The Most Expensive and Least Expensive EU Countries to Live In in 2025: Eurostat Ranking

Eurostat has published data on the cost of living in the 27 EU countries for 2025. Find out where in the European Union it is cheapest to live, and how much rent and education cost in different countries

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New Eurostat data for 2025 revealed a significant difference in the cost of living among the 27 European Union countries. The top spot in the ranking came as a surprise to many: Denmark, not Switzerland as one might expect, was named the most expensive country in the EU.

Prices in Denmark are 40% higher than the EU average. Right behind it are Ireland (+36%) and Luxembourg (+32%). These three countries consistently rank as the top three in terms of the cost of daily living within the bloc.

Read also: How do public transportation fares in Europe compare to those in Kyiv?

The Cheapest EU Countries to Move To

For those looking for a more affordable option for moving within the EU, Bulgaria remains the most obvious choice: the basic basket of goods and services here costs 37% less than the EU average.

The top three most affordable countries also include:

● Romania—35% below the average;

● Poland — 27% below the average.

These countries consistently top the list of affordable destinations for Ukrainians considering a move to the EU.

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Where in the EU is rent the most expensive—and where is it the cheapest?

Housing costs are the biggest drain on the household budgets of most Europeans. And here, the gap between countries is particularly striking.

Ireland is the clear leader in rental costs: housing prices exceed the EU average by 90%. This makes Dublin and other Irish cities among the most financially burdensome places to rent in the entire bloc.

At the other end of the spectrum is Bulgaria: housing costs there are 59% below the EU average. For those looking for an affordable option for long-term living, this is a significant factor.

How do food prices vary across the EU?

Unlike housing, prices for food and non-alcoholic beverages vary relatively little across EU countries—fluctuations remain within 20% of the average. In other words, the basic food basket is roughly the same in most EU countries, and choosing a country to live in based solely on supermarket prices isn’t the best approach.

How do education costs differ across the EU?

Education is another category with a noticeable gap between countries. The most expensive education is in Luxembourg, where prices for educational services significantly exceed the EU average. In contrast, education in Romania costs less than half the EU average—a significant advantage for those planning to study or who have school-age or college-age children.

If you’re planning to explore Europe in your own car, don’t forget to purchase an electronic road vignette in advance: you can do this online through Visit Ukraine.

We remind you! A new analytical study of the real estate market has identified the least affordable cities in Europe for buying a home. Read where middle-income residents wait the longest for their own apartment and why prices are rising faster than salaries.

Photo: jcomp / Freepik

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