If you have deep pockets, the sky is the limit for living in Italy, but is it still possible on a tight budget?
In this report, I will share the cost to retire early $1497 Month Brindisi Italy including rent, utilities, groceries, restaurants, transportation, and other expenses for low to middle-range living costs.
As I share what we learned this summer in Italy, I will show you the video Qiang and I took while our feet were on the ground here.
We continued traveling south through the heel of the boot of Italy and stopped to survey the cost of living in Brindisi. We visited many cities in the heel of the boot while we were in this southern part of Italy
Next week I will share my favorite place, and where I would live if I decided to retire in the cheap part of southern Italy. Subscribe if you want to know when that video goes live.
I have lived in or visited 73 countries over the last 18 years since leaving the United States. I go back to the US every other year for a week or so. Instead, I slowly move forward through the world buying one-way tickets as I investigate the best places to retire on a budget overseas.
We used the trains in Italy to get from city to city as we traveled south. The historic centers of the cities in Italy are beautiful and walkable. The main train station in each city is very close to the historic centers, so we just walked everywhere.
Brindisi has a natural port that has accentuated its historical significance and Ferries run from Brindisi to other cities that are on the Adriatic and Mediterranean Seas.
The Greek geographer Strabo, who surveyed the Mediterranean when Christ was alive, believed that Brindisi was first populated by a tribe from Crete. Crete is one of the largest Islands in modern-day Greece
Others believe Brindisi was first populated in 247 BC by the Romans. During the early Roman period, 100,000 people lived in Brindisi. Today about 90,000 people live here.
In the last 50 years, archaeologists have carbon-dated a Bronze Age village in Brandisi to about 1600 BC. But like most cities on the Adriatic Sea, Brindisi has been the victim of war and has been passed around like a hot potato for a few thousand years.
It would be a fool’s errand to try to summarize 4000 years of history in this report. So I will just provide a map and comments of some significant historical sites in the written report at the first link below this video.
I will share my retirement desirability factors such as Visa, Medical, Walkability, Internet, Food, Weather, Things to Do, Social considerations, Expat Community, Real Estate, and My Overall Retirement Desirability Score.
But first, I want to share my estimated costs of living converted into US dollars if the two of us moved to Brindisi Italy year-round on a tight budget. We will also include more typical expenses that other ex-pats would spend to give you another data point.
Estimated Cost Retire in Brindisi Italy
Rents: I found this furnished 1 Bedroom Apartment advertised today for rent for 550 Euros ($571 USD) per month for a long-term lease agreement in the city center. If you rent for a shorter period on Airbnb it would be much more expensive.
If you rent a larger apartment long term the rent would be higher, starting around $950 USD per month on up depending upon area and size. The dollar-euro conversion rate varies over time.
Here is the process we use to find great apartments. So, we will show you a table of all expenses in a moment. We will use $571 per month for our lower rent estimate and $950 per month for the middle cost of living estimate for expats who want a little more space space.
If you are willing to ride public transportation or a car 30 minutes outside of central. You could easily save 20 to 30%.
Utilities: We estimate that the year-round average for our utilities would be about $90 USD per month. The utilities would cost more for the larger space, starting at around $130 USD per month.
Groceries: When possible, we would purchase fruits and vegetables from the Farmer’s Market, small shops, and street vendors to save money. But we would also shop in grocery stores for nonperishable foods and other things like shampoo and detergents. We estimate about $360 per month for groceries. Other expats are likely to shop more often in expensive grocery stores often spending more than $460 per month on groceries.
Restaurants: We would eat out twice per week mostly in more local-style restaurants a few blocks back from the tourist areas for about $12 to $15 USD per meal per person and one or two splurges per month of $19 to 26 USD per meal per person. If you add all that up, we would spend around $310 per month for the two of us in restaurants We may have a beer here and there, but that is covered below in alcohol.
Other expats are likely to eat more often at expensive expat-style restaurants and less in local-style restaurants, so they would likely spend more like $450 per month for 2 people in restaurants. It is lifestyle-dependent.
