Gain insights into how haircut and colour prices vary across Europe, so you can ensure your salon is positioned both appropriately and competitively in your area.
Today, the biggest hair trend is individuality. Whether it’s a pixie cut or voluminous blow-dry, anything goes. With clients seeking styles that reflect who they are, and hairdressers meeting this demand by crafting an increasingly wide range of personalised looks, the need to remain competitive in this evolving landscape raises an important question: What should a salon service really cost at one of the best salons in town?
In this article, we compare hairdressing prices across Europe, giving you the insight to see where your salon services fit within the current market. By exploring how a premium experience in Zurich compares with other leading salons across the continent, or how the price of a luxury hair colour in London measures up against emerging hubs like Budapest, you can benchmark your pricing strategy and understand how your own salon is positioned in today’s competitive industry.
From men’s to women’s haircuts, hair colour services and haircare treatments, the price differences across Europe are eye-opening. For example, at upscale salons in Copenhagen, the average cost for the cheapest men's haircut is €75.60, while in Budapest it is just €16.82. And while a basic colour in London reflects the pinnacle of high-end, city-centre luxury, vibrant markets like Sofia offer top-rated services at a completely different price point.
These differences are made visible for the first time in the European Hair Cost Index 2026* – with findings based on prices from 343 top-rated salons across 34 European cities.
The classic men's haircut was once a simple service – short on the back and sides, with a little length on top. Today, men are investing more into their look. From skin fades and precise contours to a carefully styled undercut, men’s hairstyles now require more time, precision and skill behind the chair.
So, what is the average cost of a standard men’s haircut in premium hair salons across Europe? The European Hair Cost Index 2026 illustrates that in Bucharest, men can get a haircut for as little as €5.90, with the same service costing over €70 at top salons in Berlin or Zurich. Across all 34 cities, the European average cost for a men's haircut is €39.90, highlighting just how much prices vary across the hairdressing industry.
“Across all 34 cities, the European average cost for a men's haircut is €39.90, highlighting just how much prices vary across the industry.”
Whether it’s nails, make-up or skincare, women have long invested both time and money in their appearance. But one item in the beauty budget remains sacred – a visit to the hairdresser. From the relaxing scalp massage to the feeling of leaving the salon freshly styled with no more split ends, a luxurious salon experience doesn’t always come cheap, but is an investment in hair health, self-care, and personal confidence.
While social media might be filled with tips and tricks for trending looks such as the “butterfly cut” for voluminous layers or tutorials for curtain bangs, the temptation to pick up the scissors at home has grown. However, many clients quickly realise that translating a quick video into a flawless look requires true craftsmanship and a professional stylist's expertise is unmatched.
A look at prices across Europe highlights the immense value and skill that top-rated hairdressers bring to the chair, showing why a professional visit remains the ultimate standard over DIY attempts. The European Hair Cost Index 2026* found women pay an average of €53.79 for a quick trim or simple short haircut. In Zürich, the average price reaches €101.50, while the same service in Budapest costs an average of just €26.52 – a difference of almost €75.
“The European Hair Cost Index 2026 found women pay an average of €53.79 for a quick trim or simple short haircut.”
When you consider the reality of the salon floor where women’s styles often require more intricate cutting techniques, additional time in the chair, and elaborate finishing, it is no surprise that across Europe, women pay on average 35% more for a haircut than men – a premium of around €14 across the continent. The biggest differences are found in Luxembourg, Ljubljana and Nicosia, while Vienna, with just 6% difference between male and female services comes closest to parity.
“Across Europe, women pay on average 35% more for a haircut than men.”
Every day, millions of people click on hair tutorials filmed in kitchens rather than salons and while these videos might spark inspiration, as hairdressers we know that achieving flawless, multidimensional colour without compromising hair health is a highly technical art form. That’s why having a professional colour treatment has long been a necessity, offering customised formulations, expert application and the peace of mind that an at-home experiment simply cannot provide.
