New study unveils the hottest European destinations for expats in 2023

Many of us dream of living abroad at some point in our lives. Whether you yearn for a brief escape or a grand new chapter, the question remains: which city will provide the perfect backdrop for your extraordinary journey?

To help make the decision easier, Travel Far And Wide have created a ranking of the best cities in Europe for expats, based on the most up-to-date information about factors including the cost of living, safety, happiness scores and other important metrics.

Helsinki is crowned Europe’s best city for expats, followed by Swiss cities Lausanne and Bern

Helsinki proudly claims the title of the best city in Europe for expats. The Finnish capital boasts an outstanding safety rating of 75.21 out of 100, as well as a perfect 5 out of 5 rating for its happiness levels, walkability and nightlife. Even those who prefer public transportation over strolling will find solace here, as a monthly pass for public transport cost an affordable £58.

Following closely behind, Swiss cities Lausanne and Bern seize the second and third spots. Among them, Bern reigns supreme in terms of safety, achieving a higher score than any other city at 82.45 out of 100. While the cost of living in these cities surpasses Helsinki’s, averaging over £3,000 per month, the compensation lies in the cities’ higher average salaries.

Switzerland secures two additional cities in the ranking, with Zürich and Basel taking the ninth and tenth spots, respectively. This exceptional feat solidifies Switzerland’s position as the country with the most high-ranking cities for expats.

Prague offers expats the cheapest cost of living

Prague places fourth in the overall ranking, but offers the cheapest cost of living for expats at an average of just £1,807 per month. The Czech city is also the cheapest on the list for public transport specifically, with a monthly pass costing just £20.68.

The full top 10 ranking is shown in the table below.