Do you have dreams of moving to Europe but cannot decide which country would be best suited to you? It is understandable that with this many options, one can get lost, especially when lifestyle, career opportunities, cost of living, and visa options need to be balanced.
Hello, I am Lucas, an expat who has spent the last several years in 10 different countries around Europe. I have had to apply for a visa, find cheap accommodation, adapt to new cultures, and create a life out of nothing in every country.
In this blog, I shall be going through the top 10 countries of Europe to live as an expat and which, to me, qualify as the best.
1. Spain
One of the places where I found it easy to settle in was Spain. Life is bright, friendly, and fairly cheap, be it in Madrid, Barcelona, or a seaside city such as Valencia.
Cost of Living in Spain
- Rent: 600-900 euros/month one-bedroom in city centers
- Groceries: €200 300 / month
- Transportation: 40-60Euros monthly Transport
- Healthcare: Free public healthcare after you register/private insurance ~50-70euros/mth
Affordable lifestyle
Living is affordable whether you are in Madrid or a coastal town.
Warm climate
Nearly all year-round sunshine, ideal in case you prefer good weather.
Easy visa options
Spain has non-lucrative and digital nomad visas, and they are available to most of you.
2. Portugal
Portugal is a country in Europe that I consider to be one of the most peaceful places with affordable costs. It has turned out to be a haven for digital nomads and a retirement haven.
Cost of Living in Portugal
- Rent: 500–800 euros/month outside of Lisbon; 900+ in Lisbon
- Groceries: € 200-€ 250/ month
- Transportation: €40/ Month for a metro pass
- Public healthcare system, private insurance for ~€40–€60/month
Expat-friendly
International communities are saturating in Lisbon and Porto.
Golden Visa and D7 Visa
With passive income or remote work, it is a simple question of applying.
My Advice for You
You want the peaceful, coastal living lifestyle, with modern infrastructure. Portugal is the way to go. Be ready to face bureaucracy, but when you are in, you fall in love with the lifestyle.
3. Germany
Germany also provided me with a very healthy balance between work and life. It is ideal when you need career development, education, or to have a family.
Cost of Living in Germany
- Rent: 700-1200 euros/month in large cities such as Berlin or Munich
- Groceries: 250-350euros/month
- Transportation: unlimited travel with a Germany ticket on all public transport in Germany (49 Euro)
- Health care: Mandatory Social insurance ~ 250/month (many companies cover cost)
Strong economy
Professionals and entrepreneurs will find great use.
Public transport and healthcare
Consistent and quality.
Job Seeker Visa
Enables more movement of skilled people.
Germany is not cheap, yet wages are good, and the value of money spent elsewhere, particularly in the delivery of public services, is great.
Read Also: Finland Citizenship in 2025: Step-by-Step to Approval
4. Netherlands
It was a sort of freedom and openness in the Netherlands that can hardly be described. The Netherlands is contemporary, online, and global. I also did not have any trouble settling down, particularly in the cities of Amsterdam and Utrecht, where English is commonly spoken.
Cost of Living in the Netherlands
- Rent: 1000-1500 euros/ month in big cities
- Grocery: 250-300Euro/mth
- Transportation: 100euros/month train + local transport
- Healthcare: Mandatory insurances ~120- 140/month
Great for English speakers
Virtually everybody is fluent in English.
Start-up and tech opportunities
Booming sectors.
Highly skilled migrant visa
It is a highly accessible one for a professional like you.
The Netherlands has a good infrastructure and a good salary, albeit with higher prices.
5. Sweden
It was an eye-opener to live in Sweden. The society also respects equality, cleanliness, and innovation. It was one of the most peaceful lives in Sweden that I have ever experienced.
Cost of Living in Sweden
- Rent: between 800 and 1,300 Euros/month, considering the city
- Groceries: 250-350euro/ month
- Transport: 80-100 euros/month
- Healthcare: Free healthcare at the state level
Excellent public services
Healthcare, education, and transport are of the first-rate.
Family-friendly
Perfect for families & couples.
Residence permits for work and studies
Easily accessible.
Winter takes a long time, and the days can be dark, but when you are the kind of person who values personal space and stability, then Sweden could be your dream country.
6. Czech Republic
I also did not expect to like the Czech Republic that much. Although I was disappointed in Prague, this particular country struck me because of its beauty and affordability.
