Best Places to Live in Europe - International Property & Lifestyle Guide

For someone researching a move to Europe from outside the continent, the question of where to live is more important than simply finding a property. The right location needs to work as a place to live as well as a property market. Housing, healthcare, transport, employment, schools, climate, local services and community can all influence whether a European destination remains attractive after the initial excitement of buying a home.

There is no single best place to live in Europe. A professional relocating for employment may favour a major international city, while a family may prioritise schools and space. A retiree may place greater emphasis on healthcare and climate, while someone working remotely may value connectivity, lifestyle and housing costs. A second-home owner may have an entirely different set of priorities.

For international buyers, the most useful approach is therefore to compare different types of European locations rather than relying on a single ranking. The continent offers capital cities, regional centres, coastal towns, island communities, historic cities and smaller rural destinations, each providing a different balance of advantages and compromises.

This guide forms part of IPD's wider Europe property research, helping buyers move from broad geographical research towards the cities, towns and property markets that best match their circumstances.

What Makes a Place Good for International Living?

A location that looks attractive in a holiday brochure may not necessarily be the best place for permanent living. International buyers should look at the practical infrastructure supporting everyday life as well as the destination's lifestyle appeal.

Healthcare is an obvious consideration, particularly for older buyers and families. Transport links can determine how easily residents reach other European countries or return to their home country. Schools matter to families, while employment opportunities remain important for anyone moving for work.

Cost of living and housing costs also need to be considered together. A destination with relatively affordable property may have different tax, utility, transport or maintenance costs. Conversely, a more expensive city may offer greater employment opportunities and services.

For an overseas buyer, access to an international airport can be particularly valuable. Regular flights can make the difference between a location that feels connected to the buyer's existing life and one that becomes difficult to reach.

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Major European Cities for International Residents

Europe's largest cities remain natural choices for international residents because they combine economic activity, cultural attractions, transport infrastructure and established international communities.

London, Paris, Madrid, Berlin, Amsterdam, Vienna, Rome, Lisbon, Copenhagen and Stockholm are examples of cities where international residents can find extensive employment, education, healthcare, entertainment and transport networks.

The trade-off is often housing cost and density. Prime locations within major cities can command substantial prices, while commuting distances and competition for desirable housing can be significant.

For an overseas buyer, the city itself should therefore be broken down into neighbourhoods and surrounding municipalities. A property outside the central district may provide considerably more space while retaining access to employment and services.

Major cities can also provide deeper resale and rental markets than smaller destinations, although this should be assessed on a location-by-location basis rather than assumed.

Regional Cities Can Provide a Different Balance

Regional cities are increasingly relevant to people considering a move to Europe. They can provide many of the facilities associated with larger cities while offering a different pace of life and, in some markets, a different relationship between property prices and available space.

Valencia, Porto, Lyon, Bologna, Seville, Munich, Antwerp, Krakow and other regional centres demonstrate the range of choices available to international residents.

These cities can be particularly attractive to buyers who want urban infrastructure without living in one of Europe's largest capitals. Universities, hospitals, businesses, restaurants, cultural institutions and transport networks can provide a substantial year-round environment.

International buyers should nevertheless investigate local property prices carefully. A regional city that appears inexpensive compared with London or Paris may still contain highly competitive neighbourhoods, particularly where international demand is concentrated.

The European cities and towns guide provides a useful starting point for comparing these different urban environments.

Coastal Living in Europe

Coastal locations are among the most popular choices for international lifestyle buyers. The combination of climate, outdoor living, scenery and access to the sea can be a major attraction for people moving from outside Europe.

Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Greece, Croatia, Montenegro, Cyprus, Malta and Turkey all contain coastal destinations with established international communities.

However, coastal living varies considerably between locations. A large coastal city may provide hospitals, universities, employment and year-round services, while a resort town may become much quieter outside the main tourism season.

This difference matters for permanent residents. Someone planning to live in Europe throughout the year should establish what services remain available outside the holiday period and how easy it is to reach larger centres.

Buyers can explore the Europe coastal property guide when considering this category.

