The Irish capital also holds the dubious title of having the most congested roads among 25 European capitals, with drivers spending an average of 36 minutes each workday stuck in traffic.

In total, Dublin drivers lose 158 hours annually during rush hours. With labour costs estimated at €40.20 per hour, this translates to a staggering €6,351.60 lost per driver each year.

Paris ranks second on the list, with drivers losing €5,064 annually to traffic, followed by Brussels, where the yearly cost is €4,898 per driver.

The study, conducted by European car parts marketplace Ovoko, analysed 2023 traffic data from TomTom across 25 European capitals.

Conversely, drivers in Bratislava (Slovakia), Madrid (Spain), and Ljubljana (Slovenia) experience the least traffic, averaging just 51 hours in peak time traffic over the year.

Vytas Palovis, VP of Growth at Ovoko, expressed surprise at Dublin’s ranking: “It’s quite shocking that Dublin ranks so highly, considering it’s one of the least populated capital cities in the EU.

“With residents spending 36 minutes in traffic every workday, it’s clear that Dublin’s urban infrastructure is ill-suited to its population. Significant changes are needed.”

Palovis also highlighted Paris, noting its unique challenges: “Traffic in Paris often stems from protests, which are common across the city. Alternative routes are limited, so if you’re visiting, plan for extra travel time, especially during rush hours.”