of €15,909, sees coffee consume around 0.021% of annual take-home pay, indicating a notably poorer value for its citizens. Luxembourg, with the highest average net salary of €50,410, offers some of the best value, with coffee accounting for approximately 0.005% of income.
This affordability metric is further highlighted by the “cappuccino index by salary,” which calculates how many cappuccinos an average monthly salary can purchase. Residents in Rome could theoretically purchase 1,399 cappuccinos with their average monthly salary, positioning Italy at the top for affordability, followed closely by Bern, Switzerland (1,378 cups), and Luxembourg (1,347 cups). This index underscores a broad divide, with Western European countries (excluding Portugal) generally offering salaries sufficient for at least 750 cappuccinos monthly, while Eastern European consumers face greater affordability challenges.
The disparity in coffee prices, even within efficient supply chains, points to significant localized economic factors. As Janusz Piechocinski, an economist and former Polish economy minister, observed regarding Poland’s situation, despite being a major coffee producer and exporter in Europe, domestic prices can be elevated. He attributed this to factors such as higher real estate costs and taxes, which directly increase the operational expenses for cafes and restaurants, ultimately impacting the final consumer price.
Oliver brings 12 years of experience turning intimidating financial figures into crystal-clear insights. He once identified a market swing by tracking a company’s suspiciously high stapler orders. When he’s off the clock, Oliver perfects his origami… because folding paper helps him spot market folds before they happen.