Looking for a European property bargain in 2025? You're not alone. Thousands of investors, expats, digital nomads, and retirees are scouring the continent for cheap property in Europe. With the rise of remote work, cost-of-living concerns, and a growing interest in second homes, there’s a real shift toward low budget real estate Europe options. The good news: there are still dozens of real estate opportunities under €50k, especially in lesser-known but promising cities and rural towns.
If you're looking for a €50,000 apartment in Europe, aiming to generate rental income on a budget, or searching for a peaceful spot to retire or work remotely, this guide highlights the best cities where your money can still go far. Explore the cheapest places to buy property in Europe in 2025 - and discover where true value remains.
Curious how far your rental income can go in Europe? Check out 5 European Cities with Rental Yields Over 6% in 2025 to compare returns in affordable cities.
1. Sofia, Bulgaria: Budget-Friendly Property in a Growing Tech Hub
Sofia has become a hot spot for savvy buyers looking to buy property in Europe cheap while enjoying the benefits of living in an EU capital. It’s one of the few major cities in Europe where you can still purchase a property under €50,000 without compromising on infrastructure, job opportunities, or transport.
Why Sofia is a Top Budget Destination
The city offers a dynamic mix of tradition and tech. Sofia is known as “Europe’s Quiet Tech Capital” and has become a regional hub for IT startups and outsourcing. The rental market is healthy, supported by students, professionals, and remote workers, offering rental yields of ~4-5% for small units. Many foreigners are drawn by Bulgaria's low taxes (a flat 10% on rental income) and simple buying process - foreign buyers can purchase apartments freely, although buying land still has restrictions.
In 2024, property prices in Sofia saw a significant increase, suggesting that the window for finding bargain homes in Europe’s most affordable capital is beginning to narrow. Yet, for now, you can still find older 25-38 m² apartments in outer districts for €40,000-€50,000 - especially in areas like Lyulin, Druzhba, Nadezhda, or Mladost (older blocks).
Sofia is not only one of the best value cities for real estate, but also one of the most livable and connected urban centers on this list.
Want to see how Bulgaria compares to the rest of the EU? See our Real Estate Market in Italy: Regional Price Trends and Opportunities in 2025 for a Western Europe benchmark.
2. Burgas, Bulgaria: Coastal Property Deals Under €50k
Burgas is an excellent destination for those dreaming of cheap property in a European coastal city. Located on the Black Sea coast, this port city is often overshadowed by resort towns like Sunny Beach or Varna, yet it offers far better year-round livability.
Rental Potential in a Coastal City
Burgas has modern infrastructure, green parks, and a peaceful lifestyle that appeals to both retirees and digital nomads. Average property prices are about €1,200/m², with plenty of €40k-€50k apartments in older buildings, especially in neighborhoods like Meden Rudnik or Sarafovo.
Its strategic location near both the airport and major beach resorts means you can tap into summer tourist demand - and still use the property year-round. Rental yields here can reach 4.5-6.5% for well-located studio flats, making it one of the high yield cheap cities on the European map.
With Bulgaria ranked among the top cheap real estate markets in Europe, and the country having already joined the eurozone, Burgas may soon become less of a hidden gem and more of a mainstream investment destination.
3. Chisinau, Moldova: The Cheapest Capital City Property Market in Europe
If your top goal is securing the cheapest place to buy property in Europe in 2025, Chisinau is likely your answer. Moldova is not yet part of the EU, but its capital city offers astonishing affordability.
Highest Yield, Lowest Entry Point in Europe
The city has average property price is €1250/m², with many functional apartments available for €35,000-€50,000. Even central areas can yield sub-€50k opportunities if you're open to renovation. These prices are a fraction of what similar-sized flats would cost in neighboring Romania or Ukraine.
What sets Chisinau apart for investors is its extremely high rental yield potential. While political risk and currency volatility (the Moldovan leu is not a major currency) remain concerns, gross yields of 8% are not uncommon - particularly for small, well-located flats rented to students or workers.
Foreigners can freely buy apartments in Moldova, and many are doing so with an eye toward future EU integration. If you're looking for emerging property markets in Europe with ultra-low entry points and speculative upside, Chisinau is hard to beat.
4. Skopje Real Estate 2025: Hidden Gem for Budget Property Buyers
Skopje is increasingly viewed as an undervalued Balkan city with long-term growth potential. While North Macedonia is not yet an EU member, it is a candidate country, and its steady reforms are pushing real estate demand upward.
Hidden Gem with EU Candidacy Status
Average prices in Skopje are around €1,600/m², meaning a 30 m² apartment can still be found for €50,000 in some neighborhoods. Some of the most affordable options exist in areas like Karposh, Aerodrom, or Gazi Baba.
Rental yields are strong (4-6%), and the cost of ownership is low. The city has a growing population, EU prospects, and a small but emerging startup scene. Unlike more saturated markets in Central Europe, Skopje is still under the radar - making it a compelling hidden gem city for property seekers in 2025.
Skopje also has a unique cultural appeal, blending Ottoman, Byzantine, and Balkan influences - and it’s one of the most affordable capital cities to live in across the entire continent.
5. Palermo, Italy: Affordable Western European Property Under €50,000
If Eastern Europe isn’t for you, and you’d prefer cheap property in Western Europe, Palermo might be your perfect match. The capital of Sicily offers an exceptional mix of lifestyle, history, and affordability.
Cheap Property in Western Europe with Lifestyle Perks
Palermo has long had some of Italy’s lowest property prices. The city average is around €1,500/m², but you can often find 25-35 m² apartments in outer or older areas for under €50,000 - especially if you’re open to doing some renovation. And if you're willing to look beyond Palermo itself, the number of budget-friendly options increases dramatically - with small homes in surrounding Sicilian towns and villages often available under €50,000, particularly in areas targeted by regional repopulation programs.