Cell Phone Data: The cost to get a prepaid SIM card for your unlocked smartphone is about $26 USD per month.
Other expat couples are likely to buy two prepaid SIM cards so they would send $52 USD per month.
Laundry: Our temporary apartment in Brindisi had no clothes washing machine, but the example long-term furnished apartment above did. So we would add another $10 a month for laundry detergent.
Drinking Water: We didn’t see reverse osmosis delivery in 20-liter jugs here so we would probably get a Brita water filter for the refrigerator. The filter refills would be about $5 USD per month. Actually, we have been traveling with the same Brita Water filter as we head south through Europe.
Internet: 80 MBPS up and down is about $26 USD for in-home wifi.
Transportation: Brindisi has the local public transportation monthly pass which normally costs 36 Euros per month, and is only 26 Euros for pensiones. So, it would cost 62 Euros per month for the two of us, or $69 USD.
Alcohol (Optional): Domestic beer (Birra Weizen) in the LIDL grocery store in Brindisi is 0.69 Euros for a half liter. That works out to be about $0.55 USD for a standard-size can of beer in the USA. In bars and restaurants, domestic beer ranges from around $3 to $6 USD. So, we estimate about $120 per month on alcohol for the two of us.
Many other expats would spend a higher amount for imported foreign or craft beers in convenience stores, bars, and restaurants bars, so we estimate about $300 USD per month for 2 people assuming they do not drink imported whiskey or wine.
Entertainment (Optional): We would budget about $200 per month for entertainment for the two of us. We generally enjoy doing more do-it-yourself kinds of entertainment so other expats would spend a little more, maybe $300 per month, for 2 of them?
Estimated Costs Retire in Brindisi Italy
|
Brindisi Italy |
Lower (USD) |
Middle (USD) |
|
Rent |
571 |
950 |
|
Utilities |
90 |
130 |
|
Groceries |
360 |
460 |
|
Restaurants |
340 |
480 |
|
Cell Data |
26 |
52 |
|
Laundry |
10 |
10 |
|
Drinking Water |
5 |
5 |
|
Internet |
26 |
26 |
|
Transportation |
69 |
69 |
|
Total |
$1497 |
$2182 |
|
|
|
|
|
Alcohol |
120 |
300 |
|
Optional Total |
$1617 |
$2482 |
|
|
|
|
|
Entertainment |
200 |
300 |
|
Optional Total |
$1817 |
$2782 |
We gathered this data with our feet on the ground here in August of 2024 so adjust for inflation after that. The above lower estimated cost of living would be if the two of us lived in Brindisi on a tight budget. The middle estimate is just an example of what more typical expats might spend if they moved here.
To understand what it would cost you to live here, you must put your feet on the ground here in Brindisi, see how you would choose to live, eat, and entertain yourself, and add it all up. It doesn’t matter what anyone else spends because we are all different.
So, what would it cost you to live in Brindisi?
To get a better understanding of things you should add to our estimated cost of living watch this video: 9 Reasons You Can’t Retire You Can’t Retire Cheap Overseas.
Most people will likely be unable to retire for the lower range estimate above. I give example reasons why in this report. Plus, this other report explains how to avoid coming home early with your tail between your legs.
Also, if you are going to try to retire cheap offshore, make sure to read my report, the Two Biggest Risks of Retiring Early for Cheap Offshore, which explains why you should have emergency funds available for unexpectedly large expenses.
You should also add anything to the above table that you spend money on in your home country that is not listed in the above table. Presumably, you find those things necessary in life. To do that, visit the Numbeo Brindisi and add anything not mentioned in the above table. Anything not on Numbeo you should add during your exploratory visit before moving to Brindisi.
Never move anywhere until you have visited first personally to verify the living costs for your lifestyle and needs. I am not guaranteeing these prices. These are just my notes and estimates from the time of my visit and this post. Your costs will likely be drastically different.
