The best European countries to live in 2026 include Portugal, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Denmark. These nations all stand out for their excellent quality of life, including universal healthcare for citizens and, in many cases, residents.
Data for this list has been drawn from our Global Intelligence Unit’s Quality of Life Index, which rates countries based on factors like environmental sustainability, the cost of living, infrastructure, and personal and political freedoms. Additional data has also been used, and a crucial factor was ease of immigration.
Our article breaks down the best countries to live in for expats in Europe, provides crucial metrics for each nation, and explores the available visas for immigration.
Best European Countries to Live in: Key Takeaways
Best European Countries to Live In: Comparison
| Country | Cost of Living | Average Monthly Salary | Quality of Life Index | Passport Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal | €1,200 to €1,800 | €1,620 | 12th | 28th |
| Germany | €1,500 to €2,000 | €4,100 | 3rd | 4th |
| Greece | €1,150 to €1,200 | €1,300 | 38th | 42nd |
| Sweden | €1,700 to €2,300 | €3,500 | 1st | 1st |
| Ireland | €2,500 to €3,000 | €4,500 | 10th | 7th |
| Netherlands | €1,900 to €2,100 | €3,950 | 6th | 6th |
| Malta | €1,200 to €1,600 | €2,050 | 32nd | 25th |
| Denmark | €2,100 to €2,750 | €5,800 | 4th | 5th |
| Switzerland | €2,500 to €3,500 | €8,800 | 31st | 2nd |
| Finland | €1,900 to €2,700 | €4,000 | 2nd | 3rd |
| Spain | €1,200 to €2,000 | €2,300 | 9th | 20th |
11 Best European Countries to Live In
01/ Portugal
Portugal is the best European country to live in for expats due to its exceptional quality of life, welcoming immigration policies, and affordability. The country is on average 30% to 50% less expensive than the US, and the monthly cost of living for a couple is between €2,500 and €3,000 in Lisbon.
Lisbon and Porto, the two largest cities in the country, are the main expat hubs. As of 2024, there were over 19,000 US citizens living in Portugal. English is widely spoken, and this vibrant expat community makes integration easier for foreigners.
Portugal’s also known for its pleasant year-round weather, with 2,500 to 3,200 hours of sunshine annually, which averages close to 9 hours a day at the top end.
Foreigners can also access Portugal’s healthcare, which provides low-cost primary care, emergency services, hospital treatment, and routine medical support. In addition, Portugal is one of the safest countries in the world, ranking 7th on the Global Peace Index.
The combination of high quality of life, affordability, political stability, and welcoming locals ranked Portugal first in our 2025 Global Retirement Report as the world’s best retirement destination.
Best visa options:
- Portugal D7 Visa: This visa is suitable for retirees and passive income earners who generate at least €920 per month.
- Portugal D8 Visa: Designed for digital nomads, this visa requires professionals to earn at least €3,680 per month.
- Portugal Golden Visa: Investors can obtain temporary residency in Portugal by making a significant economic contribution of at least €200,000.
02/ Germany
Germany ranks highly thanks to an excellent education system, world-class healthcare, and a high quality of life. According to our Global Education Report, the country ranks 4th in education.
Like all the other countries on the list, Germany has a universal healthcare system. This enables all residents to access an exceptional standard of healthcare. Additionally, private plans are available and cost between €200 and €600 per month, depending on the desired level of coverage.
Germany is also known for its strong labor laws and resultant work-life balance. The country offers 25-30 days of paid annual leave, and the average salary is roughly €2,800-€3,100 after taxes and other contributions.
Best visa option:
- Investor Visa Germany: This visa has no set minimum, however, the financial investment must be significant (€360,000+). The visa lasts for 3 years, after which permanent residency can be applied for.
03/ Greece
Greece is a superb option for expats due to its immigration pathways, low cost of living, and rich culture. The cost of living in the nation is around €1,600-€2,300 per month for a couple, making it one of the most affordable countries in Europe.
The country receives over 300 days of sunshine per year, with mild winters and pleasant summers. Greece is made up of 6,000 islands and islets, from Santorini with its whitewashed houses and volcanic cliffs, to Milos, known for its white lunar rock formations and secret cave beaches. Expats are sure to find a place that suits them.
