Ultimate List of the Cheapest Place to Live in EU for Digital Nomads
In recent years, there has been more remote work opportunities and because of this new sense of freedom, many have been flocking to the cheapest place to live in EU.
Most digital nomads are freelancers, full-time employees of remote companies or have online businesses they operate from anywhere.
The growth of remote companies have also improved the income of many nomads, making this lifestyle, not just possible but also sustainable.
When lockdowns began to relax, several European territories offered digital nomad visas to remote workers.
Digital nomads have naturally gravitated to European cities because of high-speed internet, safety, closeness to parks, hiking trails, and the communities of expats.
As travel continues to normalize, you may be wondering where to go first as a digital nomad.
Today, we take a closer look at both famous and little-known European cities that are affordable for digital nomads.
Below is a list of the best European cities to live in for digital nomads and remote workers.
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1. Krakow, Poland
Poland may not be the first thing on your mind when scouting for the best European cities for digital nomads.
However, it is on our list because Krakow is rich in history, culture, architecture, and it competes with other EU cities in terms of quality of life, and is one of the cheapest place to live in EU.
You can have a relatively high quality of life with just $600/month, plus the rent.
Meals are cheap at $6 or less, wines typically cost $7 while cappuccinos are super affordable at $2.50.
Here is a breakdown of rent in Krakow, Poland:
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | $566.39 USD |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | $440.86 USD |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre | $1,052.9 USD |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | $717.69 USD |
Digital nomads will discover that Krakow is a popular center for history and entertainment.
The city is also home to medieval architecture, and you can also head over to the salt mine, the Wawel Castle, and boasts to have the best public square in the world.
Do you love bars and the nightline? Then Krakow may be the perfect place for you, since it is known for having the second-highest bar and nightlife density in the Europe.
2. Ljubljana, Slovenia
Compared to other European capitals, Ljubljana is relatively tiny.
Ljubljana provides equal access to both winter resorts and beaches.
While the cost of living plus rent is slightly higher than Krakow at $800, it’s still one of the best European cities to live in.
Here is a breakdown of rent in Ljubljana, Slovenia:
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | $690.87 USD |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | $502.04 USD |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre | $1,269.66 USD |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | $955.65 USD |
Ljubljana is a precious capital with lush hills and a river that flows into the heart of the city.
Digital nomads are often surprised at how quickly they get attached to this gem of a town.
It’s charming, historic and has a bit of everything that contributes to being one of the best European cities for digital nomads.
Despite the medieval architecture, Ljubljana is modern and has an excellent nightlife.
Head over to the Triglav National Park for some summer hiking or skiing during the winter months.
If you want some beach action, there are always the beaches in Croatia and Italy, which are relatively close to Ljubljana.
Making this city not only one of the cheapest place to live in EU but also close to many hot spots.
3. Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Plovdiv is best known for being the oldest city in the EU and is divided into two remarkable areas that are both excellent options for digital nomads traveling through Europe.
Compared to the rest of Europe, you can comfortably live in Plovdiv as a digital nomad for just $500 (excluding rent) making it one of the cheapest place to live in EU.
Here is a breakdown of rent in Plovdiv, Bulgaria:
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | $294.84 USD |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | $215.17 USD |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre | $484.53 USD |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | $335.67 USD |
Wine is also more affordable at $4 per bottle, and you’ll save on cappuccinos, at $1.20 per cup.
Plovdiv is also remarkable for its cute, rolling hills, and should you climb these hills, you will be treated with amazing city views.
Everyone loves a walkable city, and this destination will allow you to take a ton of strolls to explore.
The city center gives you access to charming shops and restaurants that will help fill your curiosity about Scandinavia.
The Kapana area is best described as bohemian, and you will find award-winning restaurants and exciting bars that will make your stay more fun and exciting.
The other side of Plovdiv is considered the old town. If you want to see homes from the era of the Bulgarian Revival, this is where you need to visit.
The old town is also home to elegant guest houses, art galleries, and fascinating museums.
4. Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen is a remarkable modern city, and is highly walkable, which makes it one of the best European countries for digital nomads.
If you love to stroll around, then Copenhagen would be the perfect place for you.
The cost of living in Copenhagen is higher than the three previous destinations we’ve mentioned.
If you have $1,200 for food and other basic needs (excluding rent), then you can live comfortably in this location.
Here is a breakdown of rent in Copenhagen, Denmark:
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | $1,200 USD |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | $850 USD |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre | $2,200 USD |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | $1,500 USD |
Copenhagen is well-organized, has a lot of sights to see, and the people are friendly to expats.
And if you love biking, then the city has even more to offer.
There are also many green spaces for everyone, and the local government has been funding efforts to attain carbon-neutral spaces.
As for the language barrier, Copenhagen is a place where you can freely converse in English with the locals.
There is also a growing expat community to expand your network in one of the best European countries for digital nomads.
5. Zagreb, Croatia
Our list of cheap digital nomad Europe cities, won’t be complete without Zagreb.
This destination features a charming, contemporary feel combined with traditional architecture.
In recent years, more adventurous digital nomads have made Zagreb their home base.
The cost of living is somewhere between Copenhagen and Plovdiv.
You can certainly live comfortably at $700, plus the rent.