Many of the expats we meet living overseas are self-insured for medical care. That means that not everyone buys health insurance when they move overseas. That probably sounds crazy to many of you.
I didn’t carry medical insurance for most of my first 17 years living overseas. But last year I bought medical insurance. If you are wondering what it costs and what it covers, watch my medical insurance video at this link. This is not an affiliate link.
More typical expat living costs in Brindisi Italy range from about $2500 to $5000 per month. But people spending that much often have higher savings, incomes, or pensions. They often report spending more on accommodations, entertainment, eating out more, traveling, and alcohol. Many also have more expensive cars, houses, or apartments.
Brindisi Italy Livability Factors
Before you move anywhere outside your home country, make sure to create a list of things that you must have for your happy retirement. Here are my livability factors and I will rank each as high, medium, or low before assigning an overall retirement desirability score to Brindisi.
Walkability: High. We walked everywhere in Brindisi. We loved the historic center of Brindiswe because we rarely needed to walk more than 30 minutes to get where we needed to for everyday purposes. Plus, walking is the healthiest way to stay in shape as we age.
Internet: High. The in-home wifi in our apartment was 36 MBPS down and 22 MBPS up. Good enough for us to do Zoom calls, upload YouTube videos, and watch Netflix. We were also able to use our cell phones as hot spots when we were out of the house together.
Food: Medium. The restaurants in tourist areas are priced higher than restaurants 4 to 6 blocks away. You will find small family-owned restaurants in neighborhoods a few blocks back from tourist areas with dishes for 7 to 12 Euros ($7.25 to $12.50 USD), whereas, you can easily pay double that in the tourist areas. If we lived here, we would have a tendency to cook more than we would in other parts of the world in order to keep our total food budget within reason.
Weather: High. Daily highs average from 56F (13C) in January up to 85F (29C) in July. Nightly lows average from 44F (7C) in January to 71F (22C) in July. The best weather is May through August. The rainy season is September through April, with November receiving the most rain.
Things to Do: High. The heel of the boot of Italy is called Puglia. Many parts of Italy have become very expensive in part because of international tourism. Luckily, Puglia is not one of the hot international tourist spots in Italy. International tourism tends to force prices higher forcing the locals and lower prices outside the tourist areas.
Brindisi seems to have more regional and local tourism so it is one of the more cost-effective places to live in Italy. That said, the smaller less-known towns in scattered about Puglia are even cheaper.
Brindisi has everything you would expect in a beautiful ancient city on the Adriatic Sea, such as swimming, scuba, beaches, boat tours, kayaking, stand-up boarding, live music, people watching, nightlife, professional soccer, cultural tours, coffee shops, tennis courts, shopping, opera, golf and a ton of documented ancient history to explore.
Social Considerations: English is not widely spoken in Brindisi, it is not unusual to find English speakers in tourist-facing businesses, especially in Central Brindisi. If you intend on retiring here, you should learn some Italian for a more full life. I have met many expats overseas who have used Duolingo, the free language smartphone application, to learn many different languages.
Safety Considerations: Other than day trips to nearby cities, we spent all of our time exploring Central Brindisi. We felt safe there. Online, we read that Brindisi is generally a safe city with the exception of petty crime. Nothing valuable should be in an unsecured pocket, front or back, and don’t leave valuables out in the open. Also, the US State Department issues travel advisories for each part of the world which you should be aware of. Italy is level 2 right now, “Excercise Increase Caution.” We often travel to level 2 locations, so this was not a concern for us, but you should be aware nevertheless. Italy is ranked 33rd on the Global Peace Index for 2024 which is much safer than the USA which is ranked the 132nd in the World. Here are my thoughts on how to remain safe all over the world.
Expat Community: Here is a Facebook page that caters explicitly to English-speaking expats living in Brindisi. These online expat communities are great for learning things that expats want to learn when they first move overseas. You will often find that someone has answered your questions recently so don’t waste their time by asking it again before searching for and reading already answered questions. Here is another Facebook Page for all of Puglia (the heel of the boot) in case you have a more regional question for this part of Italy.
