Wondering which are the cheapest EU countries to live in? Especially if you can work remotely or are a digital nomad. Then these cheapest European countries to live in should be your starting point for all your research!
Locals who live in some countries in Europe like Malta, Greece and Hungary sometimes get frustrated when people say it’s cheap to live there. However, it is a fact when compared to countries like Britain and Ireland.
There are quite a few that are the cheapest EU countries to live in that not only provide a decent standard of living but where your money goes far and you can do so without exploiting the system.
Here’s the info on 12 cheap countries in Europe to live in including average expenses for accommodation, food expenses and why you should pick one over the other.
When you do narrow down on a country make sure you research the area you choose to settle down as with every country there are some areas that could be safe and unsafe.
Also make sure you give back to the locals – buying local produce, and ensuring you invest in tours run by locals are just some of the ways. Read on for detailed info.
Cheapest EU countries to live in – based on the lowest cost of living in Europe
Poland
This country in central Europe is known as the seventh biggest country in Europe. It is also one of the most economically advanced countries in Europe. Poland is considered one of the most visited countries by travellers and expats. Polish cities are filled with diverse cultural & historical identities, parks and medieval towns, making them the best place to live in.
The best part of living in Poland is the Polish hospitality, fantastic food and well-developed local transport and connectivity. Poland also offers handsome paying jobs in almost all fields.
If you wish to move to Poland, taking up teaching English as a foreign language can be a great source of side income since less than 35% of English-speaking people are in the country.
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Best cities to live in: Apart from Warsaw, the capital city, other good towns in Poland that you can consider living in include Torun, Krakow, Poznan, and Lodz.
Note that not all areas of a particular city can be equally safe and affordable to live in. However, you can move to cities that offer good jobs, cost less and are moderately safe.
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Cost of living: Poland is one of the cheapest places to live in Europe. The cost of living in most cities of Poland is significantly lower. You can expect to live a comfortable life in Poland for less than $1000 per month. This cost covers decent accommodation, food and travel expenses.
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Safety: Poland is generally a safe country for locals and foreigners, with very low crime rates. However, there happen some street crimes, thefts and racial attacks once in a while. Foreigners are recommended to be alert and well-aware of local happenings.
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Climate: Poland experiences four seasons namely Autumn from September to November; winter from December to February; Spring from March to May; and Summer from June to August. You may expect extreme climatic conditions in the sunny, rainy and winter seasons (below 0 degrees).
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Famous For: Ceramic art, food dish- Pierogi, ancient forests and wildlife, The Baltic Sea, The Bledow Desert, Polish mannerisms, Polish vodka, etc.
Hungary
A country located in the Carpathian Basin, Hungary is divided into three parts: Transdanubia, Trans-Tisza, and the plain between rivers Danube and Tisza. The sections result from two rivers Danube and Tisza that pass throughout Hungary’s geography.
Hungary is considered one of the most beautiful countries and one of the cheapest countries in Europe to live in. Hungary is also known for its classic UNESCO-listed world heritage sites, history and culture.
The country is also famous for its rich wildlife, national parks, forests, vegetation, hills and valleys. Hungary is one of the countries in Europe with the lowest GDP and hence one of the cheapest countries to live in Europe.
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Best cities to live in: Budapest, Hungary’s capital, is one of the most beautiful places in Europe and surprisingly a city full of opportunities. Other good cities to live in Hungary include Sopron, Szeged, Eger, Keszthely, etc. Almost all cities are equally peaceful offering you a comfortable lifestyle.
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Cost of living: If you are expecting a luxurious lifestyle, some parts of Hungary may not be for you. However, if you are comfortable living filled with all the basic needs by your side with some fun included, $1000 should be enough in most cities.
The capital Budapest along with other major cities can be considered if you’d prefer a more lavish lifestyle.
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Safety: Hungary is considered a very safe place to live for foreigners and travellers. The crime rate is significantly low.
- Climate: Hungary experiences hot and dry summers but mild winters. The average annual temperature in most parts of Hungary is about 10 degrees Celsius.
The Hungarian seasons include winter from December to February, Spring from March to May, Summer from June to August, and Autumn from September, to November.
