The 9 cheapest European cities for expats to buy property

• Expats in Europe have added to rising real-estate prices, but there's still affordable pockets.

• Fintech site Money Transfers listed the least pricey cities to buy property in by the square meter.
• Eastern European cities dominated, including the home of the ancient city of Heraclea Lyncestis.

Whether it's the allure of adventure, new career opportunities, or a desire for greater  affordability, a growing contingent of Americans are embracing expat life.

But that broader embrace of living abroad has caused real-estate prices to rise in some international hotspots. Take Portugal, which sunset its popular golden visa program in an effort to stem the tide of monied outsiders who turbocharged the real-estate market there. Of course there are still deals to be found — expat hopefuls just have to broaden their horizons. 

Using data from Numbeo, a comparison website that provides crowdsourced summaries of the cost of living in major cities across the world, fintech company Money Transfers put together a list of the least pricey European cities on a square-meter basis for expats looking to buy property. Eastern Europe dominates the list. 

Numbeo averages user-submitted expenses, including the average price per square meter for city-center apartments. While the methodology relies on users around the world entering their costs accurately, it is a valuable instrument for cross-city comparison.

For each European city, Money Transfers sourced the average price per square meter from Numbeo and then multiplied by 100 to get the average price for a "generously sized apartment" of roughly 1,075 square feet, said Money Transfers' Ben Mendelowitz. All prices have been converted to US dollars. 

Money Transfers excluded cities in Ukraine and Russia from its list.

9. Oradea, Romania

• Average price for a 100m² apartment: $178,070.28
• Known for: Oradea, situated on both sides of the Crisu Repede River, lies just 8 miles from the Romanian border. This city is renowned as a hub for both economic and cultural endeavors and boasts a wealth of Art Nouveau architecture.
• Can expats purchase property there: European expats are allowed to purchase property in Oradea. While expats hailing from outside of Europe can also purchase property, they can't achieve full land ownership.

8. Patras, Greece

• Average price for a 100m² apartment: $174,760.67
• Known for: Patras is a coastal city adorned with numerous historical sites, among them the Roman Odeon. The ancient entertainment center is now the chief venue for Patras International Festival, a celebration of music, dance and art.
• Can expats purchase property there: Foreigners are able to purchase and sell property in Patras.

7. Sibiu, Romania

• Average price for a 100m² apartment: $165,398.36
• Known for: Located in the heart of Romania, Sibiu is a city brimming with history. It boasts numerous museums, including the renowned Astra National Museum — the largest open-air exhibition space in Europe.
• Can expats purchase property there: Non EU and EEA expats may own real estate in the city, but are restricted from owning land. However, European expats are free to do both.

6. Craiova, Romania

• Average price for a 100m² apartment: $161,142.09
• Known for:  Craiova sits near the Jiu River and is located in the southwestern region of Romania. One of the city's biggest attractions is Parcul Romanescu, recognized as the largest urban park in Romania.
• Can expats purchase property there: EU and EEA citizens are permitted to buy property in Romania. While expats hailing outside of  Europe can also purchase property, they can't achieve full land ownership.

5. Burgas, Bulgaria

• Average price for a 100m² apartment: $147,839.06
• Known for: Burgas sits along the coast of the Black Sea. The city offers many natural attractions such as The Sea Garden, a vast expanse of parkland that features trees and plants from various corners of the globe.
• Can expats purchase property there: Expats can own real estate in Plovdiv but not the land on which it sits.

4. Plovdiv, Bulgaria

• Average price for a 100m² apartment: $142,105.63
• Known for: Plovdiv is situated in south-central Bulgaria and is the second-largest city in the country. It is the home of the Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis, renowned as one of the world's most well-preserved ancient theaters.
• Can expats purchase property there: Just like in Burgas, non-residents can buy real estate in Plovdiv but can not own the land beneath it.

3. Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

• Average price for a 100m² apartment: $138,777.39
• Known for: Situated along the Neretva River, Mostar is one of the most popular destinations in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The small city is mostly known for the Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque, an architectural marvel that was built in the 1600s.
• Can expats purchase property there: Expats have approval to acquire and sell property in Mostar. However, it is dependent on a reciprocity agreement between Bosnia and Herzegovina and their native country.

2. Chisinau, Moldova

• Average price for a 100m² apartment: $138,345.05
• Known for: The capital city of Moldova, Chisinau boasts an array of architectural wonders, such as the Triumphal Arch. Also referred to as the "Holy Gate," the monument was constructed in the 1840s to honor Russia's triumph over the Turkish Army.
• Can expats purchase property there: Expats are free to purchase and sell non-agricultural property.

1. Bitola, North Macedonia

• Average price for a 100m² apartment: $97,942.75
• Known for: Bitola is the second-largest city in the Republic of North Macedonia and is home to the ancient city of Heraclea Lyncestis, a designated world heritage site. In contemporary times, the town is recognized as the cultural epicenter of Macedonia.
• Can expats purchase property there: Expats can purchase property, but it's contingent on a reciprocity agreement between North Macedonia and their home country.