Medical: Medical: High. This healthcare international comparison index ranks Italy 17th in the world, which is dramatically better than the United States which ranks 69th. There are different ways healthcare is rated, but this one seems to be considering not only the quality of care but also what patients are charged.
If you decide to move here, make sure to ask around for referrals and establish relationships with doctors for your special needs based on the feedback you have gotten from others who have used their services. The above Expats Facebook pages may be a good source for that information.
Also, the best insurance prices and coverage are often local. So get a few quotes from local insurance agents you find by asking expats on the above Facebook pages.
Tourist Visa: High. Italy is in the Schengen visa area. A visa-free entry is still allowed for Americans and other citizens of some non-EU nations for a short, temporary visit of up to 90 days in any 180-day period to a country in the Schengen area. To know if you are a citizen of one of the visa-free entry countries check on this webpage. However, entry into the EU will eventually require an online registration (ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System)) so double-check when and if that registration has been enacted before booking any nonrefundable tickets. We were both allowed visa-free entry and had both proof of exit tickets and accommodations ready to show officials upon entry into Italy but they did not ask to see either.
Retirement Visa: There is no retirement visa for Italy. However, residency is easy if you are from a favored nation like the USA and many others. The US Embassy review of Italian law states, “Americans must have an entrance visa which should be obtained at an Italian consulate before coming to Italy, in order to remain in Italy more than three months and gain resident status. This procedure will take several weeks to complete so it is advisable to apply well in advance of the departure date. The visa will be granted only for the time indicated on the application. Americans already in Italy without a visa will have to leave Italy to obtain one before they will be able to gain resident status.” That webpage also shares example requirements for permanent residency such as proof of some Italian language and cultural knowledge within two years, criminal report, proof of financial ability to maintain yourself, and various documents.
To obtain a 12-month residence permit in Italy requires showing around €31,000 passive income from investments or retirement funds, which is considered the minimum amount needed to show financial stability for a year-long stay, and can be extended for multiple years.
You can probably do this yourself, but if you want a lawyer …. Rather than promoting any particular immigration lawyer I read about online, I would request a referral to a lawyer on one of the Expat Facebook pages I shared above. I would ask the expats for an immigration lawyer who they have already successfully used to get their residence permits for Italy. I would not pay someone to help get me residency until I have confirmation from an expat who personally used their services to successfully gain residency. Italy is more about who you know rather than what you know.
Real Estate: Apparently, Americans and foreigners from many other nations can still own land in Italy. I found this apartment online for $120,000 USD right in the most central part of central Brindisi.
I would not buy real estate in a foreign country until I have lived there for an extended period of time making sure I loved it after the honeymoon period. I have a report explaining what to look out for and why. I would also hire a lawyer who has no conflict of interest with me. Do not use a lawyer recommended by your real estate broker or your local lover. I would seek a referral from an expat who has used that lawyer’s services to successfully buy real estate in Brindisi.
Brindisi Italy Overall Retirement Desirability Score: High. I love this part of Italy. It is cheaper and less crowded with tourism. Plus it has that beautiful walking lifestyle that Europe excels at that is missing from my home country. But subscribe now because the place I love most in this part of Italy I will share next week.
Brindisi Italy Old Town Walking Tour
Porta Mesagne: The Porta Mesagne is the oldest entrance gate to Brindisi and was originally built by Mark Antony, a Roman politician and soldier who died in 30 BC. It has been remade after wars and earthquakes but this is where it has stood for over 2000 years defending the city.
Fountain of the Anchors: The Fountain of the Anchors is located in Piazza Cairoli and dates back to 1937.
Cattedrale di Brindisi was built in Romanesque style in the 11th–12th centuries. What is visible today is the 18th-century reconstruction, after the original was destroyed by an earthquake in 1743. Parts of the original mosaic pavement can be seen in the interior.
