Portugal and Spain Ranked as Best Two EU Countries for Expatriates
The report, which features 11,970 expats representing 177 nationalities living in 181 countries, also ranks the countries based on the quality of life for foreign-born nationals. The ranking includes the ease of settling in, working abroad and personal finances in their host country, as well as the digital life, admin topics, housing and language, AtoZSerwisPlus.pt reports.
For interviewed migrants, Portugal is ranked best globally for its sunshine and social life. Nine out of ten expats said they enjoy the weather in Portugal, while 89 per cent said they were happy with the air quality. Expats also appreciate the fact that they can play sports, with 93 per cent of respondents saying it’s easy and safe to travel by bike or get around on foot.
However, expats weren’t happy with the local job market and career opportunities, which made the country drop to 35th place in the Working Abroad index.
Per Spain, the country comes fifth in the overall rankings, with expats choosing it as a top destination for the quality of life. More specifically, respondents say they love the food and dining options, opportunities for an active and sporty life, as well as the culture and nightlife.
Climate and weather are also among the main reasons listed by expats when asked why they enjoy living in Spain, as well as the affordability of the healthcare system, as almost four out of five rated it positively. However, just like Portugal, expats ranked Spain low for job opportunities, personal career development and lack of fair pay.
France, on the other hand, received a poor ranking for this year’s survey, being listed as 31st out of 52 destinations. Expats say they enjoy the healthcare system, aids and public transportation, but the language seems to be a problem. Three in five expats say it is difficult to live in France if you can’t speak the language.
“All administrative stuff is very complicated. The system is outdated and slow,” a Lithuanian expat said regarding administration in France, which is ranked in the bottom ten for this subcategory.
As euronews.travel explains, Italy is criticised for its local bureaucracy as well as for its work opportunities, where 29 per cent of expats say they aren’t paid fairly for their work.
While Luxembourg ranks low for its social life and high cost of living, Malta is listed below for its infrastructure and urban environment.