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Famous For: The birthplace of the Rubik’s cube inventor Erno Rubik, Hungary is also famous for thermal spas, food dishes- Goulash, the Hungarian Paprika, wine, Lake Balaton, Buda Castle, Matthias Church, etc.
Georgia
Georgia is a small European country located at the intersection of Eastern Europe and Western Asia. Popularly known for its beautiful black sand beaches, mountain villages, and lush greenery, Georgia is indeed gorgeous!
Tbilisi, its capital city is known for its vast architectural wealth, beautiful towns and cuisine. This country, the birthplace of Martin Luther King is diverse and also the cheapest European country to live in if you wish to move out.
Georgia is not a country with great job opportunities locally but is one of the world’s best retirement destinations and also a fab spot if you’re a digital nomad!
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Best cities to live in: Georgia has some of the best places to live in Europe. Roswell, Columbus, Telavi, Kutaisi, Atlanta, Zugdidi, etc. are some of the best cities in Georgia that welcome you with open arms.
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Cost of living: The cost of living in Tbilisi is comparatively higher as compared to the rest of the cities in Georgia. Overall the transportation, food and accommodation are affordable in Georgia, making it suitable to live in at a minimum cost of $800-$900 per month.
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Safety: Georgia is considered a safe city in Europe for tourists and expats. Tbilisi is one of the safest places in Georgia to live.
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Climate: The climate in the western part of the country is subtropical, while in the eastern part it has a dry continental climate. The overall climate in Georgia is partly sunny and cloudy and you may expect almost no snowy days.
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Famous For: The Georgian wine, Kutaisi- one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world, Vardzia- the 6000-room cave city, the UNESCO-world heritage sites, diverse ecology, etc.
Romania
It is a country placed in the southeast region of Europe. Popularly known for its dense forests in Transylvania and the Carpathian mountains, Romania is also home to the world’s most beautiful medieval towns.
It is a small country and also one of the cheap places to live in Europe that speaks English. The hospitality of the Romanian people is indeed heart-melting, enough to make you fall for the country’s beauty, in and out!
Quite famous for its affordable and insane internet speeds, Romania is one to consider if you mostly work online. If history, monuments and architecture impresses you Romania is one of the most affordable places to live in Europe.
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Best cities to live in: Cluj-Napoca, Brasov, Timisoara, Bucharest, and Sighisoara are some of the best cities to live in Romania based on safety and cost of living.
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Cost of living: Bucharest is the costliest city to live in Romania.
However, the cost of living in most other cities in Romania is between $500-$600 per month. You can expect to live a comfortable life with decent accommodation, good food and transport.
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Safety: Romania is one of the safest and most peace-loving countries in the world. Tourists and foreigners consider living in Romania for its safety and low crime rate.
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Climate: Romania experiences heavy & frequent snowfalls from December to February, mild spring from March to May, hot and dry summers from June to August, and moderate rainfalls from September to November.
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Famous For: Romania is a beautiful country famous for its castles, ancient towns, monasteries, dense forests, the Black Sea, the Romanian wine, etc. Bran Castle also known as Dracula’s Castle is one of the most famous places in Brasov, Romania.
Portugal
It is a world-famous and one of the most popular tourist spots in Europe, especially for tourists looking for a budget-friendly relaxing holiday. Despite being a huge tourist hub, Portugal is amazingly the cheapest city in Europe to live in; that is beautiful and welcoming.
Portugal is located in southern Europe and is a country that serves some of the best food dishes on earth! In addition, it is a country peppered with ancient history and architecture. So, if you are looking for an affordable EU country to move in, Portugal is for you.
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Best cities to live in: Lisbon is one of the best cities in Portugal to live in. It is also the most considered city by most foreigners to stay in. Apart from that, Braga, Madeira, Portimao, Porto, and Algarve are also some of the best and cheapest place to live in Europe.
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Cost of living: The average salaries in Portugal are slightly on the lower side. However, the average living costs, considering house rent, travel and food, range between €300 to €400 per month. It is quite an affordable city for such beautiful surroundings it has to offer!
