You might be wondering which European country leads the charge on fiber optic penetration. Well, the 2025 rankings are in, and they sure deliver some surprises. Portugal sits comfortably at the top with an impressive 81.9% of households subscribed to fiber. Close behind, Spain records 80.8%, while Romania clocks in at 76.5%. France, our home turf, takes fourth place at a solid 75.4%.
That said, it isn’t just about the subscriber rate. Some nations punch above their weight despite limited resources, while others lag far behind even with strong infrastructure funding. This year’s leaderboard gives us a candid look at where Europe thrives and where it still stumbles when it comes to bringing ultra-fast gigabit speeds to homes.
Why Portugal Takes the Crown
Portugal’s crown isn’t a fluke. Over the past few years, the Portuguese government teamed up with private players to slash the digital divide, aiming for 100% gigabit-ready coverage by 2030. Their secret sauce? A mix of public grants, streamlined permits, and cross-industry partnerships that turbocharged rollout in both urban centers and remote villages.
On top of domestic investments, Portugal leveraged its Atlantic coastline to host a web of submarine cables linking Europe to North America, Africa, and beyond. Today, the country boasts over thirty datacenters, including one of the world’s largest in Covilhã. By doubling as a global data hub, Portugal not only serves local users but also attracts traffic and investments from around the globe.
France’s Fiber Story: Coverage, Speeds, and Plans
France may not top the subscription rank, but it leads in sheer eligibility. Over 90% of French households can plug into fiber, thanks to early large-scale deployments and network sharing among operators. The mutualization strategy helped providers clear regulatory hurdles, accelerating the rollout across cities and rural areas alike.
Still, things haven’t always gone smoothly. The ambitious France THD plan, which set out to deliver 100% fiber coverage by the end of 2025, has faced delays and budgetary struggles. Even so, our country remains a model for coordinating public and private funds. And with speeds up to 1 Gb/s widely available—and faster 5 Gb/s options emerging—French users are enjoying some of the continent’s most reliable connections.
Those Missing the Fiber Boat: Belgium, Germany, Greece, Austria
At the bottom of the heap, we find countries stuck in a fiber free-for-all. Belgium comes in at just 10% penetration, closely followed by Germany at 11.2%, Greece at 11.3%, and Austria at 12.3%. Despite boasting decent fiber networks in city centers, these nations struggle to extend services to suburban and rural zones.
Several factors play into this lag. In some regions, political will is lacking, and operators shy away from high deployment costs in sparsely populated areas. Old-school copper lines still cling on thanks to legacy plans and consumer indifference. When you add limited financial incentives and complex permitting processes, it’s no wonder fiber expansion stalls.
Looking Ahead: Fiber’s Future in Europe
So what’s next for Europe’s fiber ecosystem? For starters, the race to multi-gigabit speeds is heating up. As 5 Gb/s and even 10 Gb/s packages hit market trials, countries will be judged not just by coverage but by the quality and affordability of their plans. Consumers will demand more than just raw speed—they’ll want low latency and rock-solid reliability for gaming, streaming, and remote work.
On the policy front, expect more public-private partnerships to bridge coverage gaps. The European Commission’s Gigabit Society initiative is pushing member states to hit full gigabit readiness by 2030, backed by billions in EU funding. For lagging countries, that’s a lifeline. And for leading nations, it’s a challenge to maintain momentum and deliver next-gen fiber services to every last home.
