Our Top 10 Destinations for Ex-Pats
and Why they're so Popular!
As an Ex-Pat you’re always looking for somewhere that not only reminds of the UK and shares some of the cultural values, but also has much better weather too! Whether you’re seeking the sun, better job opportunities or just a new way of life, relocating to Europe offers a wealth of vibrant and charming cities to suit your expatriate needs.
In this article we’ll examine our Top 10 Destinations for Expats within Europe and explore why they’re so popular! From bustling cultural hubs to serene coastal retreats, discover why these cities are attracting more and more people from the UK, setting up a new life abroad.
Top 10 Destinations for Expats
1. Berlin, Germany
Fresh from hosting Euro 2024, Germany has set the standard for European city living. With gorgeous weather almost all year round, modern architecture and an affordable cost of living, why not choose Berlin as one of your top destinations for expats in Europe!
Situated in the North East of Germany, Berlin barely survived the bombing at the end of World War 2, but has been rebuilt to showcase it’s amazing economic and cultural growth. By far and away the largest city in Germany, Berlin is home to 3.87 million residents, with 2.6% of them possessing foreign citizenship.
Since the wall came down in 1989, Berlin has seen a rise in the number of ex-pats relocating to the city. In fact, Berlin is now host to the largest Jewish community outside of the middle east, and is home to residents from over 190 different countries.
If you’re thinking of moving to Berlin, then you’ll want to consider how things compare to back home in Britain. It is trickier to get on the property market in Berlin than in the UK. As a result Berlin’s property prices have been surging in line with the population, but they still remain cheaper compared to other European capitals. According to RentCafe the monthly rent required to live in a 2 bedroom flat in Berlin is £1,052.
Although the cost of living is significantly lower in Berlin compared to London, with rent, food and transport costing a lot less, the average monthly salary is about £500 less in Berlin. However, when the cost of living is almost £1000 less per month, you’ll be left with a lot more free cash at the end of the month to spoil yourself with.
• Berlin vs London Cost of Living
| Monthly Cost | Berlin | London |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living (1 person) | £1,597 | £2,635 |
| Rent (1 person) | £900 | £1,760 |
| Food | £388 | £456 |
| Transport | £211 | £277 |
| Salary (after tax) | £2,774 | £3,252 |
| Utilities (Electricity, Gas, Water) | £131 | £166 |
| Petrol | £1.56 | £1.51 |
Top 10 Destinations for Expats
2. Barcelona, Spain
A place in the sun is the dream for many Brits, with the majority of expats choosing Spain to relocate or retire to. So it’s no surprise that Barcelona sits second on our list of top destinations for expats. With it’s beautiful Mediterranean climate, stunning modernist architecture, and a lifestyle that balances affordability with quality, Barcelona is an attractive choice for any expat looking to move abroad.
Nestled along Spain’s North East coast, Barcelona is a city steeped in history and culture, yet is buzzing with a modern, cosmopolitan vibe. Home to 1.6 million residents, Barcelona boasts a vibrant expatriate community, with around 17% of the population hailing from foreign countries.
Since the 1992 Olympics (Barrrrcelonnnnaaaa), there has been a significant urban renewal project under foot. Since then, Barcelona has seen a steady stream of expatriates settle in this popular city. Known for it’s diverse international community, it’s not uncommon to stroll down the streets of El Raval or Eixample, and hear a mix of languages and dialects.
Barcelona’s property market has become a lot more competitive in recent years. However housing costs remain lower compared to other European cities. Rent is half that of the London, with food and transport almost half the cost again. So although the salary is almost 50% of what London is, the cost of everything else is more than 50% less than it is London. This economic balance will mean that expats will find themselves with more disposable income, allowing for a more comfortable lifestyle than in the UK (plus the better weather!)
• Barcelona vs London Cost of Living
| Monthly Cost | Barcelona | London |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living (1 person) | £1,407 | £2,635 |
| Rent (1 person) | £824 | £1,760 |
| Food | £349 | £456 |
| Transport | £130 | £277 |
| Salary (after tax) | £1,706 | £3,252 |
| Utilities (Electricity, Gas, Water) | £87.30 | £166 |
| Petrol | £1.44 | £1.51 |
Top 10 Destinations for Expats
3. Amsterdam, Netherlands
We’ve already done an in-depth article that looks at moving to Amsterdam, but here we’re going to cover the basics and the most important aspect of any move, the costs!
If you’re a fan of city life and classic culture, then Amsterdam may be the place for you. With its picturesque canals, charming architecture and a progressive and inclusive culture, Amsterdam makes a great case of one of the top destinations for expats to relocate to.
