Find your next work abroad destination

Discover how the cost of living in Europe’s top capitals is evolving—and how you can make smarter, more confident choices. The Working Abroad Index 2025 maps expenses so you can find your place in a borderless life.

Illustration of a hand holding a phone with bunq’s rainbow design, surrounded by passports, boarding passes, and a flying airplane, symbolizing international travel and digital banking.

Find your next work abroad destination

Discover how the cost of living in Europe’s top capitals is evolving—and how you can make smarter, more confident choices. The Working Abroad Index 2025 maps expenses so you can find your place in a borderless life.

Illustration of a hand holding a phone with bunq’s rainbow design, surrounded by passports, boarding passes, and a flying airplane, symbolizing international travel and digital banking.

Find your next work abroad destination

Discover how the cost of living in Europe’s top capitals is evolving—and how you can make smarter, more confident choices. The Working Abroad Index 2025 maps expenses so you can find your place in a borderless life.

Illustration of a hand holding a phone with bunq’s rainbow design, surrounded by passports, boarding passes, and a flying airplane, symbolizing international travel and digital banking.

bunq Working Abroad Index

With over 40 million digital nomads globally, the rising cost of living is increasingly relevant to location-independent workers. To help, we analyzed the 2024-2025 living costs across 27 EU capitals and London, covering essentials like rent, transport, groceries, electricity, mobile data, and co-working spaces. This gives you a clear view of monthly expenses before choosing your next work base.

Methodology

* This study analyzed average costs for rent, food, and utilities in 28 European capitals, using 2024-2025 data from Numbeo. Rent was based on one-bedroom apartments both inside and outside city centers. Utilities (electricity, heating, cooling, water, waste, internet) were calculated for an 85m² apartment. Workspace costs averaged prices from Regus and SpaceWorks, with six cities excluded due to lack of offers. Public transportation costs, excluding discounts, were sourced from official websites. Mobile internet costs included a minimum of 10 GB with 60 Mbps speed.


Methodology

* This study analyzed average costs for rent, food, and utilities in 28 European capitals, using 2024-2025 data from Numbeo. Rent was based on one-bedroom apartments both inside and outside city centers. Utilities (electricity, heating, cooling, water, waste, internet) were calculated for an 85m² apartment. Workspace costs averaged prices from Regus and SpaceWorks, with six cities excluded due to lack of offers. Public transportation costs, excluding discounts, were sourced from official websites. Mobile internet costs included a minimum of 10 GB with 60 Mbps speed.


Methodology

* This study analyzed average costs for rent, food, and utilities in 28 European capitals, using 2024-2025 data from Numbeo. Rent was based on one-bedroom apartments both inside and outside city centers. Utilities (electricity, heating, cooling, water, waste, internet) were calculated for an 85m² apartment. Workspace costs averaged prices from Regus and SpaceWorks, with six cities excluded due to lack of offers. Public transportation costs, excluding discounts, were sourced from official websites. Mobile internet costs included a minimum of 10 GB with 60 Mbps speed.


Key cost-trends 2025 vs 2024

Coworking just got affordable again

Flexible workspaces across Europe are finally matching how you live and work. They’re accessible, flexible, and easier on your budget, giving you more freedom to choose your next city.

Living abroad is becoming sustainable

Everyday expenses are levelling out, making it easier to plan ahead and stay longer. For expats and nomads, that means less stress and more time to focus on what matters most.

The gap between East and West is closing

From London to Sofia, the cost of living is becoming more balanced. You can now choose the destination that fits your lifestyle instead of chasing the cheapest option.

Even Europe’s priciest hubs feel lighter

Once-expensive capitals are gradually cooling off. That means you can enjoy major city life, vibrant culture, and global connections without stretching your budget too thin.

Balance is the new luxury

Cities like Athens, Zagreb, and Vilnius offer the best of both worlds. They combine affordable living with creative communities and give you the space to build a routine that feels like home.

Borderless living has gone mainstream

With lower barriers and smarter tools, living abroad is no longer a short-term escape. It’s now a realistic and fulfilling way of life that keeps getting easier every year.

Key cost-trends 2025 vs 2024

Coworking just got affordable again

Flexible workspaces across Europe are finally matching how you live and work. They’re accessible, flexible, and easier on your budget, giving you more freedom to choose your next city.

Living abroad is becoming sustainable

Everyday expenses are levelling out, making it easier to plan ahead and stay longer. For expats and nomads, that means less stress and more time to focus on what matters most.

The gap between East and West is closing

From London to Sofia, the cost of living is becoming more balanced. You can now choose the destination that fits your lifestyle instead of chasing the cheapest option.

Even Europe’s priciest hubs feel lighter

Once-expensive capitals are gradually cooling off. That means you can enjoy major city life, vibrant culture, and global connections without stretching your budget too thin.

Balance is the new luxury

Cities like Athens, Zagreb, and Vilnius offer the best of both worlds. They combine affordable living with creative communities and give you the space to build a routine that feels like home.

Borderless living has gone mainstream

With lower barriers and smarter tools, living abroad is no longer a short-term escape. It’s now a realistic and fulfilling way of life that keeps getting easier every year.

Key cost-trends 2025 vs 2024

Coworking just got affordable again

Flexible workspaces across Europe are finally matching how you live and work. They’re accessible, flexible, and easier on your budget, giving you more freedom to choose your next city.

Living abroad is becoming sustainable

Everyday expenses are levelling out, making it easier to plan ahead and stay longer. For expats and nomads, that means less stress and more time to focus on what matters most.

The gap between East and West is closing

From London to Sofia, the cost of living is becoming more balanced. You can now choose the destination that fits your lifestyle instead of chasing the cheapest option.

Even Europe’s priciest hubs feel lighter

Once-expensive capitals are gradually cooling off. That means you can enjoy major city life, vibrant culture, and global connections without stretching your budget too thin.

Balance is the new luxury

Cities like Athens, Zagreb, and Vilnius offer the best of both worlds. They combine affordable living with creative communities and give you the space to build a routine that feels like home.

Borderless living has gone mainstream

With lower barriers and smarter tools, living abroad is no longer a short-term escape. It’s now a realistic and fulfilling way of life that keeps getting easier every year.

Open your Bank Account in 5 minutes

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Open your Bank Account in 5 minutes

Get started now, with just your phone and ID.

Open your Bank Account in 5 minutes

Get started now, with just your phone and ID.