7 Best Cities to Live in Europe as an Expat (2025)

1. Zurich, Switzerland

Although famously expensive, Zurich is regarded as one of the best places to live in Europe year after year. It's not just me who thinks this city is great but the European Union itself, even though Switzerland isn't even part of the club.

If you can afford living in Zurich, likely by working in-person in finance or tech, you'll be rewarded with a fantastic lifestyle. Although Zurich is surrounded by some of the best nature in the world, it's not quite as touristy as other destinations in the region.

While you'll likely enjoy a similar lifestyle in other Swiss cities, Zurich offers the most job opportunities and the biggest expat hub to help you settle in and make friends. Many international companies have hubs here and getting a job is the best way to get your foot in the door.

For those looking for a great work-life balance and easy access to incredible nature, Zurich is tough to beat.

Learn more about living in Zurich to see if it's the city for you.

Visa Options to Live in Switzerland

To legally move to Switzerland you'll likely need either a work visa, student visa, or retirement visa. Although other options exist, these are the most common ones.

A big thing to keep in mind is that work visas in Switzerland are only valid for 1-year so you'll have to constantly deal with immigration until you're able to get permanent residency (between 5-10 years). The good thing is that most companies who hire internationally understand this and are willing to help with your visa but it's still something to keep in mind.

The retirement visa is only for those older than 55. If you're from the EU, it's a bit more straightforward. You'll only need to prove that you can support yourself financially and have health insurance. This will give you a 5-year renewable visa. For non-EU citizens, you'll have to additionally prove you have some ties to the country (like real estate or family) but will only get a 1-year renewable visa.

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2. Trieste, Italy

Trieste is my current home abroad. My husband got a job offer with an international company here and intrigued by the idea of living in Italy, he took it.

Although an Italian city, Trieste is uniquely its own. Located in Northern Italy in the lesser-known Friuli Venezia Giulia (FVG) region, this city sits right on the Adriatic Sea and the border with Slovenia, so much so that when zooming in a map you'll be surprised that it's actually part of Italy and not Slovenia itself.

Trieste has a history unlike anywhere else in Italy which makes it feel super different than other Italian cities you might visit while living here. This blend of cultural diversity has made it a lot of fun. We of course get to enjoy aperitivos, the perfect cappuccinos, and fantastic food but all with a twist.

Although most people initially think of moving to Florence, Rome, or Milan, if you're like me and prefer a more laid-back lifestyle, less tourists, and easier access to nature, you'll love Trieste, too.

Trieste sits right on the border with Slovenia in Northern Italy. Not only is it already directly on the water, it also means you can be in the heart of Dolomites or Venice or Austria or the beaches of Croatia in just 2 hours. In around an hour you can visit Ljubljana. There's a small but great regional airport just 25 minutes away by train. For someone that loves traveling as much as I do, Trieste has been an absolutely perfect destination for exploring Italy and other European cities and towns.

While many people do speak Italian here (and some Slovenian and Croatian), there are people that speak English, especially the younger generations. Like most border towns, it's really culturally rich with people from all over the world living here. Knowing some Italian (I've enjoyed learning with Mondly) will help you to have small talk with your neighbors, order at restaurants, and enjoy all the city has to offer.

Another perk to living in Trieste compared to other major cities in Italy is the more affordable cost of living. Prices for rent and going out to eat aren't as much compared to other Italian cities so you can enjoy all the perks of life in Italy without blowing your budget.

Visa Options to Live in Italy

Like most countries in the European Union, most nationalities are given 90 days every 180 days to be here visa-free. This is good to dip your toes into the waters of living in Italy but not enough to settle in. To stay longer, you'll need residency or a Permesso di Soggiorno.

While getting a visa to live in Italy is more than possible, do know that to secure one you really need to want it because this can be a long process. For reference, it took a year for my husband's work visa to come through after being hired. We were told that the process was this long because he's Colombian and other nationalities can be quicker but I still think it's important to be aware that immigration can be slow.

For a work visa, unless you're an EU citizen, you'll need to line up the job before arriving to Italy. The job market is tough here though so use whatever network you have here and make applying for jobs a real commitment in order to secure something.

Otherwise, you'll need to apply for a Student Visa or a Working Holiday Visa. Trieste does have a well-known university so for those looking to study abroad, this could be a great fit.

Italy also launched a digital nomad visa last year making it easier for remote workers to move here.

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3. Cádiz, Spain

Cádiz was recommended to us at A Way Abroad from Meredith, an American who has spent nearly the last decade living all around Spain. The moment she settled into Cádiz, she knew she found her paradise.

While I haven't yet been here, I have fallen in love with nearby Sevilla so can understand the pull of Andalusia and the appreciation of a sea breeze to cool down the hot summer days.

