The Spanish appear to be adjusting their spending during holidays, particularly when it comes to eating out for lunch and dinner in restaurants. The latest data from the Centre for Sociological Research (CIS) for July 2025 shows a decline in how often people dine out during their time off, which may be linked to the economic situation and its impact on the budgets of many families.
In July 2025, only 19% of respondents said they always go to restaurants during their holidays, compared with 24% in 2024. Similarly, the share of those who eat out more than three times a week fell from 23.5% to 21.9%. Conversely, the percentage of people who never go to a restaurant during their holidays rose slightly, from 6.6% in 2024 to 7.6% in 2025.
The drop in restaurant visits is particularly noticeable in the category of “more than three times a week”, which fell by 1.6 percentage points compared with the previous year. On the other hand, the most common option remains going to restaurants two to three times per week, with 23.3% in 2025 compared with 27.4% in 2024. This suggests that, while the practice remains widespread, Spaniards are tightening their spending.
Consumer behaviour experts highlight that this reduction may be linked to the financial pressure many Spanish families are under, as they seek to balance their holiday budgets and prioritise other expenses, such as transport, accommodation or leisure activities. The CIS survey suggests that, faced with economic uncertainty, people are even adjusting consumption habits traditionally associated with holidays, such as eating out.
Despite this trend, most Spaniards continue to combine holiday leisure with some dining out, albeit in a more moderate way. Those who go to restaurants once a week increased slightly, while those who never go still represent a small, though growing, share of the population. Overall, the data point to a clear adjustment in holiday consumption habits, with fewer restaurant visits and a general tendency to rationalise spending, without completely giving up the enjoyment of eating out. This shift may reflect a mix of factors, ranging from concerns about household finances to the search for cheaper options or alternative leisure activities at holiday destinations.