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Safety: Though significant crime rates are low, minor thefts, bag snatching, and pickpocketing are common in tourist spots and crowded places of major cities.
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Climate: Portugal has all seasons of moderate nature with almost no extreme climatic changes. The overall climate differs from place to place in Portugal but the average temperature ranges between 17 to 30 degrees Celsius year-round.
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Famous For: Portugal is a superb country known for its fresh seafood, Port wine, Fado music, relaxing beaches, elegant golf courses, football, etc. It is one of the best options currently quite popular with digital nomads and remote workers, especially Americans.
Slovenia
Slovenia is a central European country known for its magnificent nature, forest cover, mountains, and water bodies. Ljubljana the capital city of Slovenia is known for its architecture and culture.
Slovenia is a world-famous tourist place known for landscape photography and adventure. If you visit this country, you will be amazed by the people of this country as they walk you through their history, traditions, culture and food.
Slovenia is one of the most wonderful places to live that is jaw-droppingly affordable. Slovenia is for you if you want to move to a picturesque location in Europe. This country has the lowest cost of living in Europe and is hence preferred by folks from various countries worldwide.
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Best cities to live in: Ljubljana, the capital city is undoubtedly one of the best places to live in Slovenia. Other cheap places to live in Europe, located in Slovenia are Novo Mesto, Kranj, Trencin, Trencin, Maribor, etc.
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Cost of living: The average cost of living for one person ranges between $700 to $750 per month. It includes a decent stay option, basic grocery and intercity travel.
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Safety: Slovenia is ranked among the top 5 safest countries in the world for travellers, locals and expats.
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Climate: Slovenia experiences three climates across the country, namely mountain climate also known as Alpine weather, sub-mediterranean, and continental. The average temperature ranges between 0 to 12 degrees Celsius.
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Famous For: Dramatic scenery, ski resorts, scenic lakes, castles, etc. Slovenia is almost an untouched place on earth and hence astonishingly beautiful and serene.
Spain
Spain is a diverse country with 17 autonomous regions and a great history and culture. Known as a country of architectural wonders, it is also one of the most affordable places to live in Europe.
Spain is short of nothing; beaches, monuments, beautiful streets and marketplaces, the best of the cuisines, and even career opportunities! Spain has some of the world’s most beautiful cities, famous for scenic beaches, forests, markets and food.
Whether you are a traveller or a foreigner looking for the best country in the EU to move in, Spain is surely going to catch your eye.
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Best cities to live in: Barcelona and Madrid are the top best cities to live in Spain. Living here could be a bit expensive as compared to other Spanish cities. Other good cities to live in Spain include Valencia, Malaga, Seville, Santander, San Sebastian, etc.
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Cost of living: Spain is considered a cheap country in Europe to live in. However, considering the other cheapest EU countries on the list, Spain could be on the higher side. To live a comfortable life in Spain, you would need at least $2000. However, if you choose to live a modest life, you can even make a living with $1000 inclusive of average accommodation, two meals a day, and travel.
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Safety: Though Spain is considered one of the safest countries in Europe, local thefts, pickpocketing, etc. sometimes occur at the tourist spots. However, there aren’t any severe crimes constantly happening around in any Spanish city.
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Climate: Spain experiences mild and rainy winters and sunny summers in most cities. Mountain areas experience snowfall during some parts of winter. Some cities in Spain including Galicia, Basque Country, and Navarre have snowfall from December to April.
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Famous For: Exotic beaches, tapas, Flamenco, Spanish cuisines, architectural monuments, and jaw-dropping scenery.
The Czech Republic / Czechia
A landlocked country in central Europe, The Czech Republic is a country known for its world-famous architectural works, castles, mansions, greenery and forests.
This country of the original Budweiser beer is considered the most affordable country to live in Europe due to low rates of accommodation, food, transport and other services.
It is one of the top EU countries by expats because Czechia offers more than the average pay for almost all jobs. So, if you are someone looking to move to a beautiful and modern country that offers a high quality of life, Czechia is for you!
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Best cities to live in: Some of the best cities to live in Czechia include Ostrava, Kolin, Kladno, Zlin, Brno and Prague.