The Cádiz province is part of Andalusia, the southern region of the country, therefore the warmest of other points in the region. And unlike other Spanish cities, the name Cádiz doesn't exist in other colonized countries/territories in South America. This fact makes it all the more delicious to have called it home.

The architectural wonders, the lengthy paseo, scattered parks, and the sea all bid for the top spot of what to see and experience when living here.

With so many things to see and do in Cádiz, you won't quickly grow bored here. When you first arrive, I'd advise checking out the tourist hotspots and giving yourself some time to ease in. After a few weeks, you'll soon be discovering the quaint spots that make this place feel like home.

Learn more about living in Cádiz to see if it's the city for you.

Want more Spain options? Consider instead:

• Madrid
• Barcelona
• Mallorca
• Gran Canaria
• Córdoba

Visa Options to Live in Spain

Although not the only way to be able to move abroad to Spain, many expats come here as English teachers with either the BEDA program or the Auxiliares program. Another popular option is if you're hired to work in Spain, you'd be on a standard work visa.

Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa has long been a popular option for those that make passive income and want to live in Spain. In reality, this is often used as a retirement visa because your pension can count as passive income.

Spain also has a digital nomad visa for remote workers. You'll need to be able to prove university education and a stable income. This number changes based on the minimum wage so be sure to check with the actual source if you're interested in applying to get the current income required.

4. Toulouse, France

Toulouse and the surrounding area of southern France is an absolute gem. Most people think of the South of France as only Nice and the surrounding beach towns but if you head closer to the Spanish borders, a lot of great options await.

While Narbonne is a cool choice for those that prefer to be closer to the sea, Toulouse is a bigger city with more job opportunities or the chance to study at a renowned university.

A big hurdle you will have to deal with when trying to move to Toulouse is the housing market, especially if you work remotely. It’s a popular student city, and the rental laws in France are highly weighted towards the tenant. Therefore, landlords are extremely careful when choosing a candidate. You'll want to be persistent and have all documents in order before you move to make the transition go as smoothly as possible.

Toulouse offers a fantastic location where you can enjoy both the Mediterranean Sea and the Pyrenees mountains on weekends away. Just know to truly immerse yourself and get all the benefits of the rich cultural life Toulouse offers, you will want to know at least basic French.

Learn more about living in Toulouse to see if it's the city for you.

Want more France options? Consider instead:

• Paris
• Annecy

Visa Options to Live in France

France is known as a great place to work as an au pair. If you're under the age of 30 and interested in working as an au pair, it's one of the easiest ways to get your foot in the door and start living in France.

Another popular option is on a student visa to learn French. This will not only get your foot in the door but will also give you the necessary language tools to then apply for jobs and transition to a work visa.

Other options would be to get a work visa at an international organization, a student visa, or to teach English. Just be sure to tripe check the visa requirements before you start planning your move! If you are applying for a ‘Carte de Sejour’ to stay in France expect the process to be laborious and long (upwards of nine months if it is your first time applying). You will be able to work and travel on the temporary one (récépissé) while you wait for the official card.

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‍5. Porto, Portugal

In general, Portugal is a really great country to consider moving abroad to. Not only does it have some of the best visa options to get your foot in the door, it also has one of the quickest pathways to citizenship.

Although many expats choose Lisbon or one of the numerous beach towns in the south, Porto is a great option for people looking for city amenities with a more laid-back environment.

Porto is particularly famous for their ceramics so you'll be rewarded with stunning buildings all clad in different colored tiles. Although not directly on the ocean, it's right near it and offers easy access to explore the more wild northern part of the country.

A great thing about living in Porto is that it's popular. That means a big expat community, plenty of English speakers around, and a lot of events and ways to make friends. On the other hand though, that does mean more tourists and a harder gap to bridge when trying to integrate and make local friends.

Know that just like in Italy, the job market isn't great in Portugal. While there are some opportunities for foreigners to find a job that'll sponsor your visa, the best bet to comfortably move to Portugal is with a remote job or plenty of savings.

Learn more about living in Porto to see if it's the city for you.

Want more Portugal options? Consider instead:

• Faro
• Caldas da Rainha
• Setúbal
• Cascais

Visa Options to Live in Portugal

One of the easiest ways to move to Portugal is to get either the D7 visa, D8 visa, or the Golden Visa. The D7 visa is more of a retirement visa or for those that make regular passive income. The D8 visa is Portugal's freelance visa. This is meant specifically for remote workers who earn their income online.

While the exact income needed to prove changes annually, the D7 requires a much lower income than the D8.

It's also possible to move to Portugal on a retirement visa, otherwise known as the Golden Visa. Another two options would be a Student Visa or Work Visa.

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6. Gdańsk, Poland

If you don't mind the cold, you might just love living in Poland. In my opinion, Poland has done a fantastic job mixing old with the new. Although they had to rebuild the old town in Gdańsk after WWII, they did it to scale, making it just as it was before.

