Cost of Living in Europe for British Expats in 2026

One of the most common questions before moving abroad is: "What will it actually cost to live there?" It is also one of the hardest to answer accurately — costs vary dramatically by location within a country, by lifestyle, and by housing choice.

This guide provides realistic, current estimates for five popular European destinations for British expats: Portugal, Spain, France, Malta, and Cyprus. All figures are for a couple living comfortably — not luxuriously, but not frugally either. We use ranges rather than precise numbers because the variation within each country can be significant.

Costs are quoted in euros unless otherwise stated. At current exchange rates (which vary — always check the current rate), approximate sterling equivalents can be calculated.

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UK Baseline

Before covering the destinations, a brief baseline. A couple living in a mid-sized UK city (not London) outside the South East, owning their home, spending moderately, might typically budget:

• Housing (mortgage or rent): £1,000–1,800/month depending on location
• Utilities and council tax: £350–500/month
• Food and groceries: £600–800/month
• Transport (two cars or public transport): £400–600/month
• Healthcare (NHS — zero direct cost beyond prescription charges): effectively zero
• Dining and leisure: £400–600/month
• Total: approximately £2,750–4,300/month (£33,000–51,600/year)

In London, costs are materially higher — £4,000–6,000/month is not uncommon for a comfortable lifestyle.

The comparison is useful: several European destinations offer a genuinely comparable or better lifestyle at lower cost, particularly if UK housing costs were high.

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Portugal

Portugal's costs have risen significantly over the past decade — particularly in Lisbon and the Algarve, which have experienced strong property price growth and increased demand from international buyers and digital workers. The interior of Portugal and the north remain noticeably more affordable.

Lisbon and Porto

• Rent (2-bedroom apartment): €1,800–2,800/month (central or near-central)
• Utilities (electricity, water, broadband): €200–300/month
• Food and groceries: €500–700/month (supermarkets are generally cheaper than UK equivalents)
• Transport (car or public transport): €200–350/month
• Healthcare (private health insurance for couple): €200–400/month
• Dining and leisure: €400–700/month
• Total estimate: approximately €3,300–5,250/month

Algarve

• Rent (2-bedroom apartment in a town; not a premium resort): €1,200–2,200/month
• Utilities: €180–280/month
• Food: €450–650/month
• Transport (car essential in most of the Algarve): €250–350/month
• Healthcare: €200–400/month
• Dining: €300–550/month
• Total estimate: approximately €2,580–4,430/month

Inland Portugal (Alentejo, Silver Coast towns)

• Rent: €700–1,300/month
• Utilities: €160–250/month
• Food: €400–600/month
• Transport: €200–300/month
• Healthcare: €200–350/month
• Dining: €250–400/month
• Total estimate: approximately €1,910–3,200/month

Note on healthcare. Portugal has a public health system (SNS). Legal residents can access it, but waiting times can be long for non-urgent care. Most expats supplement with private health insurance.

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Spain

Spain is the most popular European destination for British expats and spans enormous variation — from expensive Barcelona and Madrid to very affordable inland towns. The Costas (del Sol, Blanca, Brava) fall somewhere in between.

Barcelona and Madrid

• Rent (2-bedroom apartment, reasonable area): €2,000–3,200/month
• Utilities: €200–300/month
• Food: €550–750/month
• Transport (Metro or car): €200–350/month
• Healthcare (private insurance, public system accessible as resident): €200–400/month
• Dining: €450–700/month
• Total estimate: approximately €3,600–5,700/month

Costa del Sol (Malaga, Marbella, Nerja)

• Rent (2-bedroom apartment, reasonable area): €1,200–2,400/month
• Utilities: €180–280/month
• Food: €500–700/month
• Transport (car useful): €250–400/month
• Healthcare: €200–400/month
• Dining: €350–600/month
• Total estimate: approximately €2,680–4,780/month

Inland Spain (smaller cities, rural areas)

• Rent: €600–1,200/month
• Utilities: €150–250/month
• Food: €400–600/month
• Transport: €200–350/month
• Healthcare: €150–350/month
• Dining: €200–400/month
• Total estimate: approximately €1,700–3,150/month

Note on healthcare. Spain's public healthcare system (SNS) is generally excellent. Resident British nationals who receive the UK State Pension can obtain an S1 certificate from the DWP, which allows access to Spanish public healthcare with costs charged back to the UK. This is a very valuable benefit — check eligibility before purchasing private insurance.

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France

France offers an extraordinary lifestyle for those who embrace the culture — food, wine, architecture, countryside — but it is more expensive than most of the other destinations on this list, and the non-EU status of British post-Brexit means additional bureaucratic hurdles.