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Cost of living: You will need $300 to $800 to live comfortably in most cities. The cost varies from city to city and the quality of life it offers.
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Safety: While most cities are safe to live in Czechia, Prague has higher rates of street crime and robbery. But there isn’t much risk of any violent or major attacks in the country.
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Climate: The country experiences all seasons namely winters, summers and rains and some can be quite intense. The winters are snowy, while summers can be hot.
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Famous For: Czechia is known for its famous UNESCO-listed world heritage site, Prague. It is also known for international companies like Deloitte and Zara and its beer manufacturing industry.
Estonia
Estonia is a beautiful city in Northern Europe with almost 1500 islands, the Baltic Sea surrounds Estonia on one side and the Gulf of Finland on the other. This region is popular for its dramatically beautiful beaches, forests, sunsets, lakes, castles, churches and so much more.
Estonia’s capital city Tallinn is known for its 314 m tall TV tower, museums and old town. This country is welcoming to foreigners, and its people are seen to speak a bunch of languages including English, Russian, Finnish and even German, French and Spanish.
Estonia is one of the cheapest EU countries to live in however it is on the higher side due to it being a well-to-do nation. It offers a fair amount of job opportunities in engineering, teaching and healthcare, making it a good choice to live for foreigners from different parts of the world.
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Best cities to live in: Tallinn, the capital city is known to be the centre of culture and commerce in Estonia. Tartu is considered the most distinctive city of all in a beautiful way and so a good place to live in Estonia. Other good cities to live in Estonia are Pärnu, Kihnu Island, Haapsalu, Tuhala, Saaremaa Island, etc.
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Cost of living: Estonia is an affordable country and probably the cheapest place in Europe to live. The overall cost of living for a person for transportation, meals, and accommodation is less than $900 per month however keep in mind this does not include rent.
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Safety: Estonia is a safe country with a low crime rate. However minor threats and thefts could be common.
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Climate: Estonia usually has warm summers with an average temperature of 21 degrees Celcius and severe winters with temperatures ranging from -8 degrees Celcius
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Famous For: Beautiful islands, the brilliance of nature, pretty Christmas markets, Estonian saunas and spas, religious practices and so much more
Croatia
A country located at the intersection of Europe’s central and southeast parts, it is a geographically diverse country with river valleys, mountains, plains, and orchards. Croatia has a rich historical background with varied tourist attractions across the country.
The country also boasts of beautiful architecture despite having built modern cities in the latest times. Zagreb, the capital city is known as the most modern yet very relaxed city in Croatia.
This country offers high-level jobs to foreign nationals in the fields of teaching, research, science and business. Travel, accommodation, and food is available at a considerably low price, making it one of the cheap countries in Europe to live in.
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Best cities to live in: Some beautiful and most affordable places to live in Croatia include Pula, Slavonski Brod, Sibenik, Rijeka, Kastela, etc.
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Cost of living: The average cost of living with rent, food and travel for a single person would range between $700 to $900 per month.
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Safety: Croatia is a very safe country to live in and has fewer thefts and crimes happening year-round. It is also regarded as one of the safest countries for women, travellers and foreigners.
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Climate: Croatia has all seasons with moderate climatic conditions. The summers are usually dry and hot while winters turn out cold and wet. Spring and autumn seasons are mild to moderate.
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Famous For: Croatia is known for its beautiful waterfalls, islands, beaches, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Lavender fields, football and of course tourism.
Italy
This country is a symbol of art, culture and cuisine. Italy is a European country with a Mediterranean coastline. Popular for world-class arts and talented artists, Italy is a popular tourist destination.
The country boasts beauty across landscapes and cities and is known for its fashion, culture and luxury brands. Italy is a country known for offering the best job opportunities in arts, literature, tourism, fashion and manufacturing.
The best part of moving to Italy is that it is one of the places with the lowest cost of living in Europe that also promises a high-quality life and work-life balance.
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Best cities to live in: Milan is at the top of the best cities in Italy list. Other good cities to live in, in Italy include Turin, Naples, Florence, Palermo, etc.
