Working abroad has become a popular choice for many due to several reasons, such as better salaries, exposure to different cultures, and the desire for fresh sea air. However, those who plan to work abroad within the EU should be well-informed about the expenses.
According to a recent study by Neobank Bunq, digital nomands in London and Dublin bear the highest cost of living, with average expenses of around 3,258 and 2,908 euros per month, respectively. The study compared apartment rent costs, public transport, co-working spaces and offices, electricity, and mobile internet in 27 EU capitals and Great Britain.
Romania Performs Best in the EU Cost Comparison
The average cost of living in Bucharest for digital nomads is 935 euros per month, which includes rent, public transport, and other additional expenses. Among all capital cities in the EU ranking, Bucharest is the cheapest. Rent for a one-room apartment in Bucharest costs only 417 euros. Budapest comes in second with a living cost of more than 1,091 euros. If you are looking for a sunny destination, Athens is the third-cheapest city, where non-residents pay around 1,191 euros per month.
Digital nomads and expats in London should pay three times more than in Bucharest. The cost of living in London, including expenses for co-working spaces, is an impressive 3,258 euros. Even employees who do not use co-working spaces must pay the most in England, at 3,014 euros per month. Within the EU, Dublin, Luxembourg City, and Copenhagen can be expensive, with their capitals following with 2,908 euros, 2,544 euros, and 2,482 euros, respectively.
Among digital nomads, Amsterdam, Berlin, and Paris are the most popular EU capitals. However, these destinations are also among the most expensive ones. The budget of 2,368 euros is required to make ends meet in Amsterdam, followed by Berlin with 2,150 euros. In Paris, digital nomads face costs of 2,140 euros.
Luxembourg, Dublin, and Copenhagen
Whether renting a fully equipped private office or a shared workspace, working as a digital nomad in Luxembourg is expensive. On average, a rate of about 400 euros per month should be expected. The same goes for Dublin and Copenhagen, where costs are much higher than the EU average of around 213 euros per month. Digital nomads and expats expect to pay about 317 euros per month in these two capitals. It is cheaper in London, but the monthly costs are still above the EU average at around 244 euros.
Bucharest stands out not only for having the lowest overall costs but also for offering affordable prices for both shared and private workspaces. Mobile workers from abroad pay around 132 euros in the Romanian capital. Warsaw and Tallinn secured the second and third places, respectively, in the EU comparison, with prices of 138 euros and 140 euros.
In Luxembourg, Public Transport Is Free to Use
Luxembourg is known for its high cost of living for expats and digital nomads, significantly higher than the EU average. However, the city has a few advantages that make up for it. For instance, in 2020, all public transport fares were abolished. Regarding mobility tariffs, Luxembourg is the leading country in the EU, followed by the Czech Republic and Poland. Visitors to Prague pay slightly under 21 euros for a monthly ticket, while those in Warsaw pay 25 euros. With its 49-euro ticket, Berlin falls precisely on the EU average.
On the other hand, London has particularly expensive transport tariffs—the monthly stamp for zones 1 and 2 costs 180.94 euros for adults. Dublin, Copenhagen, and Paris follow with high prices of 155 euros, 101 euros, and 84 euros respectively, making the Irish capital the most expensive in the EU.