Cheapest by price vs cheapest for residency — two different questions
People asking for the "cheapest country to buy in Europe" usually want one of two things: the lowest price per square metre, or the lowest entry to a residence permit. They're not the same place. Below, both — with the honest caveat that the easy-residency era is closing.
The numbers (2026)
| Country | Indicative price | Residency-by-property threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Albania | ~€1,100–1,600/m² | From ~€50,000 |
| Bulgaria | Lowest in EU | ~€302,500 |
| Montenegro | ~€1,800–2,500/m² | No fixed minimum (proof of funds) |
| Serbia | Low | No fixed minimum |
| Greece (Zone B) | Mid | €400,000 golden visa |
| Portugal | Mid–high | No property route (fund €500k) |
The EU residency routes have mostly closed
If your goal is an EU residence permit through buying a home, the window has largely shut:
- Portugal removed real estate from the Golden Visa in 2023 — the route is now a €500,000 fund, not a property.
- Greece repriced into €800k / €400k / €250k zones under Law 5100/2024 — the cheap flat no longer qualifies.
- Spain ended its golden visa entirely in 2025.
Why the headline price lies
A €60,000 Albanian apartment is not a €60,000 decision. Add:
- Transfer taxes and legal fees — proportionally heavier on cheap properties.
- Currency risk — non-euro markets (Albania, Serbia) move against your income currency.
- Resale liquidity — thin markets are slow and costly to exit.
- Mortgage availability — often nil for foreigners; assume all-cash.
How to actually choose
Decide the residency you need first (or whether you need any), then price the all-in cost of the cheapest country that delivers it — not the lowest sticker price. Compare the markets Outpost covers side by side in our country comparisons, then check whether your citizenship can buy where you're looking with the eligibility checker.
Sources: iworld / immigrantinvest / ownpropertyabroad market surveys 2026; national residency-by-investment program pages. Prices are indicative averages — verify current thresholds before acting. Reviewed June 2026.