Home to approximately 918,110 residents, Amsterdam is one of the smaller cities in our list, yet boasts a high percentage of foreign nationals, with over 13% of the population coming from other countries.
Although the cost of living is £600 less in Amsterdam than in London, the amount of savings elsewhere doesn’t quite add up to make Amsterdam less expensive overall. Petrol is more expensive, and food costs are literally the same, so your only savings come from rent and cheaper utilities. So unless you’ve got a very well paid job, moving to Amsterdam purely on the culture and looks, may not be the best choice for an expat looking for a European city to move to.
• Amsterdam vs London Cost of Living
| Monthly Cost | Amsterdam | London |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living (1 person) | £2,020 | £2,635 |
| Rent (1 person) | £1,309 | £1,760 |
| Food | £427 | £456 |
| Transport | £172 | £277 |
| Salary (after tax) | £3,006 | £3,252 |
| Utilities (Electricity, Gas, Water) | £126 | £166 |
| Petrol | £1.67 | £1.51 |
Top 10 Destinations for Expats
4. Lisbon, Portugal
One of the largest cities on our list, with over 3 million residents in the greater metropolitan area as of 2024, is Lisbon, Portugal. Making up more than 5% of the population of Portugal, Lisbon is the political and economic centre of the country. With an estimated 70% identifying as Catholic, with only about 30% of of all citizens regularly attending Church services. According to a recent survey, expatriates make up 9.3% of the total population of Lisbon.
Originally know for it’s network of trams that began back in 1873, Lisbon still retains a sixth of the original network, with Trams still proving the easiest and most popular way to get around the city.
With prices significantly lower than the UK for almost everything, if you’re on a budget and looking for that perfect city which blends a bit of every culture with a healthy dollop of sunshine, then Lisbon should be at the top of your list. The cost of living is half that of the London in the UK, with rent more than half the cost, and transport more than a third of the cost back home!
The only thing you will pay more for is petrol, but when Lisbon is so compact and served with excellent public transport, there really is no need for a car! Don’t believe us? Check out this recent couple who moved to Lisbon after travelling the world!
• Lisbon vs London Cost of Living
| Monthly Cost | Lisbon | London |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living (1 person) | £1,344 | £2,635 |
| Rent (1 person) | £839 | £1,760 |
| Food | £319 | £456 |
| Transport | £72.70 | £277 |
| Salary (after tax) | £969 | £3,252 |
| Utilities (Electricity, Gas, Water) | £85.90 | £166 |
| Petrol | £1.56 | £1.51 |
Top 10 Destinations for Expats
5. Zurich, Switzerland
Switzerland’s Capital and largest city is Zurich, the global centre for banking and finance, situated in the north of Switzerland, and home to a population of 400,000 people. From these figures Swiss citizens make up 68.7% of Zurich’s inhabitants, with 31.3% being non-Swiss-nationals.
Situated some 400m above sea-level, Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland, with non-Swiss nationals coming from over 172 different countries. All of which combine to make-up Zurich’s rich multi-cultural heritage. In fact, 6% of all foreigners who move to Switzerland, move to Zurich, emphasising its role as an economic hub. Not surprisingly, the Swiss neighbours, Germany, make up the biggest group of non-nationals, with over 33,000 of them living in the city.
One out of every 11 jobs in Switzerland, is in the City of Zurich. Generating around a quarter of the city’s economic output, the financial sector is responsible for over 39,000 jobs, and plays a huge role in Switzerland’s image and financial future.
Although the average salary in Zurich is more than it is in London, when it comes to things like food and petrol, you’re going to be paying among the highest prices in all of Europe. Rent and Utility costs are fairly similar, but when the food costs are almost £300 more a month, you’ll need to make some sacrifices, or invest in a restaurant before you move to Zurich!
• Zurich vs London Cost of Living
| Monthly Cost | Zurich | London |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living (1 person) | £2,682 | £2,635 |
| Rent (1 person) | £1,580 | £1,760 |
| Food | £714 | £456 |
| Transport | £170 | £277 |
| Salary (after tax) | £5,205 | £3,252 |
| Utilities (Electricity, Gas, Water) | £153 | £166 |
| Petrol | £1.64 | £1.51 |
Top 10 Destinations for Expats
6. Vienna, Austria
Vienna, capital of Austria and known by Sigmund Freud as “The City of Dreams” is rated as one of the best places to live in the world due to it’s high quality of life. Home to almost 2 million residents, Vienna is the 5th largest city in the EU, first documented back in the year 881.
