Cheapest countries to live in Europe: five destinations to compare

How to compare the cheapest countries to live in Europe

A lower national price level can help you identify destinations to research, but it does not tell you what your household will spend. Rent, income, healthcare eligibility and family needs can change the result considerably.

This guide keeps five destinations from our original selection: Turkey, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Romania and Montenegro. They are presented for comparison, not as a definitive ranking from cheapest to most expensive. Europe and the European Union are also different geographical groups.

Eurostat’s June 2026 release compares 2025 consumer prices across 36 European countries. It is a comparison of national price levels, not a ranking of expatriate living costs or quality of life. Bulgaria had the lowest overall price level in the EU, at 37% below the EU average.

Read Eurostat’s comparative price levels of consumer goods and services for the methodology and reference year.

1. Turkey

When comparing Turkey with other destinations, build a budget for a specific city and neighbourhood. A home in Istanbul, a property in Ankara and accommodation in a coastal resort are different comparisons. Use current long-term rental listings rather than an older national or city-wide average.

If your income is paid in sterling or euros, test how exchange-rate movements could affect your spending. Keep a separate allowance for rent reviews, utilities and unexpected expenses instead of assuming that a favourable exchange rate will last.

Check the immigration permission required for your activity before relocating. A visitor stay should not be treated as permission to live or work indefinitely, and a remote-working arrangement does not by itself establish a tax exemption.

UK passport holders can check the current entry requirements for Turkey on GOV.UK.

2. North Macedonia

North Macedonia is worth including in a budget comparison if you are considering a move to south-eastern Europe. Start with the city where you intend to live, then compare housing, transport and access to services against your income.

For Skopje or another location, check actual commuting routes and current fares. A low public transport price is only useful if the service meets your needs; needing a car can change the calculation.

Before relying on a quoted tax rate or investment incentive, obtain advice on whether it applies to your residence status, income and activity. Tax treatment is separate from the right to stay or work.

3. Bulgaria

Bulgaria’s position in Eurostat’s 2025 price comparison makes it a useful starting point for research. However, the national index is not a promise that your rent or monthly budget will be 37% lower than elsewhere.

Compare a realistic selection of properties in your chosen area, including deposits, heating, building charges and commuting. Check whether the quoted rent is for a long-term tenancy and what it excludes.

Access to state healthcare should be checked before the move. GOV.UK explains routes for UK nationals, including registration and contributions or an eligible S1 arrangement. Do not assume that residence alone makes every treatment free or that private providers are covered.

Read the UK government’s guidance on healthcare for UK nationals living in Bulgaria.

4. Romania

Romania is another destination to investigate when everyday spending is a priority. Eurostat’s 2025 food and non-alcoholic beverage comparison placed Romania at 80% of the EU average. This is a grocery-related indicator, not a complete monthly budget.

See Eurostat’s comparative food price data for the categories covered.

Compare housing in the place where you would actually work or study. Include utilities, travel and any childcare or school fees. A single monthly estimate cannot reliably describe a student sharing a flat, a family or a person using private healthcare.

For employment or remote work, verify your permission to undertake the activity, expected take-home income and social security position. Do not build a relocation budget around an assumed exemption on foreign earnings.

5. Montenegro

For Montenegro, compare your chosen coastal or inland location using current rental offers. Ask whether a tenancy is available throughout the year and whether the price or availability changes seasonally.

If you plan to work remotely, check the current residence route and its conditions directly with the authorities. Avoid treating a headline visa duration as a guarantee of uninterrupted residence, work rights or tax-free income.

Calculate the full annual cost, including travel, utilities, healthcare and any permit-related expenses. Comparing an off-season rental with a year-round tenancy in another country can give a misleading result.

What should your monthly relocation budget include?

• Housing: rent, deposit, agency charges where applicable, utilities and internet.

• Daily spending: groceries, transport, household items and leisure.

• Family needs: childcare, education and travel to visit relatives.

• Healthcare: mandatory contributions, insurance premiums and likely out-of-pocket costs.

• Administration: residence documents, translations and professional advice where needed.

Compare these expenses with income after applicable taxes and contributions. Someone paid from overseas may reach a different conclusion from someone earning a local salary. Keep one-off moving costs separate from recurring expenditure and allow for a financial reserve.

Healthcare costs: why a lower-cost destination still needs planning

Your access to healthcare depends on your status and local rules. Confirm when any public cover starts, which providers it includes and whether you need to contribute or register. For a move from the UK, check destination-specific guidance rather than relying on arrangements for a holiday.

Our guide to navigating healthcare when living abroad can help you prepare the right questions.

An international health insurance policy may cover eligible treatment within its terms. Compare hospital and outpatient benefits, excesses, limits, exclusions and geographical cover. Confirm how it fits with any mandatory local arrangements and whether assistance or medical evacuation is included.

Learn how international health insurance works before comparing policies.

You can also explore healthcare costs across the world when planning your budget.

How to choose a destination that fits your budget

Shortlist cities, request current housing quotations and confirm your legal and healthcare position. Then compare an annual budget using the same assumptions for each destination. This is more useful than choosing a country solely because it appears at the top of a low-cost list.