Recorded music revenue in the European Union reached €6 billion ($6.96 billion) in 2025, a 5.1% increase of €293 million ($340 million) from 2024, according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) Music in the EU 2026 report.
The EU’s year-over-year rise exceeded China’s $335 million (€289 million) increase in absolute revenue terms, not percentage growth.
Streaming and physical revenue#
Paid streaming revenue in the EU rose by $255 million (€220 million) in 2025. Ad-supported listening added $56 million (€48 million), while physical formats including vinyl grew by $67 million (€58 million).
“Half of the Top 10 vinyl markets are EU countries, with Spain being the fastest growing in the Top 10 at +44.9%,” the report states.
Country-level growth#
Recorded music revenue growth varied widely across EU member states in 2025.
- Romania: 16.1%
- Slovakia and the Baltics: 15.9%
- Hungary: 15.5%
- Slovenia: 14.2%
- Poland and Spain: 13.7%
- Bulgaria: 13.2%
- Greece: 12.7%
- Italy: 10.7%
Subscription penetration and local repertoire#
About 27% of EU residents use music subscriptions, though not always as the primary account holder, compared with 47% in the United Kingdom and 54% in the United States.
Domestic artists released an average of 53.5% of 2025’s year-end top-10 tracks in their home markets, compared with 46.8% for the rest of the world. Acts from other EU countries contributed a further 5.2%.
2026 deal activity#
In 2026, Sony Music has acquired Germany’s Fame Recordings, France’s Spookland, and Denmark’s One Seven Music, along with the catalog of Sweden’s Sound Pollution Songs.
Late last month, Warner Music, owner of the Mökkitie Records catalog, partnered with Austria’s Tonherd and launched Warner Records Germany, with longtime Warner Music Central Europe executive Lea Londa leading the label.