Foreign nationals, or expatriates, make up a strong 34.2% of Vienna’s residents. With it’s central European location, it’s no surprise that people move from all around the world to live in one of Europe’s most classical cities. In fact, it is still possible to live in Vienna at almost the same pace and style as it was a century ago. The same baroque classical music is still bellowed out the concert halls, and the local taverns still bear scars from the second world war, not forgetting the endless coffee shops and cafes.
Producing about 20% of the jobs in Austria, and almost half of the countries consumer goods, Vienna has incredible infrastructure, sporting over 40% of green spaces and is a hub for education, research and innovation. With an employment rate at 72% (4% higher than the EU average), finding a job in Vienna as an expatriate shouldn’t be too difficult either.
If we look at the cost of living in Vienna compared to London, you’ll see some very different figures. Not only is the cost of living over £1000 less than in London, rent is more than half the cost too. Although the monthly salary is £1000 less than London, you’re more than making up for it with cheaper food, cheaper petrol and considerably cheaper transport!
So if you’re looking for one of the top destinations for expats, and don’t quite fancy a city by the sea, then Vienna might just be the place for you! With over 40% of the city’s area accounted for by parks, gardens and woodland, it mixes the perfect blend of city life with country living all in one location!
• Vienna vs London Cost of Living
| Monthly Cost | Vienna | London |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living (1 person) | £1,471 | £2,635 |
| Rent (1 person) | £752 | £1,760 |
| Food | £435 | £456 |
| Transport | £142 | £277 |
| Salary (after tax) | £2,326 | £3,252 |
| Utilities (Electricity, Gas, Water) | £151 | £166 |
| Petrol | £1.43 | £1.51 |
Top 10 Destinations for Expats
7. Copenhagen, Denmark
Founded by the Vikings in the 10th Century, Copenhagen became the capital of Denmark way back in the 15th century. Home to over 650,000 residents, just over a quarter of these are foreign residents, making it an ideal city for ex pats looking to integrate with the culture easily.
With a 20% population growth expected by 2025, there have been 45,000 new houses built, with over 2.8 million metres² of new retail and educational spaces to be built by 2025. A world leader in green growth, Copenhagen is aiming to become completely carbon neutral by 2025 too!
Ranked by Monocle as the most liveable city in the world in 2021, living in Copenhagen has it’s ups and downs. Although the cost of living in about £700 less per month, than in London, the cost of food is more expensive and so is the cost of fuel. The only real benefits over the cost of living in London are the discounted rent (£700 cheaper) and a monthly saving of £100 when using public transport.
So although Copenhagen is slightly cheaper to live than the likes of London, unless you speak Danish, you’ll find it difficult to integrate into Danish society and culture. The Danish response to covid-19 reflected their culture exactly, promoting collective responsibility and togetherness. So unless you’re willing to learn a new language, and change your cultural outlook, moving to Copenhagen permanently will be a tricky affair.
• Copenhagen vs London Cost of Living
| Monthly Cost | Copenhagen | London |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living (1 person) | £1,894 | £2,635 |
| Rent (1 person) | £1,098 | £1,760 |
| Food | £496 | £456 |
| Transport | £162 | £277 |
| Salary (after tax) | £3,107 | £3,252 |
| Utilities (Electricity, Gas, Water) | £116 | £166 |
| Petrol | £1.65 | £1.51 |
Top 10 Destinations for Expats
8. Munich, Germany
Located some 30 miles North of the Alps, sits Germany’s third largest city, Munich. With the Isar river flowing through the middle of the city, it’s home to almost 1.5 million residents. As of 2021, 28.8% of these residents are foreign nationals, meaning that if you move to Munich as an expat, then more than 1 in 4 people will also be in the same boat.
With annual festivals like Oktoberfest and picturesque architecture, if you’re looking for unique blend of modern city living combined with German culture, then look no further than Munich. Although English isn’t the main language, German is one of the easier languages to pick up and learn. This will also mean an easier time meeting people and making new friends.
You might also have to learn how to ride a bike if you move to Munich! Although not as popular as Amsterdam, cycling in Munich accounts for almost 20% of all traffic. Germans place priority on efficiency and the environment, so it makes sense that the public transport in and around Munich is one of the best in Europe, if not the world.
When we look at the average living costs compared to London, you’ll notice a bit of a difference. Not only is the cost of living almost £1000 less in Munich, rent is considerably cheaper and so is the cost of transport. With petrol and food roughly costing the same, even the wages are almost identical, with the average in Munich and London both at over £3000 per month. So all in all, if you can afford to live in London, then you’ll find things a lot more comfortable when moving to Munich.
