Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Living overseas

Whether you're considering emigrating or an expat abroad, you'll find likeminds on this forum.

Original poster

Does anywhere in the EU have affordable housing??

68 replies

KookyNotOoky · 03/01/2023 20:23

So after years of being shafted by landlords and letting agents I'm looking to buy this year, and we all know the issues with the UK's housing market.

As I now work from home 100% and with my Irish passport on it's way, I'm seriously considering moving to an EU country, given the above and the general poor quality of life on offer here.

Are there any countries in the EU where decent housing is actually affordable? I don't want a flat - just a basic two-up two-down house or similar would suit me. Ireland would be the obvious choice due to linguistic/cultural similarity, however their housing market is as bad if not worse than Britain's. Scandinavia appeals though I understand cost of living is high. I like Spain also, however I understand most of the housing stock is flats. Holland is nice and convenient for trips home, however I understand housing is quite expensive there also. A bit wary of eastern Europe tbh due to unreliable legal system in many countries.

Any advice appreciated.

ps. this is a thread about housing, not Brexit - not interested in getting into that debate.

OP posts:
windmill26 · 03/01/2023 22:41

Italy,France,Portugal,as long as you don't want to live in one of the major cities or tourist spots. Smaller towns can definitely offer more houses than apartments.

newstart1234 · 04/01/2023 13:10

Denmark, Jutland specifically. Rurally, not near any city, decent houses start at 25-30k (£), suburban houses start at 60-150k, in a city houses start at 200k. A very nice house in the nicest areas are about 400k. You have to pay wealth tax though but that's substantially less than council tax in the uk for most.

newstart1234 · 04/01/2023 13:12

You'll need to be employed in Denmark though I think to get a residence permit. It's not hard to get a job though if you're motivated.

RockaLock · 04/01/2023 13:15

No idea about housing costs, but if you are employed by a UK company you would have to check that they are happy for you to live abroad, as there could be tax/other implications for the company as well as for you personally.

whattodo1975 · 04/01/2023 13:18

There is plenty affordable housing in the UK, but it might not be in a location that is as exciting as you want it to be.

Eustonia · 04/01/2023 13:21

Not all of Ireland. My youngish relatives have bought decent houses in the Cork area without parental help.

wisbech · 05/01/2023 11:49

Greece - outside Athens and not on a tourist island.

Best bet would be the Baltic nations though (again, not in the capital cities) Plus, english is a common 2nd/ 3rd language. Legally much more 'solid' than Bulgaria/ Romania

Hoppinggreen · 05/01/2023 11:52

Where do you live now?
There may be cheaper areas in The UK, don’t blame you if you want to leave but it might not be as straight forward as you think for your job

gemloving · 05/01/2023 11:52

Germany.

ChristmasCakeAndStilton · 05/01/2023 11:58

Will your company permit working for home if not UK domiciled? It can create tax issues, so check that out too.

What sort of price are you looking for?

ACynicalDad · 05/01/2023 12:00

Estonia looks like a really forward thinking country, I know nothing detailed but it would be on my list to investigate if I was in your situation.

Hoppinggreen · 05/01/2023 12:01

gemloving · 05/01/2023 11:52

Germany.

Really?
I have found housing pretty expensive in Germany

blankittyblank · 05/01/2023 12:03

Just FYI, you can't work for a UK company abroad for more than 3 months, as then you'll have to start paying tax in both countries. So if you're moving permanently you'll need to find a job in that location.

But I think Berlin is pretty cheap? Although, no idea how easy it is to buy there. Easy to live if you speak English, and loads of work there.

maddy68 · 05/01/2023 12:04

Spain does. Not in the cities but rurally they are cheap.

Crikeyalmighty · 05/01/2023 12:09

Having just come back from Denmark, you can't just rock up OP and decide to live there. I know you don't want to get into the Brexit debate but I'm afraid it's in the mix. Every country has very specific rules for non EU nationals post Brexit. Some will mean you have to have a job in place, some will have rules that if you work for yourself you need about £30k in the bank , some allow digital nomad visas if you earn over £30k- but only a year at a time. Eire ironically has none of these so is an easy option , but not particularly cheap housing. Some also have rules about non EU and house buying too

SmokeyPaprika · 05/01/2023 12:20

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/116149193#/?channel=RES_BUY

But visit the village first.

Crikeyalmighty · 05/01/2023 12:21

Denmark by the way is incredibly strict. Last year they sent a Brazilian chef back even though he had a job and family because he was earning under a certain amount. The problem is as well that the UK are still not on many countries 'preferential list' for immigrants either whereas places like the US are- mainly because the UK hasn't reciprocated. Spain is actually quite easy provided you have income over £30k as a couple or £20k single and 'don't' need a job in the Spanish employment market for at least a year - you also need private health cover. This can be pensions, royalties, investments - work earnings from non Spanish sources are a bit of a grey area - but lots have got away with it.

SmokeyPaprika · 05/01/2023 12:24

oops the second has the wrong details - it's not Biggar

Poppitt58 · 05/01/2023 12:28

Denmark by the way is incredibly strict

The op is an EU passport holder. Surely they can live in an EU country without a permit?

BaronessBomburst · 05/01/2023 12:29

I think anywhere has affordable housing if you choose to live somewhere unpopular. Anywhere attractive with good facilities and transport links will be dearer than a hamlet with no shops, doctor or school.
What are your minimum requirements? How near to you need to be to an airport, hospital, supermarket etc?

FinanceLPlates · 05/01/2023 12:32

Presumably OP would want to buy/move to an EU country with her Irish passport, so would qualify as an EU citizen in that respect.
However Brexit does come into it potentially if the employer is in the UK. My employer for example was happy for me to work remotely from an EU country before Brexit but not after.

thisplaceisweird · 05/01/2023 12:33

Spain has plenty of houses in suburbs of cities or even rurally.

newstart1234 · 05/01/2023 12:37

Those properties seem expensive to me Smokeypaprika - were they supposed to be affordable? One of the good things about estate agents abroad is they generally advertise the houses' floor space and the price per square metre. I imagine those cottages would be quite expensive per square metre.

As an EU national the OP would be able to live in and look for work in Denmark for 6 months. If they found a job there they could stay but if they didn't find anything there they'd lose their residency rights, so there are hoops to jump through but not insurmountable ones. It is brutal though, I've been aware over the years of some really awful cases of people being deported.

thesurreymum · 05/01/2023 12:41

Poland!

Swipe left for the next trending thread