THE Overseas Guides Company’s annual Overseas Living Price Index shows that living in Europe may not be as cheap as you would think, as prices rise in key expat destinations, such as France.

Using their research, OGC put together a detailed comparison index, outlining the difference between grocery shopping in the UK and the most popular destinations.

While prices in the UK are still cheaper for some essential grocery items, such as bananas or dog food, on the whole, you will get much more for your money elsewhere.

Turkey tops the poll as best value overall

Turkey consistently ranks as one of the cheapest countries within which to live, with low utility costs and low prices for everyday items compared to the rest of the world – particularly bread, milk and washing powder.

Public transport costs are also lower in Turkey.

Rising costs in France

The rising costs of utility bills in France has pushed up the day-to-day living costs in the country – now slightly ahead of the UK, thanks to high electricity and gas prices.

Leisure time

Portugal comes out of the survey as the cheapest country to eat out in. Beer is also priced the cheapest here, along with Italy. Wine, on the other hand, is cheapest in Italy and Cyprus.

Getting out and about

The cost of petrol is generally cheaper throughout most of Europe, although petrol prices in Italy can be high. Diesel was found to be cheaper than petrol in every country surveyed, aside from the UK.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Canada and the US also have the most expensive bar costs for alcohol – even more so than in the UK!

As Angelos Koutsoudes, Head of the Overseas Guides Company, points out: ‘Our research emphasises how important it is to have a clear idea of costs in your new country before moving there.”