Ancient monuments and modern cities define Greece, offering excellent cultural attractions such as the Acropolis Museum and the National Archaeological Museum. Additionally, the nation is known for its excellent, healthy cuisine, which expats can enjoy at world-renowned restaurants like Delta in Athens, which holds two Michelin stars.
Greece provides several tax benefits to foreign residents. These include the Greek flat tax regime, which applies a 7% flat tax to foreign pensioners, a 50% income tax exemption for eligible new residents and remote workers, and a special Non-Dom regime that applies a flat tax to foreign income.
Best visa options:
- Greece Digital Nomad Visa: This visa requires a minimum income of €3,500, lasts for 1 year, and is renewable.
- Greece Golden Visa: Investors must spend at least €250,000 to qualify for the program. With this, they receive a 5-year, renewable residence permit that can lead to citizenship in 7 years.
- FIP Visa Greece: This program is designed for non‑EU/EEA individuals who want to live in Greece without needing employment. It requires a net income of at least €3,500 per month.
04/ Sweden
Sweden provides the highest quality of life in the world, ranking 1st in the Quality of Life Index. Additionally, the country’s passport ranks 1st in the Global Passport Index, with visa-free access to 128 countries, including the US and the UK.
The average monthly salary in the country is about 44,900 SEK (~$4,100 to ~$4,300). This will vary by location, with large cities like Stockholm and Gothenburg offering the most competitive salaries.
Sweden is also highly proficient in English, with over 90% of the country’s population speaking it. The nation has one of the highest levels of English proficiency among non-native-speaking countries, consistently ranking in the top 5 to 10 on the EF English Proficiency Index.
Best visa options:
- Work Permit: This option requires a formal job offer from the employer, initiating the application.
- Highly Skilled Visa/EU Blue Card: For professionals with advanced degrees or significant experience. The Blue Card offers mobility within the EU.
05/ Ireland
Ireland has a strong economy, ranking 5th in the world by GDP per capita, an excellent quality of life, ranking 10th on the Quality-of-Life Index, and world-class healthcare from both the public and private sectors.
The cost of living in the country is high, with Dublin among the most expensive cities in Western Europe. This is offset by the quality of public services, in particular, healthcare. Ireland’s healthcare ranked 2nd globally in 2024 for innovation.
Smaller cities like Cork and Galway offer lower living costs, with Cork averaging €1,600-€3,500 per month for a single person. Ireland is also a growing expat hub, with many nationalities represented across the country.
Best visa option:
- Ireland Startup Entrepreneur Visa: Also known as STEP, this program requires at least €50,000 in funding and a unique, scalable business idea with the potential to create jobs and target international markets.
06/ Netherlands
The Netherlands is an immigration-friendly nation, thanks to its visa options, expat communities, and widespread English use. The country ranked 1st in the 2025 EF English Proficiency Index, which considered 123 countries and regions.
More than 1.5 million foreign nationals live in the Netherlands. This represents approximately 8.5% of the country’s total population. Major cities like Amsterdam, Utrecht, and Rotterdam all have large, active expat communities.
Citizenship of the Netherlands can be acquired after five years of legal residence in the country. Additionally, applicants must pass certain integration requirements, such as the civic integration exam, which assesses language skills and societal knowledge.
Best visa options:
- Highly Skilled Migrant Visa: This is an employee-sponsored visa. The minimum monthly income is €5,942 for those aged 30 or older, with a lower minimum for younger people.
- Dutch Startup Visa: The visa allows expats to start a business in the Netherlands, provided they can prove sufficient means to support themselves and the company.
07/ Malta
Malta is a Mediterranean nation with English as an official language, strong expat communities, and multiple immigration options. The country ranks 10th in the Digital Nomad Index, making it a desirable choice for remote professionals.
Malta is one of the most LGBTQ-friendly countries in the world, thanks to its combination of robust legal protections against discrimination, equal rights for marriage and adoption, and a ban on conversion therapy since 2016.
Tax optimization is one area in which Malta excels for high-net-worth individuals. With no wealth or inheritance tax and special programs that provide a 15% flat rate on remitted income, the taxes in Malta allow foreign nationals to structure themselves optimally.
Best visa options:
- Malta Residency by Investment: The program allows investors to obtain residence in the country through a qualifying investment of at least €375,000, a contribution of €37,000 to the government, and a donation of €2,000 to a local NGO.
- Malta Digital Nomad Visa: This visa allows digital nomads earning a gross annual income of €42,000 to live in the country for 1 year and it is renewable.
