The top clothing importing countries in Europe are Germany, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Italy, and Poland, which together account for 73% of all apparel imported into the European Union. This guide sets out the verified figures for Europe’s largest clothing importers, where each one buys its clothing from, how the sourcing map is changing, and what it means for brands choosing a supplier. All figures are for 2024, from Eurostat data published by CBI, the Dutch government’s Centre for the Promotion of Imports.
Top 10 Clothing Importing Countries in Europe (2024)
| Rank | Country | Apparel Imports 2024 | 5-Year Average Growth | Share From Developing Countries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Germany | €39.1 bn | 3.6% | 47.6% |
| 2 | France | €23.2 bn | 1.9% | 44.7% |
| 3 | Spain | €19.6 bn | 2.8% | 63.6% |
| 4 | Netherlands | €17.9 bn | 2.7% | 61.2% |
| 5 | Italy | €17.0 bn | 3.8% | 43.7% |
| 6 | Poland | €14.6 bn | 14.7% | 29.3% |
| 7 | Austria | €7.1 bn | 3.7% | 12.4% |
| 8 | Belgium | €7.0 bn | -2.6% | 47.0% |
| 9 | Denmark | €4.7 bn | 3.6% | 60.4% |
| 10 | Sweden | €4.6 bn | 2.8% | 50.5% |
Source: Eurostat, 2025, as published by CBI (Netherlands Enterprise Agency). Growth is the average annual growth in import value, 2019 to 2024.
Many of these figures include re-exports. The Netherlands, for example, is a large importer and exporter without a large clothing industry of its own, because Rotterdam acts as a gateway for goods entering Europe. So the largest clothing importers in Europe are also, in several cases, distribution hubs for their neighbours, and clothing importers in Europe often buy through them rather than directly.
Which Country Imports the Most Clothing?
Measured as a bloc, the European Union imports the most clothing in the world: according to the World Trade Organization, it accounted for 34.3% of global apparel imports by value in 2024. The United States is the largest single importing country, with 15%. Within Europe, Germany is the country that buys the most clothes from abroad, at €39.1 billion in 2024, well ahead of France and Spain.
Where Europe Buys Its Clothing
Just over half of the EU’s apparel imports, 53.7%, come from other EU countries, often as re-exports, and 46.3% come from outside the EU. China, Bangladesh, and Türkiye supply 27.8% of all EU apparel imports between them, and India is the fourth-largest supplier from outside the EU.
| Supplier (outside EU) | Exports to EU 2024 | Share of All EU Apparel Imports |
|---|---|---|
| China | €23.0 bn | 12.8% |
| Bangladesh | €17.9 bn | 10.0% |
| Türkiye | €9.1 bn | 5.1% |
| India | €4.1 bn | 2.3% |
| Vietnam | €3.9 bn | 2.2% |
| Cambodia | €3.7 bn | 2.1% |
| Pakistan | €3.3 bn | 1.9% |
| Morocco | €2.7 bn | 1.5% |
Source: Eurostat, 2025, as published by CBI.
Europe’s Largest Clothing Importers, Country by Country
Here is where each of the six largest clothing importers in Europe buys its apparel.
Germany
Germany imported €39.1 billion of apparel in 2024, about half from within the EU and half from outside it. Its biggest suppliers are Poland (14.2%, much of it re-exports), China (12.1%), Bangladesh (11.5%), the Netherlands (9.9%), and Türkiye (7.4%), with India at 2.3%. German buyers have strict chemical and sustainability requirements, including the Grüner Knopf label. For German suppliers, see our guide to German clothing manufacturers.
France
France imported €23.2 billion in 2024. China is its largest supplier (15.4%), followed by Italy (13.2%) and Bangladesh (8.8%), with India at 3%. France is a competitive volume market with growing chemical and sustainability rules. See our guide to clothing made in France.
Spain
Spain imported €19.6 billion, with the highest share from developing countries of the top six, at 63.6%. Bangladesh (15.3%) and China (15%) lead, followed by Morocco (8.4%). Much of Spain’s import volume is driven by large fast-fashion retailers based there. See our guide to clothing manufacturers in Spain.
Netherlands
The Netherlands imported €17.9 billion, with China its largest supplier at 19.9%, the highest China share among the top six, followed by Germany (16.1%) and Bangladesh (12%), with India at 3.3%. It is Europe’s key distribution hub and is actively diversifying away from China.
Italy
Italy imported €17.0 billion, led by China (13%), Spain (12.1%), and France (8.7%). Many Italian brands produce close to home, and the share bought from developing countries has fallen by 7 percentage points since 2019.
Poland
Poland imported €14.6 billion and grew fastest of the top ten, at 14.7% a year since 2019. Germany supplies almost a third of its imports, and Poland is becoming a distribution hub for Central and Eastern Europe.
What This Means for Brands Choosing a Supplier
Three trends stand out across the clothing importing countries in Europe. First, European buyers are diversifying away from China: its share of EU apparel imports fell from 15.1% in 2019 to 12.8% in 2024, and that business is moving to countries such as Bangladesh, Vietnam, India, and Pakistan. Second, rules are tightening. EU legislation on ecodesign, extended producer responsibility, green claims, and due diligence, along with a Digital Product Passport for textiles planned from 2027, means suppliers must be able to prove what they claim. Third, Nordic markets pay more: Denmark had the highest clothing and footwear prices in the EU in 2024, 43% above the average, and Scandinavian consumers pay for quality and sustainability. For Nordic brands, see our guide to Swedish and Nordic clothing companies, and for nearby production, our guide to clothing manufacturers in Portugal.
Our recommendation
If you supply or source for Europe, plan for diversification and documentation: spread production beyond a single country, and choose suppliers who can prove fibre content, chemical compliance, and certification. India is already the EU’s fourth-largest outside supplier and is strongest in cotton knitwear. We produce cotton and organic cotton knitwear in Tirupur for European brands, with certified production through our GOTS, OEKO-TEX, and Sedex partner factories, from 300 pieces per colour per style. Send us your tech pack for a sampled quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country imports the most clothing?
The European Union, as a bloc, is the world’s largest apparel importer, with 34.3% of global imports by value in 2024. The United States is the largest single country, with 15%. In Europe, Germany imports the most clothing, at €39.1 billion in 2024.
Which country buys the most clothes in Europe?
Germany, with €39.1 billion of apparel imports in 2024, followed by France (€23.2 billion), Spain (€19.6 billion), the Netherlands (€17.9 billion), and Italy (€17.0 billion).
Where does Europe import clothing from?
About 53.7% of EU apparel imports come from other EU countries, often as re-exports, and 46.3% from outside the EU. The largest outside suppliers are China, Bangladesh, and Türkiye, followed by India, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Pakistan.
How much clothing does India export to the EU?
India exported €4.1 billion of apparel to the EU in 2024, 2.3% of all EU apparel imports, making it the fourth-largest supplier from outside the EU.
Which European clothing import market is growing fastest?
Poland, with average growth of 14.7% a year between 2019 and 2024. It is becoming a distribution hub for Central and Eastern Europe.
About the Author: Karthik Shan
Karthik Shan is the founder and CEO of The Synerg, with 20+ years in the Tirupur textile hub. He publishes practical playbooks for brands on fabric GSM, costing (CM/CMT), AQL quality standards, and export-ready production.