Lisbon Tops 2026 Global Ranking as the Best City for Expats

Top Cities for Expats in 2026: A Global Ranking

According to УНІАН — Туризм: Global Citizen Solutions has released its 2026 ranking of the world’s best cities for expatriates. Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, claimed the top spot with a score of 88.49. The ranking evaluates seven quality-of-life indicators, including cost of living, safety, and air quality. The study covered 35 cities across six continents, drawing data from publicly available databases. This annual index is designed to help professionals and families weigh relocation options by comparing key lifestyle factors.

Best Cities for Expats: The Full List

In the list of top expat destinations, Lisbon leads, followed by:

• Amsterdam, Netherlands – 81.97 points
• Melbourne, Australia – 81.79 points
• Vienna, Austria – 81.07 points
• Barcelona, Spain – 80.7 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

Lisbon is also noted as one of the most affordable capital cities in the ranking, with a safety score surpassing those of Paris, Rome, and Barcelona. Amsterdam is recognized for its high safety levels, excellent healthcare system, and clean air. Melbourne, meanwhile, achieves the best scores among non-European cities, while Vienna stands out for its strong healthcare indicators.

“Affordability, social integration, and infrastructure quality rarely come together in a single city. The index makes these competing priorities clear and measurable-exactly what consultants and people making major relocation decisions need.” – Liana Simonyan

This ranking can be a valuable resource for anyone planning to move abroad in the near future. The 2026 expat city ranking highlights shifts in global migration trends, particularly the growing appeal of European cities due to their combination of high living standards and affordability. As the top-ranked city, Lisbon emerges as an attractive option for those seeking new opportunities overseas, especially given its lower cost of living compared to other European capitals.