- Malta Retirement Programme: To qualify for the program, applicants must rent or buy property and pay a minimum yearly tax of €7,500 at a rate of 15%.
08/ Denmark
Denmark ranks 4th in the world on the Quality-of-Life Index and 3rd on the Enhanced Mobility Index. People with a Danish passport have access to 184 countries, 128 of which are visa-free and the remainder are visa-on-arrival.
The country has extremely supportive welfare programs with free healthcare, education, and child support. Healthcare in Denmark is among the best in the world, with most services being free.
Denmark has strong labor laws, including a 37-hour workweek and a statutory entitlement to 5 weeks of annual vacation. These conditions create a harmonious work-life balance and contribute to the country’s position as the second-happiest in the world.
Best visa option:
Work Visa: This visa is required for employment, with a minimum yearly income of DKK 446,000 (~$70,000).
09/ Switzerland
Switzerland is one of the safest countries in the world, scoring 4th on the latest Global Peace Index demonstrating political stability. It is also a global financial hub with some of the highest average salaries in Europe. The average salary is CHF 95,000 (~$121,000) annually demonstrating economic stability.
The nation ranks 31st on the Quality-of-Life Index thanks to excellent public services, which help offset the cost of living. One such service is healthcare, which is universal, efficient, and widely accessible.
Located in the middle of Europe, the country is considered to be a tax haven. Furthermore, Switzerland places a strong emphasis on work-life balance, with Sunday observed as a day of rest.
Best visa option:
Swiss Residence Permit: This is an option for high-net-worth individuals who create a special tax agreement with the country. The annual tax cannot be lower than CHF 434,700 (~$550,000).
10/ Finland
Finland is the happiest country in the world, ranking 1st in the World Happiness Index. The country balances strong social security systems, such as healthcare and education, with a bustling economy that produces a high GDP per capita, ranking 10th in the EU.
Safety is another metric in which Finland excels, ranking 10th in the Global Peace Index. The country has over 188,000 lakes, many fjords, and mountain ranges, making it a superb choice for those dedicated to the outdoors.
Finland enjoys high levels of trust in public institutions and extremely low crime rates. The country also has a high level of equality, thanks in part to its welfare systems. Additionally, public transport is inexpensive and efficient, making it a convenient means of moving around the country.
Best visa option:
Residence Permit: Required for stays in Finland exceeding 90 days. It can be acquired for work, studies, or familial ties.
11/ Spain
Spain is a top choice for individuals looking to live in Europe. With an average of 300 sunny days per year, it’s one of the sunniest places in Europe, which contributes to its high quality of life.
Spain’s also extremely safe, ranking 25th in the Global Peace Index. It has one of the lowest homicide rates in Europe at 0.64 per 100,000 population based on 2020 data.
The country boasts a variety of cities to suit different lifestyles. Barcelona has a Mediterranean vibe, a cosmopolitan feel, and a growing startup scene. Madrid, the capital, features strong corporate opportunities and big-city energy. Valencia attracts digital nomads with its beaches and more affordable prices.
The cost of living in Spain is also attractive, and 25–40% cheaper than in the UK and France. Moreover, Spain offers strong tax advantages through the Special Expat Regime, known as the Beckham Law. Eligible foreign workers can pay a flat 24% tax on Spanish employment income up to €600,000.
These features make Spain particularly attractive to digital nomads, and in 2025, it ranked first in the Global Citizen Solutions Digital Nomad Report as the best country for remote workers.
Best visa options:
- Spain Digital Nomad Visa: The program allows non-EU citizens to live and work remotely in Spain for up to 12 months. There is the possibility of renewal for up to five years, which can eventually lead to permanent residency. Applicants must earn at least €2,850 per month.
- Spain Non-Lucrative Visa: Ideal for retirees, this visa allows non-EU citizens to live in Spain without working, provided they show sufficient passive income of €28,800/year.
How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?
Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique investment migration consultancy firm focused on finding the right residency or citizenship by investment program for individuals wishing to secure their future and become global citizens. With offices in Portugal, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, and Brazil, our multilingual team guides individuals and families from start to finish, providing expert advice considering freedom, mobility, taxation, and security.
- We have helped hundreds of clients from 35+ countries in all the top residency by investment and citizenship by investment programs. With an in-depth and comprehensive understanding of the area, we provide our clients with solid guidance.
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