Accross Europe, "Erotica" sold 1.5 million copies in the first-week. In the United Kingdom, the album debuted at number two on the UK Albums Chart on October 24, 1992. It remained at its peak at number two for three weeks, being held off the top spot by Simple Minds' greatest hits collection "Glittering Prize 81/92", and a total of 38 weeks on the chart. The album was certified two times platinum on June 1, 1993, by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for shipments of 600,000 copies. In France, the album debuted at number one on the French Albums Chart on October 28, 1992, staying there for two weeks, then descending down the chart, selling a total of 250,000 copies. In Germany, the album reached the top five on the Media Control Charts and was certified gold for shipments of 250,000 copies. Initial shipments in Italy were 250,000 copies. In Sweden, the album debuted in its peak of number six and spent only seven weeks on the chart. Similarly in Switzerland, "Erotica" peaked number five and was certified gold by IFPI Switzerland. It also received a platinum certification in Spain and gold in Brazil. In total, "Erotica" has sold more than six million copies worldwide.