• Munich vs London Cost of Living
| Monthly Cost | Munich | London |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living (1 person) | £1,737 | £2,635 |
| Rent (1 person) | £1,053 | £1,760 |
| Food | £402 | £456 |
| Transport | £161 | £277 |
| Salary (after tax) | £3,069 | £3,252 |
| Utilities (Electricity, Gas, Water) | £141 | £166 |
| Petrol | £1.59 | £1.51 |
Top 10 Destinations for Expats
9. Paris, France
With a global average quality of life score of 70%, Paris sits surprisingly lower than the world wide average of 72%. So why do people move to Paris? With it’s wide variety of cultural culinary options and affordable healthcare, many people choose the city of love as one of the top destinations for expats. However, recent studies have placed France 41st out of 49 in an expat ranking studies. Many claim they cannot cope with the low pay, political problems and even unfriendly local residents.
One major selling point of Paris is it’s location. Literally in the heart of Europe, Paris has 6 major train stations that connect with the rest of France and other European destinations. With 2 main airports, Charles de Gaulle and Orly, you can travel to any part of the world within a matter of hours.
Another key factor which bring Paris it’s charm is it’s culture and work/life balance. The French place great value on rest and relaxation, so it’s entirely normal to take long lunch breaks or actually leave the office on time! This attitude and balanced approach helps reduce stress and has a positive effect on mental health. This is strengthened further with the French labour laws. Not only is the standard working week only 35 hours, the minimum number of vacation days is 25.
Once you’ve lived in France for 3 months you’ll have access to their fantastic healthcare system. Not only are waiting lists almost non-existent, the costs are considerably lower than anywhere else in Europe, with 70% being reimbursed by the state. In some Alsation towns like Strasbourg, the state contribution is as high as 90%. As a result, even with Paris having a reputation for culinary delights, the health-score index is higher than the European average.
From a cost of living perspective, choosing Paris as your expat destination, you won’t go too far wrong. Compared to London, living in Paris costs almost £1000 less per month, with lower rent, transport and utility costs. The monthly salary is slightly less, but you’ll have to pay more for your petrol and of course your food. However, with an endless supply of bakeries, restaurants and cafes you’ll never go hungry or yearn for something a bit different when moving to Paris as an expat.
• Paris vs London Cost of Living
| Monthly Cost | Paris | London |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living (1 person) | £1,770 | £2,635 |
| Rent (1 person) | £994 | £1,760 |
| Food | £475 | £456 |
| Transport | £196 | £277 |
| Salary (after tax) | £2,503 | £3,252 |
| Utilities (Electricity, Gas, Water) | £105 | £166 |
| Petrol | £1.68 | £1.51 |
Top 10 Destinations for Expats
10. Prague, Czech Republic
One of the rising stars on the European scene is Prague, in the Czech Republic. Situated in the East end of Europe, Prague hosts some stunning architecture and a tricky language that can be a stumbling block for many expats.
Home to over 1.3 million inhabitants, Prague is also home to the World’s Largest Castle that covers over 18 acres. Around 10% of the population is made up from foreign nationals. A figure that has been increasing year on year, with the most common nationality being Ukrainian.
If you’re worried about crime and safety in Prague, then you needn’t worry. The Czech Republic was ranked as 3rd safest place to live in the world, and is the safest country to live in on our top 10 list of destinations for expats. It’s also very easy to get about Prague and neighbouring European countries with their excellent public transport system that includes Trolleybuses! For example, you can get to Berlin within 4 hours for less the 40 Euros on the train, or 15 Euros by bus!
Prague has a little bit of everything for everyone. With vast and dynamic landscapes, a thriving wine culture and several National Parks, no matter if you like wine tasting or want to go hiking, Prague and the Czech Republic has something for everyone’s tastes, solidifying itself as one of the top destinations for expats.
When it comes to the cost of living, Prague is the cheapest entry on our list of top destinations for expats. With transport costs a third of what they are in London, rent and food also about half the price, it’s only the lower monthly salary in Prague that lets it down. However, when petrol is 20p a litre cheaper than back home, and you’re paying less for utilities, you will find yourself with a lot more disposable income at the end of the month.
• Prague vs London Cost of Living
| Monthly Cost | Prague | London |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living (1 person) | £1,215 | £2,635 |
| Rent (1 person) | £733 | £1,760 |
| Food | £299 | £456 |
| Transport | £81.10 | £277 |
| Salary (after tax) | £1,326 | £3,252 |
| Utilities (Electricity, Gas, Water) | £136 | £166 |
| Petrol | £1.32 | £1.51 |
Top 10 Destinations for Expats
Move to your European City of Choice
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