Best Cities for Expats Revealed as Lisbon Tops Global Livability Ranking

As increasing numbers of people relocate overseas for career opportunities, lifestyle changes, and greater flexibility, a new report has identified the top cities for expats to truly enjoy living in. The research evaluated everything from healthcare and public safety to affordability and how simple it is to adapt to a new environment, with European cities claiming most of the leading positions.

With more individuals leaving behind conventional home bases in favour of life abroad, a fresh international ranking has highlighted the world’s best cities for expats to settle in.

Rather than focusing only on scenic attractions and tax advantages, the report examined the factors that matter most when moving overseas, including healthcare, security, living costs, social opportunities, and even the strength of passports.

According to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, more than 300 million people currently reside outside their birth country — almost twice as many as in 1990.

Following the pandemic, the number of remote employees and digital nomads has surged, joining retirees and professionals relocating for employment.

Global Citizen Solutions, a residency and citizenship planning consultancy, has now published its first-ever World’s Most Livable Cities for Expats ranking, assessing 35 cities across six continents as attractive destinations for the rapidly expanding community of globally mobile residents.

The firm’s Global Intelligence Unit looked beyond standard urban performance indicators and instead assessed cities across seven separate categories.

These included living expenses, safety, air quality, healthcare, ease of integration, English language proficiency, and enhanced mobility — referring to passport strength and visa-free access.

Using publicly available data, the unit scored every city on a scale from 0 to 100, with each category assigned a different weighting. Safety and healthcare carried the greatest combined weighting, underlining their importance in long-term relocation choices.

Ultimately, Lisbon secured the number one position, narrowly ahead of Amsterdam. Altogether, five European destinations appeared within the top 10.

Top 10 Most Livable Cities for Expats

Lisbon, Portugal: 88.49/100
Amsterdam, Netherlands: 81.97/100
Melbourne, Australia: 81.79/100
Vienna, Austria: 81.07/100
Barcelona, Spain: 80.7/100
Singapore: 80.58
Auckland, New Zealand: 80.15
Tokyo, Japan: 79.78
Copenhagen, Denmark: 79.57
Seoul, South Korea: 78.89

A Detailed Look at the Top Three Cities for Expats
Lisbon

Portugal’s capital claimed the top spot thanks to its consistently impressive results across every category, rather than excelling in just one specific area.

It ranks among the more budget-friendly cities in the index, scoring far lower in living costs compared to cities such as Vienna, Amsterdam, and Copenhagen.

Lisbon also recorded strong English proficiency levels, along with excellent air quality and safety standards that outperform many other European destinations.

Another major advantage Lisbon offers over several continental hubs is its variety of legal residency routes, including residence-by-investment programs and digital nomad visas, making it especially appealing for expats.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam earned second place in the ranking after performing strongly across nearly all categories.

The Dutch capital offers high levels of safety, quality healthcare, and clean air, while also being highly accessible for international residents.

It achieved the highest English proficiency score among all European cities included in the ranking, helping minimise language difficulties in daily activities and administrative procedures.

Widely recognised for its car-free lifestyle — with walking, cycling, and public transportation accounting for more than 70% of trips between 2015 and 2022 — Amsterdam is particularly attractive for expats seeking to live without a car.

However, the city’s biggest drawback is its high cost of living. Amsterdam ranks among the more expensive locations on the list, making it less affordable for some expats.

Although its ease-of-settling-in score suggests that building social connections may take time, Amsterdam still provides a balanced and dependable quality of life for those able to afford it.

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne was the only non-European city to feature within the top five and delivered strong results across several categories.

Alongside Singapore, Auckland, and Vancouver, it recorded the highest English proficiency levels in the entire ranking and was also recognised as one of the cleanest cities listed.

The Australian city further benefits from high-quality healthcare, political stability, and advanced urban infrastructure. Together, these elements contribute to a strong quality of life, making Melbourne especially popular among expats relocating from other English-speaking nations.

Its weaker point was safety, where it scored comparatively lower than many European cities, representing the main limitation in an otherwise balanced overall profile.