Strangely I am from europe and traveled extensivly here in europe, but so far I only encountered them in australia, in a backpackers hostel.

But that might have been a reason, why I prefer my own tent now, instead of hostels when backpacking .. you never know who slept before you in that room and like others said, getting rid of bedbugs is not easy.

Never seen bedbugs in the UK, never known anyone with an infestation either. They're extremely uncommon.