Hermès Raises the Birkin Bag Price: What You Need to Know
Learn about the Hermès Birkin bag price increase in 2026, why prices are rising, and what this means for buyers and collectors.
Learn about the latest Hermès Birkin bag price increases for 2026.
Brief History of the Iconic Hermès Birkin Bag
When the Birkin was first released by Hermès in 1984 it retailed for roughly $2,000. Today, the Birkin remains one of the most recognizable and sought-after luxury handbags in the world, coveted by celebrities, seasoned collectors, and first-time buyers alike. The Birkin’s design originated from a chance meeting between Jane Birkin and then Hermès CEO Jean-Louis Dumas on a flight from Paris to London in 1984. Birkin shared her frustration at not being able to find a bag that balanced elegance with everyday functionality. From that conversation emerged the Birkin 40 in calfbox leather, defined by its two rolled handles, flap closure, clou feet, and signature lock and key. The earliest Birkin was also the only version produced with a shoulder strap, a feature later removed as the design evolved.
More than four decades on, the Birkin’s appeal is rooted in its craftsmanship, limited production, and the deliberate scarcity maintained by Hermès. These factors have allowed the Birkin to transcend fashion cycles and sustain demand even as prices rise year after year.
Hermès Birkin Bag Price Increase 2026 Key Takeaways
| Birkin Bag Price Increase in 2026 | U.S. prices rose 6.3% to 7.9% in January 2026; Europe 7.3% to 9.4%. |
| Factors Driving Price Increases | Increases follow tarrif-related U.S. adjustments in 2025 and limited production, brand prestige, currency fluctuations |
| Birkin 25 Price 2026 | $13,500 (U.S.) vs. €9,600 (Europe) |
| Birkin 30 Price 2026 | $14,900 (U.S.) vs. €10,600 (Europe) |
| Birkin 35 Price 2026 | $16,300 (U.S.) vs. €11,600 (Europe) |
| Secondary Market Impact | Average Birkin 30 price at Sotheby’s ~$22,300 in 2025; Birkin sales grew over 70% in 2025 versus 2024. |
| Collector Appeal | High demand persists due to exclusivity, craftsmanship, and rarity. |
How Much Does a Birkin Bag Cost in 2026?
The cost of a Birkin bag has changed again in 2026. While Hermès has raised prices steadily since introducing the Birkin in 1984, the long-term compound annual growth rate (CAGR) remains approximately 5%. Recent years, however, have brought sharper annual adjustments, prompting renewed discussion about how high prices may ultimately climb.
In the U.S., the Birkin 25 in Togo leather increased from $12,700 to $13,500, representing a 6.3% increase. The Birkin 30 rose from $13,900 to $14,900, increasing 7.2%, while the Birkin 35 increased from $15,100 to $16,300, reflecting a 7.9% rise. The Birkin 40 now retails for $20,300, firmly placing it above the $20,000 threshold.
In Europe, pricing has also moved higher. The Birkin 25 in Togo leather increased from €8,950 to €9,600 in 2026, a 7.3% increase. The Birkin 30 rose from €9,800 to €10,600, an 8.2% increase, while the Birkin 35 climbed from €10,600 to €11,600, reflecting a 9.4% increase. Although European prices remain lower than U.S. prices, the gap has narrowed slightly compared with earlier years.
Based on pricing trends over the past five years, many collectors are now asking whether the Birkin 30 in Togo leather could exceed $20,000 at retail within the next several years. While the idea of a $20,000 leather handbag once seemed extreme, it is increasingly aligned with Hermès’s current pricing trajectory.
How Have Birkin Prices Changed Over Time?
Birkin 25 Price History
| Year | USD | Change | Euro | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | $9,400 | 0.0% | €5,900 | 0.0% |
| 2019 | $9,850 | +4.8% | €6,600 | +11.9% |
| 2020 | $9,850 | 0.0% | €6,800 | +3.0% |
| 2021 | $9,850 | 0.0% | €6,800 | 0.0% |
| 2022 | $10,100 | +2.5% | €7,400 | +8.8% |
| 2023 | $10,400 | +3.0% | €8,050 | +8.8% |
| 2024 | $11,400 | +9.6% | €8,600 | +6.8% |
| 2025 | $12,100 | +6.1% | €8,950 | +4.1% |
| May 2025 (U.S. Only) | $12,700 | +5.0% | — | — |
| 2026 | $13,500 | +6.3% | €9,600 | +7.3% |
The Birkin 25 has become one of the most in-demand sizes, particularly among collectors favoring compact proportions. In 2025, the Birkin 25 in Togo leather retailed for $12,700 in the U.S. following tariff-related increases earlier that year. In 2026, the price rose to $13,500. In Europe, the same bag increased from €8,950 to €9,600 in 2026. While the price increase in Europe has historically been smaller than in the U.S., it remains less expensive to purchase a Birkin 25 in Europe. Hermès does not attempt to normalize prices globally, a policy that continues to shape international buying patterns.
Birkin 30 Price History
| Year | USD | Change | Euro | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | $10,900 | 0.0% | €7,000 | 0.0% |
| 2019 | $10,900 | 0.0% | €7,550 | +7.9% |
| 2020 | $11,000 | +0.9% | €7,750 | +2.6% |
| 2021 | $11,000 | 0.0% | €7,750 | 0.0% |
| 2022 | $11,300 | +2.7% | €8,150 | +5.2% |
| 2023 | $11,600 | +2.7% | €8,900 | +9.2% |
| 2024 | $12,500 | +7.8% | €9,400 | +5.6% |
| 2025 | $13,300 | +6.4% | €9,800 | +4.3% |
| May 2025 (U.S. Only) | $13,900 | +4.5% | — | — |
| 2026 | $14,900 | +7.2% | €10,600 | +8.2% |
Prices for the Birkin 30 in Togo leather increased again in 2026, rising from $13,900 in 2025 to $14,900 at Hermès boutiques in the United States. In Europe, the price moved from €9,800 to €10,600 over the same period. As U.S. prices continue to climb faster than European prices, the pricing gap between the two regions has widened further, reinforcing the Birkin 30’s role as a benchmark for both retail and resale markets.
What Are Secondary Market Prices for Birkin Bags?
Secondary market prices generally follow primary market increases for Hermès bags, though often with a lag of 6 to 12 months. Sotheby’s data illustrates how resilient demand for the Birkin has remained despite rising retail prices. Birkins are the most popular handbag category at Sotheby’s, with overall sales growing more than 70% in 2025 and increasing 95% since 2023.
Prices have also moved higher. The average price for a classic Birkin 30 in Togo leather at Sotheby’s reached $22,300 in 2025, representing an increase of 6% from 2024 and 9% from 2023. Pristine Birkin 25 and Birkin 30 models continue to trade around $28,000 to $30,000 on Sotheby’s marketplace, reflecting a secondary market premium of 2.4x retail pricing.
As 2026 retail prices take effect, secondary market pricing is expected to adjust gradually rather than dramatically. Demand continues to be strongest for pristine examples in classic colors and widely collected sizes. If Hermès continues to raise prices at a similar pace, resale values are likely to follow, although the premium to retail may compress modestly as the base price rises.
While no other luxury brand currently competes directly with Hermès at this level of demand and scarcity, the evolution of Birkin pricing remains a central question for collectors. For now, both boutique and secondary market data suggest that higher prices have done little to weaken the Birkin’s position at the top of the luxury handbag market.
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