Cheapest country in Europe to buy an iPhone

Why the same iPhone costs different amounts

Apple sets a recommended retail price for each country. That price already includes the local value-added tax (VAT), and VAT rates in Europe range widely. Switzerland's standard rate is 8.1%, Germany charges 19%, France and Austria 20%, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium and the Czech Republic 21%, Italy 22%, Portugal, Ireland and Poland 23%, and Sweden and Denmark 25%. A difference of more than fifteen percentage points of tax alone explains a large part of the gap between the cheapest and the most expensive countries.

Currency is the second big factor. In countries outside the eurozone, such as Switzerland, Poland, the Czech Republic, Sweden and Denmark, prices are set in the local currency and are not updated every time exchange rates move. When the franc or the krona strengthens or weakens against the euro, the euro-equivalent price drifts until Apple or the retailers reprice. This is why the cheapest country can change from one year to the next.

Finally, retailers compete. Apple's own store usually sticks to the recommended price, while electronics chains such as MediaMarkt, Fnac, Boulanger, Coolblue, Digitec Galaxus or Elgiganten run their own promotions, especially a few months after launch and around events like Black Friday. The cheapest offer is therefore often at a retailer, not at Apple.

Countries that are often worth checking

Historically, Switzerland has frequently been among the cheaper places for new iPhones in euro terms, thanks largely to its low VAT. Germany and some eurozone countries with strong retail competition can also be competitive once retailer discounts kick in. The Nordic countries, with 25% VAT, are often at the more expensive end. These are tendencies, not rules: exchange rates and promotions change, so run a fresh comparison with Border Buy for the exact model and storage size you want.

Be careful when comparing launch prices with discounted prices. A model that has just launched usually sells at the recommended price everywhere, while a model that has been on sale for several months may be discounted in some countries and not in others.

Hidden costs that change the answer

If you buy outside your own customs territory, the comparison changes. Bringing an iPhone bought in Switzerland back into the EU, for example, may mean declaring it at customs and paying your home country's VAT if its value exceeds your traveller allowance. In that case the Swiss price advantage can disappear. Our guide on buying in Switzerland versus the EU explains the basics.

Within the EU, there is no customs check for personal purchases, and you simply pay the VAT of the country where you buy in person. However, many retailers only deliver to addresses in their own country, and some only accept local payment methods. Factor in travel costs and time.

Also consider your card's foreign exchange fee when paying in another currency, which can be one to three percent with some banks.

Warranty, models and compatibility

In the EU, consumers benefit from a legal guarantee of at least two years against defects when they buy from a business, on top of Apple's own one-year limited warranty. Apple's warranty service is generally available across countries where the product is sold, but the legal guarantee is claimed from the seller, so it can be more practical to buy where you can easily return. Switzerland has its own rules, and retailers there sometimes offer different terms, so check before buying.

European iPhone models are generally identical across EU countries, but check that the model you buy supports the mobile network bands and features you need, and that any bundled accessories suit your country.

How to use Border Buy for this

Search for the exact model name, including the storage size if it matters to you, for example "iPhone 18 256GB". Pick your home country and up to two neighbours, then switch the display to EUR. The comparison table highlights the cheapest country and shows how much more you would pay elsewhere. Then open the listing on the retailer's website to confirm the final price, availability and delivery options before you decide.