Alongside this charming historic center though, you'll find modern amenities to match current tech (and sometimes far ahead other places in Europe). The public transportation system is great and there's a lot of green spaces and public beaches to enjoy.

Of course, living so far north isn't for everyone. The wind from the Baltic Sea can get brutal and your winters will be long. If you don't mind the cold though, there are a lot of pros to help you through. The quality of life is said to be high here and it's usually regarded as a very family-friendly city.

A big issue people say about living in Gdańsk is not just the cold but also how far away the city is from the rest of the country. While it has an international airport, it takes about 3-4 hours to get to Warsaw.

While it's certainly possible to find a job in Gdańsk, know that you'll likely find more opportunities in the capital city instead.

Visa Options to Live in Poland

As part of the Schengen Area, unless you're an EU citizen or resident, you'll need a long-stay visa to spend more than 90 days in Poland. This visa is called the Type D and is the same for anyone looking to study, work, or reunification with family in Poland.

According to Joseph from KrakowBuzz, once you arrive into the country with your Type D visa, you'll need to jump over some hurdles to turn it into a residence permit.

The most common way to secure this visa is by getting a job. Unless you speak Polish, the most likely way to apply for job opportunities and any of the many international companies in the country. It's also possible to get a job teaching English or at international schools in Poland.

Currently Poland does not offer a visa for digital nomads, although it's a great place to spend a week or longer if you work online.

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‍7. Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina

Sarajevo is the capital of Bosnia & Herzegovina, a country that's often overlooked for more well-known European destinations. But, if you're someone that prefers to get off the beaten path, you'll likely love living here.

Although in the heart of the Balkans, Sarajevo feels uniquely its own. The grim recent history coupled with a plethora of religions and a stunning natural landscape make it unlike anywhere I've ever been before.

My husband and I spent 6 months living in Sarajevo and during that time we made friends quicker than usual. The combination of small-town feel and friendly locals made it easy to settle in and fully enjoy our time spent here. A lot of what I know about true day-to-day life as an expat comes from Kathi, a German I befriended who has called the city home for 4 years and counting.

Sarajevo is a great city for nature lovers. While most options on this list are a short drive from outdoor adventures, Sarajevo is in it. Right from the city center you can hike up Trebevic or any of the surrounding hills without the need of a car. And just a short drive away are 2 ski resorts for winter adventures.

Compared to a lot of European capital cities, Sarajevo is one of the more affordable.

Visa Options to Move to BiH

Bosnia & Herzegovina doesn't offer too many unique visa options but they do offer a flexible attitude towards them and the ability for you to find a way to stay if you want to.

Many expats living in Sarajevo work for international companies. This is one of the most straightforward ways to move here as your work visa will be taken care of.

Most nationalities are rewarded 90 days visa-free in the country. From my personal experience, you can leave the country and come back in to reset your days without having to wait the 90 days the EU asks for. Just know that this is more of an under the table recommendation.

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How to Decide Where to Move Abroad

Moving to Europe can feel like an intimidating step, especially if this will be your first time moving abroad. One of the biggest steps to moving abroad, and also the most necessary to actually go, is choosing where in the world you'll call your home.

It can feel like a huge decision and one that if you mess up, you can't take back. Here's the thing though: nothing you do when it comes to moving from one country to another has to be permanent. You're allowed to go back home or start over in a new country if it doesn't work out or just because you want to.

Once you feel more confident and ready to make your decision about where you want to live in Europe, think about these things to help narrow down your options:

• How long do you want to stay in country X?
• Where can you get a long-term visa or residency permit?
• How important is it that locals speak English?
• What type of weather do you really want to avoid? And likewise, what type of weather would you really love?
• What lifestyle are you most eager to have? Laid back, cosmopolitan, access to nature, interesting culture, etc.
• How far away from your home city/town do you want to be?
• What cost of living can you comfortably afford?

By answering these questions, you'll be better able to choose which of these best European cities and towns suits your needs and wants the most.

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Which of These Best Places to Live in Europe Will You Choose?

With so many great countries to live in, all with cities offering a distinct lifestyle, cost of living, and visa rights, which of these European cities will you call home next?

If you're looking for a place that could become your permanent home base in Europe, I'd let visas or residency permits guide you. This means you likely won't face heartbreak once you've settled into one of Europe's best cities to live in and realize only later that you legally can't stay.

If instead, you're a serial expat like I am, meaning you stay put for only a year or so before moving to the next country or city on your list, pick and choose which ones most appeal to you and take the easy route in, a visa that will give you just enough time to stay until you're ready for a new life elsewhere.

Whichever way you choose, don't forget how interconnected all of these European cities really are, so visiting all of these best places to live in Europe will be easy to accomplish once you're settled in this incredible continent.