New Eurostat figures reveal interesting differences in European working life
If you’ve lived on the Costa Blanca for a while, you’ve probably noticed it: the days often feel a bit longer, and many shops and restaurants stay open well into the evening.
According to the latest figures from Eurostat, the average Spaniard worked 36.3 hours per week in 2025. That’s about half an hour more than the European Union average of 35.9 hours.
Key figures from Eurostat
- Spain: 36.3 hours per week
- EU average: 35.9 hours per week
- Shortest working weeks: Netherlands (31.9), Germany & Denmark (33.9)
- Longest working weeks: Greece (39.6), Poland & Bulgaria (38.7)
A clear North-South divide
There’s a noticeable difference between Northern and Southern Europe. In countries like the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark, people generally enjoy shorter working weeks and a stronger focus on work-life balance. In Spain and many other Southern countries, the working days tend to be longer — often with later finishes.
What does this mean for expats on the Costa Blanca?
If you’ve moved here from Scandinavia, Germany or the UK, you probably experience both sides of it. You enjoy the lively evenings, the later dinner times, and the feeling that life isn’t always rushing forward. At the same time, it’s clear that many local Spanish workers carry a heavier load than what many of us are used to from back home.
It’s one of those small cultural differences that makes living here both charming and, at times, thought-provoking.