Cost of Living in the Czech Republic
- Rent: 500- 800 euros/month one-bed in Prague
- Groceries: 150euros-250 euros/mo
- Transport: 15-30 euros/month
- Medical care: Approximately 60 euros a month on account of personal health insurance
Strategic location
Anywhere in Europe is easy to get around.
Freelance and trade license visas
Ideal for self-employed expats.
It is also quite a cheap and beautiful country to live in. It is ideal to stay in, especially for those who are freelance and students.
7. Austria
Austria, especially Vienna, is home away from home. It’s clean, tidy, and very cultured. Great for all kinds of people, professionals & families.
Great healthcare system
Ranked among the best.
High standard of living
Especially in Vienna.
Red-White-Red Card
Lovely, skilled visa.
Cost of Living in Austria
- Rent: 800 -1100 euros/month in Vienna
- Food: 250-350 euros a month
- Transportation costs: 30-50euro/month
- Medical: Public: if you have a job, it is covered; private: ~70-100/month
It is somewhat formal in some places, but when you adjust, you will get to enjoy a comfortable, orderly life as an expat. One of the greatest cities that I have lived in is Vienna.
8. France
France will be as romantic and elegant as the films, but it has a lot of opportunities with you as an expatriate.
Multiple visa options
Student to tech visas.
Global cities
Paris, Lyon, and Bordeaux are expat capitals.
Excellent food and lifestyle
Hard not to fall in love.
Cost of Living in France
- Rent: 900 Euro to 1400 Euro per month in Paris; cheaper in the provinces
- Groceries: 250-350 euros/month
- Transport: 75/month Paris
- Healthcare: State healthcare ~20-40/ month (reimbursement)
France is very expensive, and once you are settled there, you will live life as never before.
9. Switzerland
Switzerland was the most scenic and organized country I have personally lived in. Salaries there are very high, and the natural beauty is unreal.
High-paying jobs
Particularly in such areas as finance, healthcare, and tech.
Nature paradise
Lakes, mountains, and trails all over the place.
Cost of Living in Switzerland
- Rent: €1,500–€2,500/month for a 1-bedroom in Zurich or Geneva
- Groceries: 350 500 euros/month
- Transportation: 80-100euro/month
- Healthcare: Private insurance ~300-400/month
Switzerland does not come cheaply; however, you get what you pay for. In case you are strict about precision, order, and a peaceful way of life, it is perfect.
10. Estonia
The country of Estonia was a massive surprise to me. It is one of the most digitalized nations and does not mind remote workers. It is an ideal place for digital nomads and entrepreneurs.
E-residency and digital nomad visa
Game changers for freelancers.
Affordable and modern
Fast internet, clean cities.
English-friendly
Granted, especially in business and tech sectors.
Cost of Living in Estonia
- Rent Tallinn: 400-700 euro/month
- Groceries: ~150- 250/month
- Transportation: It is free to move across Tallinn with public transport!
- Healthcare: Free and cheap public system; 30-50, private insurance ~30-50, /month
If you are after a budget, peaceful on steroids kinda life, then Estonia is the hidden gem.
FAQs
1. Which are the most excellent European countries of residence for an English speaker?
Ireland, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Malta, English is widespread, and expats are just at home.
2. Which European state is the best country to work and live in?
Strong jobs, healthcare, and expat support are the lead provided by Germany. Portugal, the Netherlands are also good.
3. How in Europe can I earn a high salary and pay low living costs?
Try Hungary, Poland, or Portugal—rising wages meet affordable living.
4. In which parts of Europe can I afford to live, speaking English?
Malta, Cyprus, and parts of Portugal, low costs and no language struggles.
5. How about the Cheapest European country to live?
Bulgaria-low rent, food, utilities, reasonable lifestyle.
Read Also: France Schengen Visa 2025: Full Checklist + Pro Tips
Final Thought
It is not merely selecting where to go as an expatriate, but it is about finding the location with the sort of lifestyle, cost, and opportunities that you envisage in your dreams. Having lived in 10 wonderful European nations now, I can safely suggest that the right place exists and you can easily find it, wherever your career dreams, quiet life, or adventure on a budget lead the way.
All the mentioned countries that I have told you about are beautiful in their own way, with problems and rewards. The point is to simply get that first start of it all, or research, plan, and prepare a life that is richer, freer, and full of possibilities.
