Best European Countries to Move to in 2026

Europe offers incredible diversity for expats — from Portugal's golden visa and sunny Atlantic coast to Georgia's 0% foreign income tax and Serbia's near-zero bureaucracy. The key is matching your priorities (budget, lifestyle, visa ease) to the right country. Below we've ranked European destinations by a combination of livability, affordability, and ease of relocation.

Take the full quiz →26 countries matched
1

Georgia

93%

Tbilisi · Georgian

Cost/mo
$580
Rent/mo
$450
Safety
5/10
English: Medium50 MbpsLow taxPR available
Visa-free 365 days (most countries)Permanent Residence
  • Visa-free 1 year for most passports
  • Extremely low taxes (1% for freelancers)
View full guide →
2

Romania

92%

Bucharest · Romanian

Cost/mo
$590
Rent/mo
$560
Safety
8/10
English: Medium115 MbpsPR available
Schengen 90-dayTemporary Residence
  • EU member
  • Very affordable
View full guide →
3

Armenia

92%

Yerevan · Armenian / Russian

Cost/mo
$560
Rent/mo
$480
Safety
5/10
English: Medium100 MbpsLow taxPR available
Visa-free 180 days for most nationalitiesResidence permit (after 180 days)
  • Very low cost of living
  • No income tax for IT workers (until 2025)
View full guide →
4

Russia

92%

Moscow · Russian

Cost/mo
$650
Rent/mo
$500
Safety
5/10
English: Low80 MbpsLow taxPR available
E-Visa (some countries)Temporary Residence Permit
  • Very low cost of living vs quality
  • Excellent metro cities (Moscow, SPb)
View full guide →
5

Bulgaria

92%

Sofia · Bulgarian

Cost/mo
$560
Rent/mo
$520
Safety
8/10
English: Medium100 MbpsBeachLow taxPR available
Schengen 90-day (Schengen joining 2024)Long-term Residence Permit
  • Flat 10% income tax (lowest in EU)
  • EU member (Schengen from 2024)
View full guide →
6

Albania

91%

Tirana · Albanian

Cost/mo
$560
Rent/mo
$540
Safety
6/10
English: Medium35 MbpsBeachLow tax
Visa-free 1 year (many countries)Residence Permit
  • Extremely affordable
  • Visa-free 1 year for many
View full guide →
7

Hungary

90%

Budapest · Hungarian

Cost/mo
$690
Rent/mo
$750
Safety
8/10
English: Medium100 MbpsLow taxPR available
Schengen 90-dayResidence Permit
  • Flat 15% income tax
  • Beautiful Budapest
View full guide →
8

Poland

90%

Warsaw · Polish

Cost/mo
$740
Rent/mo
$790
Safety
8/10
English: Medium120 MbpsPR available
Schengen 90-dayTemporary Residence
  • EU member
  • Fast-growing economy
View full guide →
9

Croatia

90%

Zagreb · Croatian

Cost/mo
$720
Rent/mo
$780
Safety
8/10
English: High100 MbpsBeachPR available
Digital Nomad Residence Permit (1 yr)Temporary Residence
  • Stunning Adriatic coastline
  • EU + Schengen member
View full guide →
10

Serbia

89%

Belgrade · Serbian

Cost/mo
$610
Rent/mo
$620
Safety
6/10
English: Medium100 MbpsLow taxPR available
Visa-free 90 days (most)Temporary Residence Permit
  • Very affordable
  • Excellent internet
View full guide →
11

Turkey

89%

Ankara (Istanbul is largest) · Turkish

Cost/mo
$665
Rent/mo
$580
Safety
4/10
English: Medium35 MbpsBeachLow taxPR available
E-Visa 30–90 daysShort-Term Residence Permit
  • Istanbul is a world-class city
  • Very affordable post-lira decline
View full guide →
12

Montenegro

89%

Podgorica · Montenegrin

Cost/mo
$700
Rent/mo
$560
Safety
7/10
English: Medium40 MbpsBeachLow taxPR available
Visa-free 90 days (most)Temporary Residence
  • Lowest flat tax in Europe (9%)
  • Stunning Bay of Kotor
View full guide →
13

