Most Romanians (85%) will spend Easter 2026 at home with their families, the highest share in the past three years, as inflationary pressures continue to reshape household budgets, according to a study by Reveal Marketing Research.
According to the survey, 31% of respondents intend to cut spending, while 42% plan to allocate larger budgets.
Easter meals in 2026 are under pressure from inflation: 42% of Romanians say they will spend more than in 2025, 31% intend to reduce expenditure, and 27% expect to spend roughly the same as last year.
At the same time, interest in giving gifts continues to decline, with the share of those planning such purchases falling for the third consecutive year, from 67% in 2024 to 58% in 2025 and 55% in 2026.
Romanians report predominantly positive feelings ahead of the Easter holidays (75%), most commonly citing a sense of wellbeing (25%), happiness and enthusiasm (17%), and contentment and gratitude (11%). However, the share of those associating the period with a sense of calm has dropped significantly, from 17% in 2025 to 10% this year.
Meanwhile, 85% of Romanians plan to spend Easter at home with their families, up from 79% in both 2025 and 2024, a trend suggesting a stronger focus on the family unit amid economic pressures. Members of Generation Z (aged 18-24), however, stand out, being significantly more likely to dine out (27%, compared with 9% across the full sample).
In terms of religious practices, around half of Romanians say they observe fasting: 12% throughout the entire period, 17% only on Wednesdays and Fridays, and 16% only during Holy Week.
Romanians explain a more restrained Easter through a shift towards lower consumption and a return to tradition. Some 48% of respondents say they have noticed changes in how they celebrate in recent years. The main reasons cited in 2026 include the search for a more authentic and meaningful celebration away from commercial bustle (40%, up from 28% in 2025), adopting a more minimalist and eco-friendly lifestyle to avoid excess consumption (26%, compared with 20% in 2025), and a shift from a traditional to a more modern approach (24%, down from 35% in 2025).
As for the meaning of Easter, most Romanians emphasise traditions and customs (37%), while 28% see the holiday primarily as a time for connection and communication with loved ones, and 25% perceive a balance between traditions and family relationships.
Against the backdrop of economic pressures, six in ten Romanians expect to put less food on the Easter table this year. Thus, 31% say they will reduce their holiday budget, up from 21% in 2025, while 27% will spend similar amounts to last year, down from 39%. By gender, women feel the financial strain more acutely, with 35% saying they will cut spending, compared with 27% of men.
"Three consecutive years of data tell us the same story: Romanians are celebrating Easter with increasing financial caution. What is new in 2026 is the pace of change - a 10% rise in those planning to cut their budgets in a single year is a signal we cannot ignore," said Marius Luican, CEO of Reveal Marketing Research.
On the other hand, 42% of Romanians say they will allocate a larger budget than in 2025 (compared with 40% the previous year), although this increase mainly reflects adjustments to inflation rather than an intention to spend more. At the same time, the number of those planning to give Easter gifts continues to fall, reaching 55% in 2026, down from 58% in 2025 and 67% in 2024. Recipients remain primarily children (59%), partners (57%) and parents (40%).
Economic and political uncertainty is influencing Easter planning for 81% of Romanians, with the main response being a shift towards saving and precautionary spending cuts - a trend that has risen significantly to 64%, from 52% in 2025.
As for budgets for the Easter mini-break, 47% of respondents estimate spending between 500 and 1,500 lei, 36% under 500 lei, and 13% between 1,500 and 3,000 lei.
The Reveal Marketing Research study was conducted online between 1 and 5 April 2026 on a nationally representative sample of internet users aged 18 and over, from both urban and rural areas. The sample included 1,005 respondents, with a margin of error of ą3.1% at a 95% confidence level.
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