Expert Advice

Working abroad is increasingly popular for those seeking higher income, new experiences, or cultural immersion. For expats within the EU, London ranks highest in cost of living, with an average monthly expense of nearly €3,258, followed by Dublin at €2,908, according to bunq, Europe’s second-largest neobank. Their study compared costs in 27 EU capitals and the UK, including rent, transportation, coworking spaces, and utilities.

Most Affordable EU Capitals for Expats

1. Bucharest, Romania
– Average Monthly Cost: €935
– Rent for One-Room Apartment: €417

Bucharest tops the list as the cheapest EU capital for expats, with a low average monthly cost covering rent, public transportation, and utilities.

2. Budapest, Hungary
– Average Monthly Cost: €1,091

Budapest ranks second, offering a low cost of living for expats.

3. Athens, Greece
– Average Monthly Cost: €1,191

Athens is the most affordable southern European capital for digital nomads and expats.

Most Expensive EU Capitals for Expats

1. London, UK
– Average Monthly Cost: €3,258 (with coworking spaces), €3,014 (without coworking spaces)

London remains the most expensive, with substantial costs for both living and coworking spaces.

2. Dublin, Ireland
– Average Monthly Cost: €2,910 (with coworking spaces), €2,590 (without coworking spaces)

Dublin follows closely behind London in terms of high living expenses.

3. Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
– Average Monthly Cost: €2,544

Luxembourg City is also among the most expensive, but offers free public transportation since 2020.

Other Notable Cities

– Amsterdam, Netherlands: €2,368
– Berlin, Germany: €2,150
– Paris, France: €2,140
– Lisbon, Portugal: €1,685

These cities are popular with digital nomads but come with higher-than-average living costs.

Cost of Coworking Spaces

– Luxembourg City: €400/month
– Dublin: €317/month
– Copenhagen: €316/month
– London: €244/month (above EU average of €213)

Bucharest offers the most affordable coworking spaces at €132/month, followed by Warsaw (€138) and Tallinn (€140).

Public Transportation

Luxembourg leads with free public transportation. Prague and Warsaw offer the next most affordable options at €21 and €25 for a monthly ticket, respectively. Berlin is average at €49, while London (€181), Dublin (€155), Copenhagen (€101), and Paris (€84) are more expensive.