Portugal

87%

Lisbon · Portuguese

Cost/mo
$870
Rent/mo
$1.1k
Safety
9/10
English: High160 MbpsBeachLow taxPR available
D7 Passive Income VisaDigital Nomad Visa (D8)
  • EU access
  • English widely spoken
View full guide →
14

Spain

87%

Madrid · Spanish

Cost/mo
$830
Rent/mo
$1.1k
Safety
8/10
English: Medium200 MbpsBeachPR available
Digital Nomad VisaNon-Lucrative Visa
  • Excellent lifestyle
  • Great food and culture
View full guide →
15

Estonia

87%

Tallinn · Estonian

Cost/mo
$870
Rent/mo
$860
Safety
8/10
English: High130 MbpsPR available
Digital Nomad Visa (D-Visa 1 yr)EU Long-term Residence
  • World's most digital country
  • Official Digital Nomad Visa
View full guide →
16

Italy

87%

Rome · Italian

Cost/mo
$950
Rent/mo
$1.0k
Safety
8/10
English: Medium85 MbpsBeachLow taxPR available
EU Freedom of MovementElective Residency Visa
  • World-class food and wine
  • Stunning art and history
View full guide →
17

Czech Republic

86%

Prague · Czech

Cost/mo
$800
Rent/mo
$920
Safety
8/10
English: Medium120 MbpsPR available
Schengen 90-dayLong-term Residence
  • Prague — one of Europe's most beautiful cities
  • EU + Schengen
View full guide →
18

Greece

86%

Athens · Greek

Cost/mo
$850
Rent/mo
$780
Safety
8/10
English: High80 MbpsBeachLow taxPR available
Digital Nomad Visa (1 yr, extendable)EU citizen (free movement)
  • Digital Nomad Visa with 50% income tax reduction
  • Mediterranean climate 300 days of sun
View full guide →
19

Cyprus

86%

Nicosia · Greek / English

Cost/mo
$910
Rent/mo
$950
Safety
8/10
English: High100 MbpsBeachLow taxPR available
EU citizen (free movement)Digital Nomad Visa
  • 12.5% corporate tax — lowest in EU
  • 340 sunny days per year
View full guide →
20

Austria

78%

Vienna · German

Cost/mo
$960
Rent/mo
$1.1k
Safety
9/10
English: High100 MbpsPR available
Schengen 90-dayRed-White-Red Card (skilled workers)
  • World's most livable city (Vienna, consistently #1)
  • EU + Schengen
View full guide →
21

France

77%

Paris · French

Cost/mo
$1.1k
Rent/mo
$1.1k
Safety
8/10
English: Medium100 MbpsBeachPR available
EU Freedom of MovementTalent Passport
  • World-renowned culture and cuisine
  • Excellent healthcare (top-ranked)
View full guide →
22

Germany

71%

Berlin · German

Cost/mo
$1.1k
Rent/mo
$1.2k
Safety
8/10
English: High90 MbpsPR available
EU Freedom of MovementJob Seeker Visa
  • Strongest EU economy
  • Excellent healthcare and education
View full guide →
23

Switzerland

67%

Bern · German / French / Italian

Cost/mo
$1.8k
Rent/mo
$2.1k
Safety
9/10
English: High200 MbpsLow taxPR available
Schengen-area 90-dayL Permit (short-term work)
  • Top 3 highest quality of life globally
  • Low effective tax rates (lump-sum option)
View full guide →
24

United Kingdom

66%

London · English

Cost/mo
$1.1k
Rent/mo
$1.6k
Safety
8/10
English: High105 MbpsPR available
Skilled Worker VisaGlobal Talent Visa
  • Global financial hub (London)
  • English-speaking
View full guide →
25

Ireland

66%

Dublin · English / Irish

Cost/mo
$1.2k
Rent/mo
$2.1k
Safety
9/10
English: High110 MbpsLow taxPR available
EU Freedom of MovementCritical Skills Employment Permit
  • 12.5% corporate tax (lowest in EU)
  • English-speaking EU country
View full guide →
26

Netherlands

66%

Amsterdam · Dutch (English widely spoken)

Cost/mo
$1.2k
Rent/mo
$1.5k
Safety
8/10
English: High125 MbpsBeachLow taxPR available
EU Freedom of MovementHighly Skilled Migrant Permit
  • English spoken everywhere
  • 30% ruling — huge tax break for expats
View full guide →

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