Global Expat City Rankings for 2026 Revealed
Global Citizen Solutions has released its first-ever comprehensive guide ranking the best cities worldwide for expatriates, comparing 35 cities across six continents. The study evaluates destinations based on seven criteria: cost of living, safety, air quality, healthcare, ease of adaptation, English proficiency, and extended mobility. All data was drawn from publicly available sources, with scores ranging from 0 to 100. This ranking provides a valuable benchmark for professionals and companies considering international relocation.
Top 10 Cities for Expats
Lisbon, Portugal, takes the top spot with an impressive score of 88.49 points. The city stands out as one of the most affordable capitals in the ranking, boasts excellent air quality, and offers a higher safety level compared to cities like Paris, Rome, and Barcelona. Conde Nast Traveller highlights that Lisbon is among the cheapest capital cities in the index, one of the cleanest in terms of air pollution, and a place with a superior safety record.
Amsterdam, Netherlands, secures second place with 81.97 points, thanks to its strong safety record, high-quality healthcare system, and clean air. Melbourne, Australia, ranks third with 81.79 points, making it the top-performing city outside Europe. Vienna, Austria, comes in fourth with 81.07 points, distinguished by its outstanding healthcare services.
- 5. Barcelona (Spain) – 80.7 points
- 6. Singapore – 80.58 points
- 7. Auckland (New Zealand) – 80.15 points
- 8. Tokyo (Japan) – 79.78 points
- 9. Copenhagen (Denmark) – 79.57 points
- 10. Seoul (South Korea) – 78.89 points
These results highlight the diverse opportunities available to expats across the globe. Liana Simonyan noted that affordability, social integration, and infrastructure quality rarely converge in a single city. The index makes these competing priorities clear and measurable, providing essential guidance for consultants and individuals making critical relocation decisions.
The Global Citizen Solutions ranking underscores the growing importance of factors like cost of living and safety for expats planning a move. It also serves as a practical tool for companies involved in international labor mobility, helping them better understand living conditions in various cities. Such insights can influence decisions on where to open new offices or branches, potentially driving economic growth in selected regions.