The cost of a new hair colour shows an even greater variation across Europe’s salons than haircuts. Overall, the average cost sits at €87.15, but the differences are enormous. London marks the absolute peak, averaging €184.39, with prices reaching up to €354.34 for a short-hair colour treatment. In Sofia, the average price is just €40.21 despite top ratings of over 4.7/5.
“The cost of a new hair colour shows an even greater variation across Europe’s salons than haircuts. Overall, the average cost sits at €87.15.”
As the premium market for hairdressing across Europe – with our very own House of Hair headquarters located in Hamburg – we look at how salon service prices in the DACH region compare across Europe. The analysis shows that of 34 European cities, those in Germany, Austria and Switzerland are among the most expensive markets. However, there are also significant differences within the three countries.
• Those visiting a hairdresser in Switzerland pay the highest prices in Europe.
• In Zürich, a men's haircut costs an average of €70.14, a women's haircut as much as €101.50.
• Bern also sits above the European average, at €59.65 for men and €85.44 for women.
• For colour services, Switzerland remains in the upper segment at around €108.
• In Berlin, men pay an average of €62.20 and women €73.90 for an average haircut service.
• Munich is at a similar level, with around €61 for men and €80 for women.
• For colour treatments, Berlin reaches €124.50, the highest value in the DACH region, overtaking the Swiss cities.
• Vienna is the most affordable option within the DACH region.
• With an average of €49.25 for a men's haircut, €57.10 for women and around €105 for colour, the Austrian capital sits noticeably below Swiss and German prices but still well above the European average.
The overall comparison makes the difference tangible: a men's haircut in the DACH region costs an average of €59.55, compared to just €35.59 in the rest of Europe. For women, the DACH average is €77.04 versus €48.68. And for colour services, prices are around €106.69, roughly 29% higher than the European average of €82.81.
Unlike digital industries which rely on globally-steered pricing strategies to stay competitive, hairdressing salons – being face-to-face in nature – have always needed to maintain a much smaller catchment area to stay ahead of the competition. However with the prevalence of social media, a potential client might compare your services and prices with salons further afield before they step through your door. Therefore, it has never been so important to stay on top of pricing data so you can position your salon competitively in a much greater target area.
So, how does your salon stack up? Consider the following:
- Did any of the data surprise you?
- How do your prices compare with other salons in your nearest city?
- Are there opportunities to reposition yourself in the market?
We’d love to hear your thoughts – join the conversation on social media @schwarzkopfpro.
*This analysis covers 34 European cities: all EU capitals plus selected metropolises such as Zürich, Barcelona, Munich and Hamburg. Ten hair salons in central city locations were surveyed per city (exception: Valletta with nine salons). Selection was based on Google Maps using each city's central postcode. By focusing exclusively on top-rated salons in prime city-centre locations, this analysis reflects premium pricing – average prices across the wider city or in suburban areas are typically lower. Only salons with a minimum rating of 4 stars and publicly available prices (via website or booking platforms like Treatwell or Booksy) were included. This may result in limited data in less digitised markets.
The selection includes various salon types, from traditional hairdressers and barbershops to premium studios, reflecting real market diversity, though different price segments may be represented within a single city. As only highly-rated salons were considered, the prices shown represent the upper end of the market rather than city-wide averages. The lowest available standard prices for men's haircuts, women's haircuts and colour treatments were recorded. More complex services such as balayage or surcharges for longer hair may be significantly higher. Included extras like washing or styling vary by salon and were not recorded separately. Data was collected between 14 December 2025 and 14 January 2026. Prices in foreign currencies were converted to euros at the daily exchange rate between 22 December 2025 and 9 January 2026. Currency fluctuations may slightly affect converted values. This analysis provides a market overview based on a sample and does not claim to be exhaustive. Data is based on online information available at the time of research. Price changes, salon closures or website updates may lead to discrepancies.
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