As more people look beyond their home countries for work, education, retirement and new opportunities, a new report has identified the cities that offer the best conditions for expatriates.
Global Citizen Solutions, a residency and citizenship planning advisory firm, has released its inaugural ranking of the World’s Most Livable Cities for Expats. The study assessed 35 cities across six continents to determine which destinations provide the strongest combination of living standards and relocation opportunities.
Unlike many city rankings that focus mainly on infrastructure or quality of life, this report also considers passport mobility rights as a key factor. The approach reflects the growing importance of global access and flexibility for people choosing where to live.
“Affordability, social integration, and structural quality rarely co-occur within the same city,” says Liana Simonyan, researcher for Global Citizen Solutions’ Global Intelligence Unit. “The index renders these competing priorities explicit and measurable—which is precisely what advisors and individuals need when making high-stakes relocation decisions.”
To produce the ranking, researchers evaluated cities using seven indicators: cost of living, safety, air quality, healthcare, ease of settling in, English proficiency and enhanced mobility. Data from publicly available sources were combined to generate scores on a scale of 0 to 100.
Here are the 10 cities that ranked highest in the study.
1. Lisbon, Portugal – 88.49
Lisbon emerged as the world’s most livable city for expatriates, achieving a score of 88.49 and finishing well ahead of the other cities in the ranking.
Portugal’s capital has attracted growing international interest in recent years from professionals, retirees and digital workers. The city performed strongly across the indicators used in the study, particularly in areas linked to integration, mobility and overall living conditions.
Its first-place finish highlights Portugal’s growing role as a destination for people seeking opportunities outside their home countries.
2. Amsterdam, Netherlands – 81.97
Amsterdam claimed second place with a score of 81.97. The Dutch capital has become a destination for international workers, entrepreneurs and remote professionals.
The city scored strongly across several indicators, including English proficiency and mobility, helping it secure a position near the top of the list.
3. Melbourne, Australia – 81.79
Melbourne ranked third, scoring 81.79 points. The city is one of Australia’s main centres for business, education and culture.
Its healthcare facilities, English-speaking environment and settlement opportunities contributed to its strong performance in the ranking.
4. Vienna, Austria – 81.07
Vienna took fourth place with a score of 81.07. Austria’s capital has frequently appeared in international quality-of-life rankings over the years.
The city’s healthcare services, transport system and public infrastructure helped it secure a place among the top-performing destinations for expatriates.
5. Barcelona, Spain – 80.70
Barcelona ranked fifth with a score of 80.70. The Spanish city continues to attract expatriates working in sectors such as technology, finance and tourism.
The report highlights its balance of urban infrastructure, healthcare access and integration opportunities for newcomers.
6. Singapore – 80.58
Singapore secured sixth place with a score of 80.58. The city-state has long been a destination for international professionals and multinational companies.
Its business environment, transport system and healthcare services have contributed to its appeal among expatriates relocating to Asia.
7. Auckland, New Zealand – 80.15
Auckland ranked seventh with a score of 80.15. The city remains one of New Zealand’s main economic hubs and a gateway for international migrants.
Its position reflects factors such as healthcare access, English proficiency and the ease with which newcomers can integrate into daily life.
8. Tokyo, Japan – 79.78
Tokyo placed eighth, earning 79.78 points. As Japan’s capital and largest city, it serves as a major centre for finance, technology and innovation.
Its transport infrastructure, healthcare services and economic opportunities continue to attract expatriates from different parts of the world.
9. Copenhagen, Denmark – 79.57
Copenhagen ranked ninth with a score of 79.57. Denmark’s capital is recognised for its public services, transport network and healthcare system.
The city has also become a destination for professionals seeking access to Northern Europe’s labour market and business environment.
10. Seoul, South Korea – 78.89
Seoul secured the tenth position with a score of 78.89. The South Korean capital is one of Asia’s largest economic and technology centres. It offers extensive public transport, healthcare services and digital infrastructure.
The city continues to attract professionals, entrepreneurs and international students seeking opportunities in one of the world’s largest economies.
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