Europe, ranked on cost
The 14 countries we track in Europe, ranked by what a couple spends per month to live comfortably. Bulgaria is the cheapest at £1,200; Switzerland the most expensive at £5,100.
| # | Country | Modest | Comfortable | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bulgaria | £780 | £1,200 | £1,900 |
| 2 | Albania | £750 | £1,200 | £1,900 |
| 3 | Turkey | £1,150 | £1,800 | £2,900 |
| 4 | Montenegro | £1,300 | £1,800 | £2,750 |
| 5 | Croatia | £1,550 | £2,150 | £3,100 |
| 6 | Malta | £1,600 | £2,200 | £3,300 |
| 7 | Greece | £1,600 | £2,300 | £3,700 |
| 8 | Portugal | £1,700 | £2,400 | £3,800 |
| 9 | Spain | £1,800 | £2,500 | £4,000 |
| 10 | Cyprus | £1,800 | £2,500 | £3,800 |
| 11 | France | £1,700 | £2,500 | £3,800 |
| 12 | Italy | £1,900 | £2,700 | £4,300 |
| 13 | Ireland | £2,400 | £3,100 | £4,500 |
| 14 | Switzerland | £3,900 | £5,100 | £7,000 |
One of Europe's most affordable retirement destinations, with a mild Black Sea coast, mountains for hiking and skiing, and famously low costs. It adopted the euro in January 2026 and sits within the Schengen area.
Ownership: Foreigners can freely buy apartments and buildings in their own name, but under the constitution non-nationals cannot directly own the underlying land — a house with a garden is usually held via a Bulgarian company, or the building is bought separately from its plot. (EU citizens face fewer limits.)
Visa: Retirees typically apply for a long-stay (type D) visa and a renewable residence permit, showing a stable pension, adequate savings and Bulgarian health cover; buying property alone does not confer residency.
See which of these fits what you are actually after — four questions, two minutes.