Tourism is booming in Sicily, and even budget-friendly flats can be profitable with short-term or long-term rentals. With 7-8% average yields and no restrictions for foreigners, Palermo is ideal for those looking for retirement homes in Europe under €50000, or a secondary residence with real lifestyle appeal.
Italy also offers a wide range of municipal incentives for people willing to restore old homes - particularly in rural villages, where the famous “1 euro homes” are just the tip of the iceberg for renovation property in Europe under €50k.
For a broader view on living costs in European cities, read How Much Apartment €1,000 a Month Rents in Europe in 2025.
6. Riga, Latvia: Buy-to-Let Opportunities in the Baltic Region
While Latvia overall has seen rising prices, Riga still offers opportunities for strategic buyers. In Soviet-era housing blocks in areas like Purvciems, Ziepniekkalns or Imanta, you can still find older 25-35 m² flats for €45,000-€50,000 - especially those in need of refurbishment.
EU Bargain in the Baltic
As a member of the eurozone and the EU, Latvia offers stability, transparent ownership laws, and relatively high demand in the capital. Rental yields in these affordable districts often range from 6-8%, depending on the location and condition of the flat.
Though Latvia’s population is slowly shrinking, internal migration to Riga continues, keeping the buy-to-let under €50k market alive. For cautious investors who still want eurozone property bargains, Riga is worth considering.
7. Rural Spain, Italy & Romania - Where to Buy a House in Europe for Under 50k
Sometimes the best deals are not in cities at all. Across rural Europe, small towns in Spain, Italy, and Romania offer bargain homes in Europe - some even under €50,000. These properties may require repairs but often come with strong local charm, large plots, and low annual costs.
Cheapest Houses in Europe: Rural and Rustic Deals
🔸 Southern Italy (Calabria, Abruzzo, Molise)
In these regions, €25k-€45k can buy a fully habitable village house, often with two or more bedrooms. These areas are actively encouraging repopulation through foreign ownership, tax incentives, and grants for renovation.
🔸 Inland Spain (Castilla-La Mancha, Extremadura, Jaén)
These traditional regions offer authentic village life, warm climate, and homes from €30,000-€45,000. There is little competition here, and it’s ideal for early retirees or digital workers wanting to relocate with minimal expense.
🔸 Romania (Oradea, Craiova, Alba Iulia)
Romania’s secondary cities and towns combine low prices, EU membership, and growing infrastructure. Oradea especially is considered one of the most promising small city real estate Europe options in 2025.
Cities & Regions with Property Under €50,000
<table> <tbody> <tr class="blue-row" > <td><strong>Location</strong></td> <td><strong>Avg. Price / m²</strong></td> <td><strong>Typical Deal (€≤50k)</strong></td> <td><strong>Rental Yield</strong></td> <td><strong>EU Status</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sofia, Bulgaria</td> <td>€1,300–1,500</td> <td>25–38 m² in outer districts</td> <td>4–5%</td> <td>EU</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Burgas, Bulgaria</td> <td>€1,200</td> <td>Older flats in Meden Rudnik</td> <td>4.5–6.5%</td> <td>EU</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Chișinău, Moldova</td> <td>€1,250</td> <td>Flats from €35k even in center</td> <td>8%</td> <td>Non-EU</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Skopje, North Macedonia</td> <td>€1,000–1,200</td> <td>30–40 m² in Karposh, Aerodrom</td> <td>4–6%</td> <td>EU candidate</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Palermo, Italy</td> <td>€1,500</td> <td>25–35 m² in older/outer areas</td> <td>7–8%</td> <td>EU</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Riga, Latvia</td> <td>€1,200</td> <td>25–35 m² Soviet flats</td> <td>6–8%</td> <td>EU</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Rural IT/ES/RO</td> <td>€800–€1,200</td> <td>Houses €25–45k in villages</td> <td>Variable</td> <td>EU</td> </tr> </tbody> </table>Cheap Real Estate Markets in Europe 2025: Key Takeaways for Investors
Purchasing property for under €50,000 in Europe is entirely possible in 2025 if you focus on the right markets. Eastern Europe offers the most opportunities, with capitals like Sofia and secondary cities in the Balkans presenting excellent value. Meanwhile, Southern Europe’s lesser-known areas (parts of Italy, Spain, Portugal’s interior) present rustic homes at low prices for those seeking a renovation project or a quiet retirement cottage.
When chasing such bargains, always consider factors beyond price: economic trends, rental market viability, and any legal hurdles for foreign ownership. Many of the mentioned countries (e.g. Bulgaria, Romania) have no restrictions on foreign buyers for urban properties, making it straightforward to acquire real estate.
Remember that ultra-cheap properties may require additional investment in repairs, and local resale demand might be limited. However, as an investor or homebuyer with a modest budget, these markets allow you to diversify geographically and tap into growth as these regions develop. With the right approach, you can become a European property owner at a remarkably low cost.
Want to compare with major cities like Paris or Vienna? Explore How Much Does an Apartment in Paris Cost in 2025 and Vienna Real Estate Prices 2025.
To learn more about specific countries and their property markets - including affordability, legal buying process, and expected ROI - visit our “Countries” section. Our country pages (e.g., Bulgaria, Italy, Romania) provide deeper insight into average prices, taxes, and tips for foreign buyers.
And don’t miss our expert insights - Buying Property in Croatia as a Foreigner is a complete guide for expats and investors exploring Southeast Europe.