The Church of Santa Teresa is a baroque-style church that overlooks the square of Brindisi. It was built in 1670 by the generosity of the Priest Francesco Monetta 1670 and was the seat of a convent of the Teresian Friars until it became a military headquarters in 1807. Since 1980 it has been the seat of the State Archives.
Monumento ai Caduti Prima Guerra Mondiale: The Monument to the Fallen of the First World War is a monument in Brindisi located in Piazza Santa Teresa, created by the homegrown Brindisi sculptor Edgardo Simone. He used Carrara marble.
The Swabian Castle of Brindisi was built by Emperor Frederick in the 13th Century AD in the shape of a trapezoid with massive square towers. It was abandoned for a few centuries and then converted to a prison in the 19th Century. In the 20th century, it was used by the Italian Navy and later converted to the residence if King Emmanuel during WWII.
Where we stayed in Brindisi Italy (and Transfers)
We stayed at this apartment on Airbnb for one week for $68 USD/night plus Airbnb cleaning fees, because I wanted to be within walking distance of everything in Central Brindisi. If we moved here and signed a long-term lease, I would expect to pay about one-third of that nightly rate, as I show above under the cost of living for long-term rents.
How we got to Brindisi Italy from Bari Italy
We took the train (ItaliaRail) from Bari to Brindisi Italy for 21 Euros ($22 USD) per person. The taxi to our Airbnb accommodations was 15 Euros, but we could have walked about 15 minutes to get there. They do not have Grab or Uber in Italy. If you walk it is only about 15 minutes depending on where your accommodations are located.
Brindisi Restaurants, Services, Markets
Restaurants, Bars (Euros E)
Brunda Pizzeria: Best pizza – vegetable pizza 12, beer 0.5L 4euro, wine bottle 18, tableware 2
SpaccaNapoli: Best pizza – Pmodra pizza 9.50, Pumpkin base pizza 8.50, wine per glass 4, tableware 2
Betty Gelateria Cafe Ristorante: Wine bottle 25, Pasta vege 12, Seafood pasta 15. water 2, tableware 2
La Cantina ti l’Artisti: Swordfish with mixed seafood 15, Alio pasta 8, wine 1liter 8, tableward 2
Il Sultano cafè & restaurant: kebab with rice 10, falafel 4.50
Ristorante gusto: seafood pasta 13, penne arrabbiata 700, big water 300, tableware 2
Cafe/Bar
Taschino Street Sud: Wine 4 per glass
Gelateria Variety: Gelato 4 (good) , beer 0.5L 6euro
Caffetteria Europa: Cappucino 2euro
Services/Markets:
Fresh Vegetable and Fruit Market: This public market has fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, and chicken.
Eurospin: One of the best supermarkets (close-in)
CONAD: Supermarket
LIDL: Our favorite cheap supermarket chain in the world.
Lecce Day Trip, Beach, and Old Town Walking Tour
While in Brindisi Italy, you can take a day trip to Lecce Italy. Lecce was our favorite town in the Puglia part of southern Italy. If you look at a map of Italy, Lecce is near the bottom of the map at the heel of the boot (Puglia).
The story of Lecce begins from the time of the Trojan Wars. Later, the Romans invaded in the 3rd century BC. Roman Emperor Hadrian moved Lecce 2 miles east and added a theatre and an amphitheater. The ruins are still observable today.
By the 11th century, Lecce was one of the most important cities in the Kingdom of Sicily. In the 16th century, Roman Emperor Charles V, installed fortifications and monuments rich in Baroque architecture.
Crossing through the 500-year-old Naples Gate into the Old City transports you through time. Approaching the Roman Amphitheatre through lanes wide enough only for Roman Chariots passing through baroque palaces, mansions, and churches as arrive at the Basilica of the Holy Cross, reminds you of your limited time on earth.
Visit the 17th-century Lecce Cathedral in late August, when the city celebrates its Saint with lights, music, and food.
