While the United States, Canada, and Australia remain prime destinations for expats, Spain, Portugal, Germany, and Switzerland are also highly appreciated. Other European countries are also drawing in a diverse group of working professionals, students, and retirees. But what do these countries offer, and what are the benefits of relocating there?
The best countries in Europe for expats in 2024
Europe continues to captivate as a dream destination for expatriates from both within and outside the continent. They are drawn by promising professional opportunities and prospects for career advancement. As Europe grapples with an aging population, the region is actively seeking to attract foreign talent. While many European countries have restrictive immigration policies, Germany stands out with its more liberal regulations welcoming foreign nationals.
Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and Norway are acclaimed as the best European countries for expats. Their appeal lies in their vibrant economies, ample career opportunities, pleasant climates, excellent healthcare systems, and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability. Nonetheless, whether these countries match your long-term aspirations may vary depending on your specific needs and background.
The best countries for work
Professionals looking to relocate to Europe tend to favor Switzerland, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands. These countries are characterized by economic dynamism and an unemployment rate below 5%: 2.1% in Norway, 2.3% in Switzerland, 3.2% in Germany, and 3.7% in the Netherlands. Only Denmark (6.6%) and Sweden (8%) exceed the 5% unemployment mark.
The best countries for students
Like professionals, international students also prefer Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland, along with France and Spain. The United Kingdom remains a dream destination for many non-European students. However, it has been losing popularity with European students due to the spike in tuition fees caused by Brexit, prompting Europeans to leave, as well as its latest visa restrictions.
The best countries for retirees
Only three European countries are listed among the five best destinations for retirees: Portugal, Spain, and Greece. They compete for top spots with Morocco, Thailand, Senegal, Tunisia, Costa Rica, and Mauritius.
The benefits of popular expat countries
The benefits of Europe's most favored countries for expatriates are diverse and tailored to the needs of different demographics. Retirees, for example, prioritize the climate, quality of life, healthcare services, and the ease of pension access, seeking places that offer a serene lifestyle rather than employment opportunities. Conversely, professionals and job seekers scrutinize the labor market dynamics of these countries, focusing on factors such as unemployment rates, employment rates, and gender pay disparities. Meanwhile, families are drawn to regions with robust education systems, generous parental leave policies, and comprehensive family support services. International students, for their part, are attracted to vibrant, youthful cities that are globally connected and brimming with career opportunities.
Career prospects
In 2023, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, Finland, and Austria stood out as the most dynamic European countries regarding job quality, encompassing employment rates, compensation, and working conditions. Notably, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Sweden, and Denmark had a high volume of job vacancies. Europe continues to experience a labor shortage, with high demand for professionals such as software developers, analysts, retail salespeople, engineers, warehouse staff, production workers, accounting assistants, administrative secretaries, and marketing and advertising experts.
However, the low unemployment rates in countries like Germany and the Netherlands coincide with a rise in part-time employment. This prevalent model in Northern Europe offers a nuanced view of the employment landscape, where part-time roles, typically offering lower pay than full-time positions, are common in sectors experiencing employment pressures. In 2022, according to Eurostat, 38.4% of working adults in the Netherlands and 28.6% in Germany were employed in part-time jobs.
Gender equality
Gender equality remains a critical issue across European nations, with female expatriates aiming for international careers particularly attuned to advancements in women's rights. Luxembourg stands out uniquely with a negative gender pay gap of -0.2%, according to Eurostat. Other countries show varying degrees of pay disparity: Belgium at 5%, Spain at 8.9%, Sweden at 11.2%, Portugal at 11.9%, the Netherlands at 13.5%, Denmark at 14.2%, Finland at 16.5%, and Germany at 17.6%.
Comprehensive studies considering wage differences, living conditions, crime rates, and inclusivity initiatives place Denmark, Switzerland, Sweden, and Finland at the top of the list as the most favorable countries for women to live in Europe. However, these assessments often overlook the impact of restrictive immigration policies, which significantly affect moving abroad plans.
What students seek
Students prioritize an academic environment that fosters learning, alongside cities that offer a blend of dynamic job markets, vibrant cultural landscapes, and reasonable living costs. With their popularity, these student-centric cities face the challenge of providing adequate housing. Germany excels in attracting and welcoming them, positioning itself as a favorite among international students.
Cities like Berlin, Munich, Heidelberg, Hamburg, and Stuttgart are celebrated as prime locations for academic pursuits. Similarly, France distinguishes itself with cities like Montpellier, Rennes, and Toulouse, which are lauded for their ample housing, enjoyable living conditions, strong job markets, and lively student communities.
The importance of climate for retirees
Climate is a decisive factor for retirees considering a move to a foreign country. Seeking to escape dreary weather, they are drawn to destinations known for their sunny skies and picturesque landscapes—often described as "postcard-perfect" settings. Southern European countries like Portugal, Spain, and Greece are trendy, offering beautiful scenery and favorable living conditions. Italy and the southern regions of France are also attractive to foreign retirees, thanks to their warm climates, stunning coastal and rural vistas, excellent healthcare systems, and the relative ease of managing pensions and financial investments, which can vary depending on the retiree's country of origin.
Exploring the typical profile of expats in Europe
While there is no definitive "typical profile" for expatriates in Europe, certain patterns emerge. Many expats come from Europe itself—tthey choose to relocate within the continent to leverage the benefits of a familiar and favorable system. This is particularly prevalent among European Union (EU) citizens who move to other EU countries, through which they can bypass complex visa procedures and enjoy freedom of movement across the Union. This intracontinental migration also allows for closer proximity to family, enhancing the appeal of staying within Europe.
Regarding demographics, expats in Europe mainly fall into two categories: professionals and retirees. Professionals include both students and employed individuals, and they significantly outnumber retirees. This distribution is shaped by immigration policies that generally favor younger, economically active individuals, particularly in response to Europe's ongoing demographic challenges and labor shortages. As a result, Europe actively seeks to attract and retain foreign talent, emphasizing the vital role of these younger expatriates in the region's future.
Useful links:
Living in the European Union (residence rights, health, etc.)
Work in Denmark: Danish Agency for the Labor Market and Recruitment website
Work in Switzerland: service of the Confederation, cantons, and municipalities
