Top 17+ Things Europeans Have That Americans Think Are a Luxury

Where you live greatly impacts your lifestyle, opportunities, and what constitutes ‘normal’ in your everyday life. For some Europeans, things they consider standard or universal may be deemed ‘luxurious’ by the average person in the US. Here, we have compiled a list of 17 things Europeans have in their lives that Americans may view as a special or unique luxury.

Universal Healthcare

Imagine not worrying about getting sick or injured, no matter your financial situation. In Europe, access to healthcare is considered a basic human right, so the state often offers healthcare to its citizens. Many Americans would consider not having to worry about insurance coverage a significant luxury!

Paid Vacation Time

Compared to their American counterparts, European employees get far more weeks of paid vacation annually. France offers 31 days of PTO a year, compared to only 10 for citizens in the US. This significantly improves mental health by giving Europeans more time for travel, hobbies, and quality time with family/friends.

High-Speed Trains

High-speed rail networks, like the Eurostar and TGV, provide many Europeans with an alternative to more expensive and polluting air travel. Such trains are fast and efficient and often take scenic routes through picturesque landscapes- plus, they have much more space and comfort than your average airplane cabin.

International Travel

America may be culturally diverse, but it doesn’t have Europe’s rich history and its small number of different countries, all in close proximity to each other, making it easy for Europeans to explore neighboring cultures, cuisines, and landscapes. For Americans, international travel is a luxury many cannot afford due to the cost and distance involved.

Multilingualism

While not valid for the UK, mainland Europeans are typically at least bilingual, with many speaking several languages from neighboring countries. Such linguistic talents are envied by many US and UK citizens, who typically grow up speaking only English.

Café Culture

Coffee culture exists on both ‘sides of the pond,’ but it is a much more relaxed and leisurely affair in the cafes of Europe. There, conversation over a coffee is more common than in the fast-paced takeaway coffee shops of the US, where convenience and time efficiency are often the most critical factors.

Efficient Public Services

European countries are known for providing efficient public services, like reliable garbage collection and consistent maintenance of public spaces. Many Americans would consider this a luxury because their local services tend to be less streamlined and more inconsistent.

Public Transportation Etiquette

Compared to American subways, trains, and buses, Europeans tend to be more polite and respectful commuters, adhering to an ‘unwritten code’ of conduct when using public transport. This certainly makes the experience more pleasant and may be considered a luxury for Americans using crowded, less orderly US transit options.

Wellness Retreats

Europe offers several so-called ‘wellness retreats’ that provide relaxation, rejuvenation, and mindfulness amongst idyllic surroundings, like forests and mountains. Escaping to a retreat to improve their mental health is feasible for a European but almost impossible for the average American- with high costs and travel times and a lack of PTO.