Holiday money: Every second person is planning a trip – what are the Austrians doing?

Holiday money: Every second person is planning a trip – what are the Austrians doing?

A current survey by DenizBank AG and the opinion research institute INTEGRAL shows that Austria's employees are increasingly using their vacation money for travel this year. Loud Small newspaper A good 53 percent of those surveyed plan to spend their vacation money for exactly this purpose. This represents an increase compared to the previous year.

The survey, which was carried out in April 2025 among 1,000 employees and pensioners between the ages of 16 and 75, shows that the usage profile of vacation pay depends heavily on the age group and financial situation. A third of those surveyed say they save money, with those under 30 particularly inclined to do so. For many, vacation is the priority, while others seem to prefer to build up reserves.

Various uses

The survey results also show other interesting usage patterns. 19 percent of those surveyed use their vacation money to invest in the household or living costs. In addition, one in seven respondents uses the additional money to reduce debts and pay off outstanding bills. Overall, around 60 percent of those surveyed see vacation pay as an opportunity to cushion financial burdens. What is particularly striking is that 40 percent say they use the money to “make ends meet.”

DenizBank highlights that holiday pay not only serves as a special payment, but also as an important buffer to provide financial security in challenging times. These findings are particularly relevant since 10 percent of respondents rate their financial situation as very good and 39 percent rate it as fairly good. It is noteworthy that higher incomes and better education correlate with a positive assessment of the financial situation.

Special wishes and investments

In addition to using it for travel and recreational purposes, 50 percent of those surveyed plan to use their vacation money to fulfill special wishes. The figures also show that 11 percent invest in securities such as stocks or funds, with this tendency being particularly pronounced among men and better educated people.

The results of the study make it clear that many people view vacation pay not just as a bonus, but as an important means of financial planning and security. DenizBank AG has emphasized the importance of these financial resources for many people in Austria. The institutional goal remains to ensure support for respondents in difficult economic times, as well OTS explained in their press release.