Here is a breakdown of rent in Zagreb, Croatia:
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | $563.63 USD |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | $390.69 USD |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre | $920.38 USD |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | $640.80 USD |
Meals are slightly more expensive at $9/meal, but local wines make up for it at $6 per bottle.
Cafes will charge you around $2 per cup making it one of the cheapest place to live in EU.
Zagreb offers rustic, cobblestone streets packed with traditional eateries, cafes, and art shops.
The historical buildings here are all well-maintained and accessible. Be sure to visit the Zagreb Cathedral for authentic Gothic architecture.
Want to cook from home? Try the fresh produce at the Dolac Market.
Seaside visits are also accessible when you live in Zagreb.
This digital nomad Europe city constantly innovates and is the perfect choice for remote workers who want accessibility and the unique European lifestyle.
6. Malaga, Spain
Malaga has experienced significant growth in the past decade, making the city one of the best place to live in EU.
Modern Malaga has drawn digital nomads from all over the world.
If you have always wanted to live by the beach, then Malaga is the place for you.
For just $700 a month (excluding rent) and an average of $10 per meal, you can comfortably live in this beautiful beach town.
Here is a breakdown of rent in Malaga, Spain:
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | $798.74 USD |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | $602.89 USD |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre | $1,343.21 USD |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | $966.43 USD |
Spanish wines will set you back a mere five dollars, but the cafes are just as affordable as anywhere else in Europe.
Geographically, Malaga is surrounded by beaches on one end and mountains on the other.
This means more opportunities to enjoy hiking or swimming, which makes this truly one of the best places to live in EU.
Strolling through Malaga is a great way to see this beautiful city and experience the beautiful historic center.
Buildings with traditional architecture have all been updated, and Malaga boasts fantastic nightlife all year round.
If you like preparing your meals, you can always head over to the fresh produce markets around the city.
With all this city has to offer, it is truly one of the best and cheapest places to live in EU.
7. Porto, Portugal
Porto is frequently called the most picturesque city, and it has definitely lived up to the hype.
Porto is a seaside city, which means daily opportunities to be at the beach and living the ideal digital nomad lifestyle.
The culture and city life are also exciting, and if you want a quaint pocket of Portugal, Porto is a great option!
Porto is not a busy digital nomad city, but it’s a beautiful place to live in, and ideal for a quiet place to do some relaxation.
Here is a breakdown of rent in Porto, Portugal:
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | $824.78 USD |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | $588.71 USD |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre | $1,565.82 USD |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | $990.9 USD |
If you want to feel like a true bohemian, there’s always the Cais de Ribeira, where you can find excellent bars and restaurants to taste the local cuisine.
After a hard day at work, why not stroll across the city and discover the quaint gardens, museums, and churches.
But for many nomads who visit this city, they are often drawn to the beach and who can blame them!
With all of these incredible perks, Porto is truly one of the best and cheapest European cities to live in.
8. Vienna, Austria
The historic city of Vienna is one of the best places to live for digital nomads. It is scenic, modern, safe, and culturally diverse.
While it is not one of the cheapest European cities to live in, the cost of living is still pretty affordable compared to the major metropolitan cities in Europe.
Set aside $800 per month (on top of rent), and expect to pay an average of $12 per meal.
Here is a breakdown of rent in Vienna, Austria:
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | $1,025.64 USD |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | $772.14 USD |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre | $2,111.32 USD |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | $1,511.53 USD |
Having access to the famous Vienna State Opera is a huge perk for music lovers.
With so many things to do, be prepared to discover incredible cultural experiences while in Vienna.
The city also has many modern co-working spaces fit for the most demanding remote jobs.
These incredible benefits truly make Vienna one of the best place to live Europe.
9. Athens, Greece
Just the name of this city conjures timeless images of Greek mythology.
But Athens offers more than just legends which makes it in our list of the best place to live in Europe.
It is an ideal place for digital nomads because the cost of living is reasonable (just $750/month on average, plus rent), and it is the best place for history buffs, too!
Here is a breakdown of rent in Athens, Greece:
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | $850 USD |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | $632.99 USD |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre | $1,568.05 USD |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | $1,251.39 USD |
If you dream of visiting Greek ruins and living right next to exciting monuments, then Athens is a beautiful place to live as a digital nomad.
Although the city is surrounded by history, it also embraces modern conveniences which makes this a great hub for remote workers.
There are also open-air markets to visit that will allow you to experience local life in Athens.
10. Belgrade, Serbia
Belgrade has been called the Berlin of Eastern Europe.
The housing market is robust all year-round, and life here is simple and easy-going.
Belgrade is another city where you can comfortably live with just a thousand dollars a month.
The average cost of living here is just $550, and restaurant meals are cheap at $7, making Belgrade one of the cheapest place to live in EU.
Here is a breakdown of rent in Belgrade, Serbia:
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | $279.58 USD |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | $168.47 USD |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre | $578.17 USD |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | $245.7 USD |
The cultural scene is the biggest draw for many digital nomads, and could be the perfect place for you too!
The ten cities in our list are all great options for anyone looking for the most scenic and cheapest places to live in EU.
So whether you are looking for a stroll along the beautiful city of Belgrade or chill in Porto, Europe is a fantastic place for digital nomads.
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