Beautiful country 'by far the cheapest place' for British expats to live

A study has pinpointed the most affordable havens for British expats - crowning Italy as the best bet. 2022 witnessed a staggering 3.6 million Brits heading to Italy's shores, seeking the Bella Vita beyond well-trodden cities like Rome, Milan or Venice. Lesser-frequented gems such as Rimini, Naples and Capri also offer magnificent experiences away from the usual tourist trail.

The research, conducted by YourOverseasHome, assessed the living costs in seven nations, with comparison to the UK. Despite a handful of Italian locales boasting steep prices, Italy emerged as the overall winner for cost-effective long-term residence.

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YourOverseasHome said: "Despite there being a few cities and towns that have reputations for being expensive destinations, Italy is by far the cheapest place to live long term when you're not spending like a traveller."

Moreover, they stated: "This is despite the fact that energy costs more in Italy." The report also touched upon the considerable variation of living expenses across different regions, reports the Express.

Yet, for those settled in typical Italian towns or villages, avoiding major tourist hotspots, the country is seen as the most affordable choice according to previous coverage by The Express.

While energy costs may be steeper in Italy, groceries are generally far more affordable than in the UK. Products such as fish, chocolate, and gin cost over twice as much in the UK compared to Italy, although lettuce was found to be cheapest in the UK.

Housing expenses in Italy could also result in savings for Brits, with decorating materials and domestic cleaning services being less expensive than in the UK. Electrical goods, including televisions and Amazon Alexa Echo Docks, were also discovered to be cheaper in Italy.

Moreover, Brits could savour a cappuccino in an Italian café for just £1 on average, a stark contrast to the £3.20 typically charged in the UK.

And let's not overlook Italy's recent €1 home scheme. This initiative could enable travellers to purchase a home in the stunning region of Sicily, aimed at attracting expats to the area.

However, participants in the scheme had to adhere to certain rules, including that the property must be renovated within a specific timeframe and that the home can only be utilised for residential or tourism purposes.

Once refurbished, the homes available could command prices of up to €30,000 (approximately £25,000). Meanwhile, if you're a foodie who enjoys dining out, you'll be thrilled to learn that eating out in Spain is a steal, with a three-course meal averaging at just £13.

In terms of dental care, Spain again offers the best value, with appointments costing roughly £21.50, a significant difference from Germany's hefty £50 fee.

Entertainment seekers in the UK might find themselves forking out more compared to other European nations, with cinema tickets costing a pretty penny.

In contrast, certain products are cheaper in Britain; take paracetamol as an example, which costs almost a tenfold more in Italy. As for petrol prices, Greece is experiencing a hike where 50 litres of unleaded fuel reach an eye-watering £86, topping the UK's substantial £81.

Portugal offers a bit of financial ease to British expats, with the cost of the same amount of petrol hovering at about £78. Christopher Nye, Senior Editor at YourOverseasHome.com, shared his insights: "We know that thousands of Britons are considering moving abroad, more so than ever! UK natives are looking to jump ship to avoid high energy costs and never-ending price rises.

"But if you're moving under the assumption that you'll be getting more for your money, you could very well be jumping from the frying pan into the fire, as prices have shot up across the eurozone too."

Post-Brexit, Germany has emerged as the country with the highest living costs following the UK, with Spain and France also appearing relatively expensive.