Moving abroad is becoming increasingly popular among people seeking a better quality of life and new opportunities. Find out which cities topped the list of the most comfortable for expats in 2026 and why they became the leaders

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More and more people around the world are thinking about moving abroad – some are looking for better career opportunities, some are looking for a higher quality of life, a safer environment or a comfortable place to retire. In 2026, the question of choosing a country and city for relocation remains one of the most relevant for future expats.

The international consulting company Global Citizen Solutions has published the first ranking of the most comfortable cities in the world for expats. The study covered 35 cities on six continents and analyzed the key factors that affect the quality of life of foreigners after moving.

Earlier, we talked about the countries in Europe where it is easiest to get a work visa and start a career abroad.

Are you planning to move to another country? Preparing documents is often the most difficult stage of the immigration process. Each country has its own requirements for obtaining a residence permit, permanent residency or citizenship.

The “Immigration Guide” from Visit World contains up-to-date information on the necessary documents, procedures and features of obtaining status in different countries of the world. Choose your destination and start preparing for your move today.

What was taken into account when compiling the rating?

Unlike traditional ratings of comfort of life, researchers focused specifically on the needs of people planning an international relocation.

Seven main criteria were used for the assessment:

- cost of living;

- level of safety;

- air quality;

- accessibility and quality of medicine;

- ease of adaptation for newcomers;

- level of English proficiency among the population;

- mobility and international opportunities provided by the country of residence.

Each city received an overall score from 0 to 100 based on open international statistical data.

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Lisbon is the best city for expats in 2026

The first place in the ranking was taken by the capital of Portugal - Lisbon, scoring 88.49 points.

The city's success is explained by balanced indicators in all categories. Lisbon did not become an absolute leader in any single criterion, but it demonstrated consistently high results in each of them.

Among the main advantages of the city:

- relatively affordable cost of living for a Western European capital;

- high level of safety;

- high-quality healthcare system;

- mild Mediterranean climate;

- low level of air pollution;

- large international expat community.

Portugal continues to be one of the most popular destinations for digital nomads, remote workers and investors, although in 2025-2026 the country gradually revised individual immigration programs and conditions for obtaining residency.

You can learn more about the cheapest countries for expats to live in 2026 by following this link.

Amsterdam attracts with its safety and high-quality medicine

Amsterdam took second place in the ranking with a score of 81.97 points.

The capital of the Netherlands traditionally demonstrates high indicators of safety, development of urban infrastructure and medical services. The city also remains one of the European centers of international business and technology companies.

Separately, experts note the environmental friendliness of the urban environment. Cycling culture, developed public transport and numerous green areas have a positive impact on the quality of life of residents.

However, potential migrants should take into account one of the main disadvantages of Amsterdam - high rental prices and limited real estate supply.

In the previous article, we talked about the richest cities and regions of Europe in 2026.

Melbourne is the best choice outside Europe

Third place went to Melbourne, Australia, which became the best city outside Europe.

The Australian city traditionally enters the world's quality of life rankings thanks to a combination of:

- modern infrastructure;

- a stable economy;

- high-quality education;

- a developed health care system;

- a large number of parks and recreational areas.

For many foreigners, Melbourne is an attractive alternative to European metropolises, although distance from Europe and the cost of living remain important factors to consider.

We previously talked about the happiest cities in the world in 2026.

Vienna continues to maintain its reputation as one of the most comfortable cities in the world

The Austrian capital took fourth place thanks to exceptionally strong indicators in the field of health care and urban infrastructure.

Vienna has regularly topped global quality of life rankings for many years. The city offers residents:

- efficient public transport;

- a high level of public safety;

- access to quality medicine;

- developed cultural infrastructure;

- a large number of green areas.

For foreigners, Austria also remains one of the most attractive countries in Central Europe for employment and long-term residence.

Barcelona and Singapore among the most popular destinations for relocation

Spanish Barcelona took fifth place in the ranking.

The city attracts expats with a warm climate, access to the sea, an active cultural life and the opportunity to combine work with a Mediterranean lifestyle.

Singapore is right behind it - one of the leading financial centers in the world. Here, expats highly appreciate safety, quality of government services and the level of economic development.

At the same time, life in Singapore remains one of the most expensive in the world.

Top 10 Best Cities for Expats in 2026

According to the results of the Global Citizen Solutions study, the top ten best cities in the world to move to in 2026 are:

- Lisbon (Portugal) – 88.49 points;

- Amsterdam (Netherlands) – 81.97 points;

- Melbourne (Australia) – 81.79 points;

- Vienna (Austria) – 81.07 points;

- Barcelona (Spain) – 80.70 points;

- Singapore – 80.58 points;

- Auckland (New Zealand) – 80.15 points;

- Tokyo (Japan) – 79.78 points;

- Copenhagen (Denmark) – 79.57 points;

- Seoul (South Korea) – 78.89 points.

European cities continue to dominate global expat quality of life rankings, but cities in Asia and Oceania are increasingly competing for the attention of international professionals, entrepreneurs, and digital nomads. Singapore, Tokyo, and Seoul are particularly notable for their success, offering modern infrastructure, high levels of security, and broad career opportunities.

Why is the ranking important for those planning to emigrate?

The choice of a country to move to is increasingly based on salary alone. In 2026, people will evaluate a range of factors: safety, housing affordability, healthcare, the environment, the quality of education for children, and the ability to integrate into local society.

That is why such international rankings help potential migrants assess not only economic prospects, but also the real comfort of life after moving.

Lisbon, Amsterdam, Vienna, or Melbourne may seem like ideal cities for a new life, but successful relocation begins not with buying a ticket, but with the correct paperwork. To obtain a temporary or permanent residence permit, you need to take into account dozens of nuances: requirements for proof of income, health insurance, housing, deadlines for submitting documents and the peculiarities of local legislation. Mistakes at this stage can lead to delays or even refusals in considering the case.

That is why the Visit World team has prepared an “Immigration Guide”, which will help you understand the procedures for obtaining residency and citizenship in different countries of the world. It contains practical recommendations, a list of documents and step-by-step instructions for future migrants.

Learn more and prepare for moving confidently with Visit World.

Reminder! New economic indicators show which countries were able to increase GDP, and which lost positions due to inflation and slowing growth. Ranking of the richest countries in the world 2026 - at the link.

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Products from Visit World for a comfortable trip:

Travel guide for 200 countries;

Legal advice from a local specialist on visa and migration issues;

Travel insurance around the world (please select the country of interest and citizenship to receive services);

Medical insurance all over the world.

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