Do you dream of moving abroad? Here are the cheapest countries in Europe in 2023
People move abroad for many reasons: to start a new job, to get closer to family or simply to explore a new country.
But with the cost of living crisis looming, find one Cheaper lifestyle It became the first reason for the move.
some Europeans migrated southCut your heating bills and escape to warmer climes.
In many countries, expatriates, who are employed by foreign companies, find themselves with more purchasing power.
Where are the cheapest places to travel and what do residents think of the influx of relatively affluent travelers?
The cheapest places in Europe in terms of cost of living
Numbeo He collected data on the cost of living for each country in Europe: we are talking about the average rent, the cost of shopping, the prices of utilities and entertainment.
Cost of living isn’t the only consideration before you move, of course — security and other quality of life considerations are also key.
Here are four places to flirt with fancy.
Montenegro is ideal for rugged mountains and medieval towns
Montenegro boasts medieval towns, glacial lakes, the second-deepest valley in the world, and very low prices.
Numbeo gives the country a score of 38.9: by comparison, Switzerland – Europe’s most expensive destination – has an index of 114.2.
These percentages represent a percentage of the destination’s cost relative to New York City, the search engine’s baseline.
So the prices in Montenegro are about 38.9% of the prices in New York, while the prices in Switzerland are 14.2% higher than in the Big Apple.
Digital nomads can apply for a two-year visa for Montenegro, with the option to extend for a further two years.
Prices in the capital of Montenegro, Podgorica:
Cheap meal: €6.40
Half a liter of beer: 2 euros
Monthly rent for a studio apartment in the city center: 372 euros
Portugal’s bars and beaches, big attraction
Portugal, with its sunny beaches and bustling cities, is the most popular digital destination in Europe.
Numbeo gives Portugal a cost-of-living index of 45.3.
Under the country’s new digital nomad system, remote workers will be able to live and work locally for up to 12 months.
To qualify, applicants must be paid at least €2,800 per month, four times the minimum wage in Portugal.
Prices in the capital of Portugal, Lisbon:
Cheap meal: 12 euros
Half a liter of beer: €2.50
Studio apartment in the city centre, monthly rent: 1207 €
Croatia national parks and ancient palaces
Sunny Croatia is slightly more expensive than Portugal, with an index of 46.7.
Beachside cities like Split and Dubrovnik, popular as “Game of Thrones” filming locations, raise average costs.
But the Balkan country is still a low-cost option for those intending expats.
Croatia began offering special non-EU digital workers visas in January 2021, allowing them to stay for up to one year and exempting them from income tax.
Prices in the capital of Croatia, Zagreb:
Economy meal: 9.80 euros
Half a liter of beer: €2.40
Studio apartment in the center, monthly rent: 560.25 €
Lithuania, Emerging Cities
Lithuania is popular with digital nomads, especially the young capital city of Vilnius, which boasts an abundance of co-working spaces. Numbeo gives it a score of 48.8.
Potential expats from the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, South Korea, New Zealand or Japan can apply for a simplified and fast-track visa, which can generally be obtained within two months.
Prices in the capital of Lithuania, Vilnius:
Cheap meal: 10 euros
Half a liter of beer: 4 euros
Studio apartment in the center, monthly rent: 720.83 €.
What do people think of digital nomads?
Low prices are great for digital nomads, but they can have range Negative impact on local communitiesThey suffer from relatively high prices and a shortage of housing.
It is worth noting that the average monthly salary in Podgorica is 628 euros, about a fifth of the average monthly salary in London.
Before moving abroad, do your research on how locals feel about expats and how you can ethically support the communities you plan to join.
Learning the local language is a great first step, especially since you can start before you even get to your destination country.
Knowing local customs is also a good thing: not only will this mean that you will feel more integrated, but also that you will not accidentally offend anyone with inappropriate behavior.
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