European baby-care costs vary widely, with Spain topping and UK cheapest
A Remitly study shows first-year baby expenses range from €2,813 in the UK to over €6,000 in Spain and several other nations.
Remitly calculated the cost of baby essentials for the first year of life using prices from July 2026, covering nappies, formula, clothing, sleep gear, transport and feeding items. Across 38 European nations the total ranges from €2,813 in the United Kingdom to €6,294 in Spain, with an average of €4,727. The highest-cost countries also include the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden and Switzerland, each above €6,000.
Clothing, baby formula and nappies together account for roughly 81% of expenses, with notable variations such as clothing making up 52.5% of costs in Sweden but only 16% in Denmark. When compared with average national wages, baby costs represent 20.9% of annual earnings on average, from a low of 5.4% in Belgium to a high of 88.8% in Moldova. The study does not include nursery or crèche fees, which can add substantial additional burdens.
Why it matters
Understanding baby-care costs helps families plan budgets and informs policymakers about affordability gaps across Europe.
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