Every year about 2.7 million foreigners move to Europe in order to live permanently in one of the countries of the European community.
The reasons are varied, such as better job opportunities, higher wages, higher living standards, lower education costs and government support in health issues.
However, Europe must not be seen as a single entity, because the quality of life changes from state to state. For this reason, we will present today a list of the best countries to move to, based on statistics shared worldwide.
Germany
Germany is one of the most popular destinations in Europe. This is mainly due to its high employment rate and very high average salary, as well as the fact that it is a nation full of comfort, modernity and comfort. Germany has one of the best European economies, and is also very accessible compared to other European nations. Berlin is a vibrant city, suitable for both younger and older people. A city rich in history and things to tell, a social hub that adapts to every culture without discrimination of any kind.
To live in Germany, you can make an employment VISA for workers, or if your partner has German citizenship you can acquire it through the latter. Or, for those interested in the arts, there is an artist VISA.
Portugal
Thanks to the quality of its landscapes and social life, Portugal is in the top 10 of the best countries to expatriate to. Portugal promotes a new, fresh and very active lifestyle. There are some problems related to bureaucracy or job opportunities, which are on average lower than those in Germany.
In Portugal there are many educational opportunities at very affordable prices, it is one of the nations that offers the most scholarships ever.
The cost of living is very low if we consider all the cities outside Lisbon, everything is enclosed above all by the incredible welcome towards foreigners. The rankings put Portugal at the top, with a very high percentage of cultural respect. In Portugal you can stay for three long months, and then decide whether to stay or not and apply for a VISA. Unlike other countries, Portugal offers many more varieties of VISA, you can find more info here.
Spain
Close to Portugal, Spain is another popular country for expatriates. It is especially loved for the quality of life, very low medical costs and for the variety present in the kitchen with options for all tastes.
Americans can quickly travel to Spain through the North American Language and Cultural Assistant program (only if they have a work permit that allows them to stay in Spain for life).
Social freedom in Spain is very much felt, like perhaps Portugal, and there is a very developed nightlife just like in Italy. Spain is also at the forefront of the climate, but unfortunately it is often criticized for the lack of a fair payment especially in the works of the catering industry. Also here you can make a Golden Visa.
The United Kingdom
The UK is definitely a recommended destination for Americans, as there is no language barrier. Moreover, even from a cultural and social point of view, Americans find on average less difficulty than all other Europeans. In the UK there are many job opportunities in any context and environment, there are also many subsidies for start-ups and freelancers: a real paradise.
But there are downsides. The biggest drawback is the fact that with Brexit, the UK is no longer part of the European Union and this makes it very difficult to get a permanent permit without tripping over bureaucracy. If you are an investor it is much easier to get a VISA, in fact one of the most used methods is to get transferred from your company.
The cost of living is not very high, but also not low: the pound is very expensive for an American, but it is a matter of habit.
Italy
Italy is a paradise for those who are already retired. The nation of the "dolce vita" is in fact recommended only to the over 60, because they are the population with more freedom, more rights and above all more comfort.
The Italian labour market is unfortunately very poor, with an ever increasing unemployment rate and wage injustice characterized by very low wages especially in the South that generate a strong emigration of young people who prefer to work in Europe.
The elderly, however, will find their paradise: health insurance and medical expenses are always free, the cost of living is very low especially in the south, and the air is the least polluted in the whole of Europe. Italy offers culture, innovation, tradition and great food, not surprisingly it is one of the favorite destinations for summer holidays.
Which countries should be avoided?
Luxembourg
Luxembourg has been the second richest nation in the world for many years. Today, more than 40% of the population is foreign and is a data that is the perfect synthesis of the quality of life which however is very difficult to handle for the poorest.
There are pros. There are many opportunities for technological and innovative companies, also here are concentrated the highest wages in Europe and is on the border with Germany and this makes the nation very dynamic and perfect to explore even more "strong" nations.
In Luxembourg, three languages are spoken, and the majority of the population speaks English perfectly, so communication is not an obstacle, as it might be in France or Spain.
But there are also a lot of cons. A defect of the nation is certainly the cost of living that compared to the European average is one of the highest, thus justifying in part the higher wages. It is also very difficult to be considered a permanent citizen because they have very restrictive laws in this regard.
Malta
Very low in the ranking especially for the employment level very low, Malta is in fact one of the nations that offers less from the point of view of infrastructure. The urban organisation of roads and maintenance in general is also one of the most criticized in Europe, and it is also more difficult to manage a bank account here, especially because of the high operating costs.
However, from a social and cultural point of view, Malta is the best European nation that is characterized by a strong inclusive value, an incredible open-mindedness and the possibility of being able to live without discrimination of any kind.