Paris

• Rent (2-bedroom apartment): €2,500–4,000/month for a decent central area
• Utilities: €200–350/month
• Food: €600–900/month
• Transport (Metro): €200–300/month
• Healthcare (private, as supplement to French system): €200–400/month
• Dining: €600–900/month
• Total estimate: approximately €4,300–6,850/month

Dordogne and rural southwest

• Rent or mortgage (house rather than apartment): €700–1,500/month
• Utilities: €200–350/month
• Food: €500–700/month
• Transport (car essential): €250–400/month
• Healthcare: €200–400/month
• Dining: €300–500/month
• Total estimate: approximately €2,150–3,850/month

Côte d'Azur (Nice, Antibes, Cannes)

• Rent (2-bedroom apartment): €1,800–3,500/month
• Utilities: €200–300/month
• Food: €550–750/month
• Transport: €200–350/month
• Healthcare: €200–400/month
• Dining: €500–800/month
• Total estimate: approximately €3,450–6,100/month

Note on healthcare. France has an excellent healthcare system. Legal residents are typically enrolled in PUMA (Protection Universelle Maladie) after three months of residence, with a modest income-based contribution. Most expats also hold a mutuelle (top-up insurance) to cover the portion not reimbursed by the state.

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Malta

Malta is small — the total land area is comparable to a mid-sized English town — but it offers EU membership, English as an official language, a Mediterranean climate, and a non-dom tax regime that can be advantageous for those with foreign income.

Valletta, Sliema, and St Julian's

• Rent (2-bedroom apartment): €1,400–2,200/month
• Utilities: €200–350/month (electricity in Malta can be expensive)
• Food: €500–700/month (imported goods can be pricier than mainland Europe)
• Transport (car or bus): €200–300/month
• Healthcare (private): €200–400/month
• Dining: €350–600/month
• Total estimate: approximately €2,850–4,550/month

Other areas of Malta and Gozo

• Rent: €900–1,500/month
• Utilities: €180–300/month
• Food: €450–650/month
• Transport: €150–250/month
• Healthcare: €200–400/month
• Dining: €300–500/month
• Total estimate: approximately €2,180–3,600/month

Note. Malta's island size means that many people know their neighbours and the community is close-knit — which some love and others find limiting. Gozo (the smaller sister island) is quieter, cheaper, and offers a more rural lifestyle.

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Cyprus

Cyprus holds a special place for British expats — it has more British residents than anywhere else in Europe outside the UK itself, a legacy of colonial history and military bases. English is very widely spoken; driving is on the left; the legal system follows English common law.

Limassol

• Rent (2-bedroom apartment): €1,600–2,800/month (Limassol has become significantly more expensive)
• Utilities: €200–350/month
• Food: €500–700/month
• Transport (car useful): €200–300/month
• Healthcare (private — GESY public system plus top-up): €200–400/month
• Dining: €400–700/month
• Total estimate: approximately €3,100–5,250/month

Paphos

• Rent (2-bedroom apartment or small house): €900–1,600/month
• Utilities: €180–280/month
• Food: €450–650/month
• Transport: €180–280/month
• Healthcare: €200–400/month
• Dining: €300–550/month
• Total estimate: approximately €2,210–3,760/month

Larnaca and Famagusta region

• Rent: €800–1,400/month
• Utilities: €160–260/month
• Food: €420–620/month
• Transport: €150–250/month
• Healthcare: €200–400/month
• Dining: €250–450/month
• Total estimate: approximately €1,980–3,380/month

Note on GESY. Cyprus's General Health System (GESY) covers legal residents for a modest contribution. Standards are broadly adequate for routine care; specialists in major hospitals are generally competent; critical or highly specialist care may be better sought in Nicosia's better-equipped hospitals or in the UK. Private health insurance as a supplement to GESY is recommended.

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Summary Comparison

Location	Monthly Cost Estimate (couple)
UK (mid-sized city, not London)	£2,750–4,300
Lisbon / Porto	€3,300–5,250
Algarve	€2,580–4,430
Inland Portugal	€1,910–3,200
Barcelona / Madrid	€3,600–5,700
Costa del Sol	€2,680–4,780
Inland Spain	€1,700–3,150
Rural France	€2,150–3,850
Malta	€2,180–4,550
Limassol, Cyprus	€3,100–5,250
Paphos / Larnaca, Cyprus	€1,980–3,760

The clearest savings are available in inland areas of Portugal and Spain, and in Paphos or Larnaca in Cyprus, where a comfortable lifestyle can be had for noticeably less than equivalent UK costs.

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Figures are indicative estimates as of mid-2026. Exchange rates, inflation, and local market conditions will affect actual costs. Always research current rents and prices in your specific target area before making plans.

How Global Investments Can Help

Global Investments is operating internationally and has advisers across the international markets we work in. We help British nationals plan the financial side of their move to Europe — from tax and pension planning to investment strategy and healthcare insurance. Contact us to arrange a conversation.