Make sure to visit the tropical plants and trees of the Royal Villa Garden, Belloluogo Park for sporting traditions, and the sculptures and fountains of Giuseppe Garibaldi Gardens. Meander through the bars and restaurants offering Lecce’s famous street food, craft beers, and local wines.
Take the train from the Brindisi Central Train Station to Lecce Main Train Station, and after arrival Lecce, click this Google Map to take my walking tour of Lecce Italy.
Lecce Cathedral: The Lecce Cathedral (Cathedral of Saint Mary) dominates the Cathedral Square. The square includes the Bishop’s Palace, the Seminary, and the lofty Lecce bell tower, but the Cathedral is the main attraction. The Cathedral was renovated in 1144, 1230 and 1659.
Roman Amphitheatre: This Roman Amphitheater witnessed animal fights, and gladiatorial contests. It was discovered in 1906 while digging the footings of a bank and was likely built during the time of Augustus. It has not all been unearthed, but at the time of the competition would have held about 15,000 spectators. Augustus was the first Roman emperor and ruled Rome from 27 BC to 14 AD, the time he established the Roman Empire.
Basilica of the Holy Cross: On this site in 1510, the occupants of a monastery called the Palace of the Celestines were evicted. 39 years later, the construction of this Baroque-style Basilica of the Holy Cross began and was completed 150 years later in 1699.
Giuseppe Garibaldi Gardens: Beautiful Gardens.
Naples Gate: This Arch of Triumph was erected in 1548 and dedicated to Holy Roman Emperor Charles V who had achieved a victory over the Turks.
Are you feeling like a beach day while in Lecce?
Lecce Beach: Lecce also sits about 45 minutes inland by city bus from Lido Turrisi Beach, on the Adriatic Sea across from the northern part of Greece. That was our favorite beach in this part of Italy. More wide open and quiet. It’s not really a party beach if that is your thing. Here is where to catch the Bus from Leccee.
Lecce Restaurants
Al Ventuno: Cappuccino 2, orange juice 3. Pancake berry 6, Yogurt with nut 5
Mezzo Quinto: Mix vegetables with burrata 10, Parmigiana 8
Monopoli Day Trip and Old Town Walking Tour
While in Bari or Brindisi Italy, you can take a day trip to Monopoly. Monopoli is a town in the southern part of Italy that was first settled in about 500 BC. If you look at a map of Italy, Monopoli is near the bottom of the map at the heel of the boot. Monopoli sits on the Adriatic Sea across from the northern part of Greece.
Monopoli has a population of about 50k people. Its economy is primarily based on agriculture, industry, and tourism.
By the 15th century, Monopoli was under Venetian rule when its economy flourished as a seaport on the Adriatic Sea. Frequent attacks by Muslim pirates forced Monopoli to build strong fortifications which later allowed it to resist a Spanish attack for three months. Later, Monopoli passed peacefully into the hands of the Spanish imperials of Charles V of Habsburg.
However, in 1860 Monopoli became part of the newly unified Kingdom of Italy resulting in its population tripling to its current size steadily during the intervening years.
From Brindisi Station, the train to Monopoli takes about 45 minutes and runs multiple times per day. Once you have arrived in Monopoli, use the above Google Map to see our favorite parts of Monopoli.
Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II: was built in the 18th Century in the central square of Monopoli.
Chiesa e Monastero di San Martino has existed since the 10th century AD in an earlier form. It was rebuilt after a Spanish siege in 1529 and the monastery was added in 1620.
The Cathedral of Our Lady of Madia was constructed in 1742. Under the current Cathedral, the remains of the Romanesque crypt are still preserved. The crypt below includes archaeological evidence of humans from the 16th century BC.
The Museum of the Crypt of Romualdo includes important evidence found in the crypts and is open to the public.
Castle of Charles the 5th: was finished in 1525, and was originally separated from the medieval city. The castle was restored and enlarged during the 17th century and was later used as a jail in the 19th Century until 1969. Today the castle functions as a venue for the arts and cultural events.