Kindle Europe (EU)

Now that Amazon has released their popular wireless ebook reader to Europe, it's important to learn all the details before deciding to buy a Kindle International from Amazon for $259 USD. Wireless availability and ebook selection very between different countries, so here's a look at how this page works.

Kindle Europe

First off, you'll find all the countries in the European Union listed here, to make categorizing everything easier. Also, there is a bit of an overlap, as we have a dedicated page for the United Kingdom, so visit that page if that's where you make your home.

For all other countries in the European Union this page lists wireless coverage, ebook availability, total cost, and all the other details that you need to know. As far as pricing goes, all the countries in the EU will pay a slightly higher price for ebooks.

Most new release and bestseller ebooks cost $11.99 to $13.99 (VAT adds the extra $2), and the only other difference in price is the various import charges and duty fees associated with each country.

To learn more about the specifics of the device and to watch a video demo, visit the Kindle International review page, as this page your currently viewing covers the information specific to your regions.

These are the countries listed here on the Kindle Europe (EU) page: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.

Kindle Europe Content Details

Kindle Europe customers have access to approximately 330,000 titles from the Kindle Store, with nearly 100,000 priced under $5.99; the numbers differ slightly from country to country.

Like the US version, Kindle Europe users have the option to download content directly to the device itself using the free wireless service that connects to Amazon's online store. And if you live somewhere that doesn't have a wireless signal, or if it's your preference, you can download content to your computer and then transfer it to the device via USB cable.

Most ebooks from Amazon are English-language, but there are a few thousand foreign language titles too: Spanish, French, and German.

While Amazon offers a wide selection of titles, it's important to understand that a Kindle is a closed content device. You can't purchase ebooks from other major online sellers like with Sony Readers. Picking up the free wireless service, Amazon wants you to download books from them exclusively.

In addition, Amazon states that they are intending to set up the Amazon.co.uk website for a UK-centric Kindle store where you can purchase the device and books in sterling from there.

Also, you can find a number of websites that have free, non-DRM protected ebooks that will work on your Kindle just fine. One example is Project Gutenberg Europe and for German ebooks, Project Gutenberg DE.

Another website, MobiPocket, has nearly 10,000 free English ebooks along with approximately 100 free German language ebooks, 700 French, 275 Finnish, 170 Dutch, and several other languages too.

For more specific information regarding content—ebooks, audiobooks, newspapers, and magazines—visit our dedicated Kindle eBooks Page.

International Newspapers, Magazines

Amazon currently has 89 different newspaper subscriptions available, and all come with a 14-day free trial and automatic wireless delivery. Most deliver 5-7 days a week.

Here are some international newspapers Kindle Europe users can expect to receive: The Economist, The Times, Daily Mail, The Independent, and The Daily Telegraph.

Kindle Europe Newspaper
French Newspapers: Le Monde and Les Echos.

German Newspapers: Frankfurter Allgemeine and Handelsblatt.

Ireland: The Irish Times.

Spain: El País, Diariocritico, and AS.

Italy: Corriere Della Sera and La Stampa.

In addition, there are currently 43 different magazine and journal subscriptions. These four are some of the most popular: The New Yorker, Time, Newsweek, and Reader's Digest.

Free Wireless eBook Downloads

The free wireless gives Kindle Europe users access to Amazon's online store 24 hours a day. There are no monthly charges, contracts, or wireless fees for using it.

In addition, Kindle International users outside the US can access Wikipedia with the free wireless, but access to the internet with Kindle's experimental web browser is limited to a few countries, and it is unavailable in Europe at this time because of current cellular bandwidth issues and increased wireless costs. This is also the reason for the hefty file-transfer charges.

Of all 27 countries in the European Union, the only six currently without wireless coverage for Kindle International are: Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Malta.

On the map, dark purple is 3G coverage and light purple is EDGE/GPRS coverage.

Kindle Europe Wireless Coverage Map

Kindle International Total Cost in Euros

Until Amazon gets the UK site up and running with its own Kindle Store, all Kindle International orders and ebook purchases are processed in US currency. To get a better perspective of cost, here's a look at prices converted to euros.

Compared to other ebook readers on the current market, the Kindle International is very competitively priced.

$259 USD converts to about €174. And once you include the various fees and shipping charges, expect the Kindle International to cost a total of €225-€240*, and that doesn't include a cover (highly-recommended), which costs and additional €20 or so. The device comes with a USB cable and a US power adapter, so you'll need to charge the battery with the USB cable unless you get a plug adapter. A battery charge typically lasts two weeks.

*Total cost is an estimate of currency conversion rates and fees, and differs slightly by country. The best way to find the exact cost is to visit the Kindle International Product Page, add the item to your cart, enter your information, and then let Amazon show you what the exact charges are for your specific country before checkout.

Back To Top

Related Links: Homepage