The chaos of finding housing in Europe often leaves many frustrated. The crisis has been an issue in many countries, leading to protests in Spain and leaving homeless students searching for housing in the Netherlands. Despite local attempts to improve the situation with housing, searching for housing in some places can be a very tough and frustrating experience.
Nevertheless, there are still some solutions for expats, digital nomads and people willing to relocate. Whether renting or willing to purchase, finding the accommodation that best suits our needs is a top priority for anyone on the housing market. This post is about this, giving a brief overview of cities in Europe that actually have sufficient housing and are able to offer affordable housing opportunities.
Let’s dive right in:
Brussels
Brussels has a unique housing market characterized by relatively affordable prices compared to other European capitals. There are many available opportunities around depending on the area one would like to live in, and the market is non-competitive … that is, there are sufficient units and prices are stable. As one of there European Union administrative centers, Brussels is home to a large expat population. Monthly rates for renting a one-bedroom apartment are around 1,000 euro and vary depending on the location, energy label and other factors.
Recently, the Brussels region approved a rent cap in order to fight excessive rents, reported The Brussels Times. According to left-wing parties in the city, the measure is going to give an advantage to residents who are suffering from excessive rents.
Although it may not be so hard to rent in Brussels, purchasing a property in the region is a different story. The price per square metre highly depends on the location and it can range between 2,600 euros to 4,500 euros. Therefore, an apartment in the European Quarter or Uccle can be rather pricy in comparison to one in Molenbeek or Anderlecht, which are less attractive.
You can see a market survey here from CBRE.
See more about living in Brussels here.
Vienna
Another city, that provides a more non-competitive housing market is Vienna. The Austrian capital is a hub for social housing and according to Euronews, about 50 percent of the city’s residential real estate is managed and co-owned by the city council.
Consequently, many people can benefit from affordable rent. In addition to this, Vienna frequently ranks as one of the most liveable cities in the world. In fact, in 2024, the city was on top of The Economist Intelligence Unit’s Liveability Index, a ranking of 173 cities worldwide, for the third year in a row. Many
factors contribute to the city’s performance. Vienna received perfect scores for stability, healthcare, education and infrastructure, states the European Investment Bank.
In Vienna, the proportion of renters is as high as 75 percent. Austria’s homeownership rate is much lower than the 80-percent average in other EU countries, though it’s similar to Germany and Switzerland.
The high prevalence of renting, however, is not a sign of market failure, but a deliberate policy that aims to prioritise access to quality housing.
A crucial part of the Austrian approach is the idea of Limited-Profit Housing Associations. These are property owners mandated to serve the common good by providing rental accommodation at rates typically 25-percent below the market value. One hundred eighty-two of these independent entities own as much as 40 percent of Austria’s rental homes. The system ensures that middle-income earners, often squeezed out of the private market, have access to stable, long-term housing.
One-bedroom apartment in the city centre is likely to cost around 1,000 euros while outside of the centre it would be closer to 700 euros. While renting in Vienna is very accessible, purchasing a property could be tough. The price for a square metre in the city centre is about 8,747 euros while outside of thcity centre it drops significantly to 5,653 euros.
Varna
For expats, Bulgaria is a haven with great nature, warm summers and a plethora of housing opportunities. The average price of housing per square metre is 1,495 euros, which brings a one-bedroom apartment of 50 square metres to the price of 74,750 euros. Renting a property in the city is also rather affordable. For instance, one-bedroom apartment in the city would cost around 445 euros per month, while living outside of the centre is going to be around 335 euros.
While these prices could be really low for expats, this is not always the case for the local population. This is the case because the minimum wage in Bulgaria equals 551 euros, according to the latest data from the European Commission .
The rental market in Varna offers a wide choice of different opportunities for everyone’s taste. Additionally, housing in the city is more affordable than in the capital, Sofia, which makes it a more attractive destination for expats and locals. However, prices have been rising in recent years, especially in the coastal and central areas.
Bucharest
Not so far from Varna, the Romanian capital, Bucharest, is another lively location where expats can find ample housing. Rental prices for a two-bedroom apartment in Bucharest can range from 350 euros to 800 euros per month. However, this highly depends on location as it affects the price. Therefore, a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre can cost between 400 euros and 700 euros, according to investropa.
Despite some issues, such as a lack of high-quality properties and increased competition, the market’s robust growth and high demand for rental properties present excellent opportunities for both investors and renters. For investors, this is a good sign as the high demand for rental properties presents an excellent opportunity for high rental yields. For renters, the wide range of properties available means that there’s something to suit every budget and lifestyle.
As of early 2025, the average listing price in Bucharest was 1,862 euros per square metre, which reflects a 15-percent annual increase, according to the Global Property Guide. This means that a one-bedroom apartment of 50 square metres would cost about 93,100 euros.
Warsaw
Another location, where one can find housing is Warsaw, Poland. Despite, high market demand, there are lots of listings. For example, at the beginning of December 2024, developers offered a record number of apartments – as many as 57,000 units, an increase of 54 percent compared to the end of 2023, according to the Royal Garden Wilanow.
Housing affordability remains one of Poland’s most attractive features, especially compared to Western European markets. In Warsaw, the average cost per square metre stands at 2,200 euros, significantly lower than in Berlin or Paris, where prices exceed 5,000 euros and 11,000 euros, respectively.
Poland’s rental market has also shown consistent trends. Across the country’s seven largest cities, rental prices saw a modest 1.5 percent year-on-year increase, mirroring patterns from earlier quarters, while declining slightly— by 1 percent —on a quarterly basis, reports Polskie Radio. For mid-sized apartments (40–60 m²), rents average 2,700 zloty (628 euros) per month outside of Warsaw, whereas the capital commands higher rates, averaging PLN zloty (861 euros). Notably, Warsaw’s rental prices remained stable compared to the end of 2023, reflecting a gradual cooling of the once-heated market.
Read more here about Warsaw as an expat center.
Coimbra, Portugal
Coimbra, one of Portugal’s oldest and most culturally rich cities, offers a notably affordable and accessible housing market compared to larger urban centres such as Lisbon and Porto. Home to the country’s oldest university — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — Coimbra has long attracted students, academics and history lovers alike.
This academic influence strongly shapes the rental landscape: there’s a steady supply of apartments geared toward both students and long-term residents, with the rental market remaining relatively competitive. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages about 530 euros per month, while similar units outside the centre can go for approximately 380 euros.
For those looking to buy, property prices are equally inviting. The average cost per square metre stands at about 1,410 euros. This offers a wide range of options from historic flats near the university to newer developments on the outskirts.
Coimbra’s balance of heritage, liveability, and affordability makes it a standout example of a city that still has actual housing — not just real estate.
Conclusion
Even though there are challenges with the housing market on a global level for several reasons, being strategic and doing research before making a move is essential. Researching the cost of living and the job market is the other essential requirement.
However, if you are a digital nomad, the above-mentioned cities should be a good option. Not only do they offer affordable housing option, but they also offer the chance to explore new culture that may – in other circumstances – be neglected.
Polya Pencheva
Polya Plamenova Pencheva is a young Bulgarian journalist based in Brussels, Belgium. Polya holds a Master's degree in journalism from Rijksuniversiteit Groningen and loves writing and telling the untold stories of interesting people. You can find her dining at cute café, shopping at markets, scouting second-hand shops or just chillin' at home with something great to read.