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Cost of living: In addition to being a lovely country, Italy is one of the cheapest EU countries to live in. You could live a decent and comfortable life with $800-$900 per month per person.
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Safety: Italy is a tourist place and also a safe place to live in. The country has a good security network with essential safety services for rescue if required, making it even safer. However, it is recommended to keep your valuables close to you in crowded places in larger cities.
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Climate: Usually spring and autumn are pleasant with temperatures ranging from 5 degrees Celcius to 28 degrees Celsius. The winters in Italy are however cold with -5 degrees Celsius to 15 degrees Celsius.
The summer season is reasonably hot and humid with a temperature of 18 degrees Celsius to 38 degrees Celsius.
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Famous For: Museums, Chapels, day trips, wine tasting, churches, relishing cuisines, libraries, literature, drama and so much more. It is also one of the most popular places in Europe for travellers because of the presence of cities like Venice, Burano, Murano, Siena and Rome to name a few.
Montenegro
This Balkan country is known for its mountains, medieval villages, beaches, churches, and wildlife. Montenegro is popularly known as one of the cheapest places to live in Europe that speak English and has a higher percentage of English-speaking population.
If you are someone, who is not interested in learning a new language to move to a new EU country, Montenegro is for you. It is a great tourist spot and also a country with an entrepreneurial mindset.
It is a great choice for people who wish to start businesses of their own in a foreign land. Finding a well-paid job in Montenegro could be a challenge though. It is to be noted that, moving to Montenegro, however, is not an easy thing to do.
Since the country is small with very few opportunities, the immigration laws are stricter than in any other place in the world.
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Best cities to live in: Budva and Kotor are the best cities in Montenegro. Other good cities are Tivat, Perast, Herceg Novi, etc.
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Cost of living: Most cities in the country offer affordable living with all basic amenities readily available at a low cost. An individual can live a great and happy city life for $700-$800 per month. You can even choose to have a modest life in the villages of Montenegro at an even lesser cost.
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Safety: Montenegro is a safe country to visit or live in. The crime rate is low and almost no incidences of violence and attacks are reported often.
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Climate: Montenegro has hot and dry summers from June to August with 25 to 30 degrees Celsius and moderately cold winters from December to February with 4 and 11 degrees Celsius. The Spring and Autumn seasons in Montenegro are moderate and pleasant
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Famous For: Montenegro is known for tourism, breathtakingly scenic nature, beaches, caves, beautiful mountains, lakes, historic sites, hospitality and food.
After visiting about 40-45 European countries I can safely say that all the European countries on this list are some of the cheapest EU countries to live in.
Estonia is probably one of the most expensive on the list, but it is also one of the most favoured by expats and digital nomads due to its digital nomad visa type.
Do note that many of the costs above include rents at the minimum for a single person and depending on the area you pick and how many people you’re looking for, prices may vary greatly; however, they are still the cheap countries in Europe to live. Hope you pick one that suits you best! Good luck with the move!
FAQs – Cheapest EU countries to live in
What is the cheapest English-speaking country to live in Europe?
The Balkan country of Montenegro can be a perfect option as it has a higher English-speaking population compared to other neighbouring countries. The cost of living is low in Montenegro and the crime rate is also less. But keep in mind that immigration laws are strict and high-paying jobs are limited.
How to live in Europe on a budget?
The best way to save money while travelling in Europe is to stay in hostels. Buses in Europe are usually cheaper than buying a Eurail pass. You can also walk around town centres and to nearby tourist attractions. Eat where the locals eat as it will help you try local cuisine at affordable prices. Opt for free walking tours when you visit a new city as many European cities arrange these free tours regularly. And the best way to live in Europe on a budget is to travel during shoulder season to avoid peak season price hikes.
Which is the cheapest Schengen country?
Slovenia is often considered one of the cheapest Schengen countries. The lower cost of living and the average cost of living is affordable including rent, grocery, transportation, meals, and other amenities. Estonia is also one of the cheapest Schengen countries offering several job opportunities.
Which EU country has the highest cost of living?
Switzerland is considered to be the country with the highest cost of living. Considering its central position in Europe, the average cost of living, as well as real estate prices, are the highest in Switzerland.
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