Climate and Quality of Life

Climate is often one of the first reasons overseas buyers become interested in Europe. Southern destinations can offer warmer winters and extensive outdoor lifestyles, while northern markets may appeal to buyers who prefer cooler conditions and highly developed infrastructure.

Climate preferences are personal, but international buyers should increasingly consider the full range of environmental conditions rather than simply average temperatures. Heat, wildfire, flooding and water availability can all affect the suitability of particular locations.

Buyers should investigate the precise property location rather than assuming that a national climate description applies equally across an entire country. Mountain, coastal, inland and urban environments can experience substantially different conditions.

The IPD European property climate guide and property risks guide provide additional areas for research.

European Locations for Families

Families relocating internationally usually have a wider list of requirements than individual buyers. Schools, healthcare, transport, outdoor space and community infrastructure can all become decisive.

A major international city can provide international schools and extensive services but may involve high housing costs. A regional city may provide more space and easier access to family-oriented neighbourhoods. Smaller towns can offer a quieter environment but may require greater reliance on cars or longer journeys for specialist services.

Families should therefore assess the location around a prospective property rather than judging the property in isolation. The distance to schools, healthcare, public transport, supermarkets, recreation and other daily facilities can substantially affect the practicality of a move.

The same principle applies to the property itself. Apartments may provide convenient urban living, while houses and villas can provide additional space and outdoor areas. Buyers can compare these options through IPD's European apartment and European villa research.

Places to Live for Professionals

Employment remains one of the strongest forces shaping residential choices. International professionals may prioritise cities with multinational companies, financial centres, technology sectors, universities or major transport connections.

London, Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, Madrid, Milan, Munich, Dublin and other established economic centres offer different combinations of employment and international connectivity.

Remote and hybrid working can broaden the geographical choice, but buyers should not assume that working remotely eliminates the importance of infrastructure. Reliable internet, transport, healthcare and access to services remain relevant even when the workplace is elsewhere.

Some buyers may therefore choose a smaller city or town within practical reach of a major employment centre. This can create a wider range of property options while maintaining access to urban infrastructure.

European Cities with Strong International Communities

For people moving overseas, an established international community can make the transition easier. Expatriate networks, international schools, foreign-language services and businesses accustomed to serving overseas residents can all reduce some of the practical difficulties associated with relocation.

Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Malta and Cyprus are particularly familiar destinations for international lifestyle buyers, while major northern European cities also contain substantial expatriate populations.

An international community should not, however, be the only consideration. Some buyers deliberately seek locations with greater integration into the local population and culture. The appropriate balance depends on personal preference.

Prospective residents should also remember that purchasing property and obtaining residency are separate matters. The Europe residency guide should be considered alongside property research where a move is intended.

Historic European Cities

Europe's historic cities can offer an unusually distinctive living environment. Architecture, public squares, cultural institutions, restaurants and historic neighbourhoods can form part of everyday life rather than simply a tourist experience.

Paris, Rome, Florence, Prague, Vienna, Lisbon and numerous smaller European cities demonstrate the range of historic environments available to international residents.

Historic property can also present additional considerations. Listed buildings, renovation restrictions, older infrastructure and building-maintenance requirements can affect ownership costs and the ability to alter a property.

Anyone considering an older property should therefore undertake appropriate legal and structural investigation before committing. IPD's property due diligence guide provides a useful framework for this research.

Smaller Towns and Rural Europe

Not everyone looking for the best place to live in Europe wants to be in a major city. Smaller towns can appeal to buyers looking for space, slower-paced living, lower-density environments or stronger connections with the surrounding countryside.

France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Austria and many central and eastern European countries contain extensive networks of smaller towns and rural communities.

Property prices may be lower than in major cities, but buyers should examine what they are giving up in return. Healthcare, schools, public transport, shopping and employment opportunities may be more limited.

For international residents, distance can also become more significant than it initially appears. A property that seems close to a city on a map may involve a lengthy journey because of roads, mountains or limited public transport.

Retirement and Long-Term Lifestyle Living

For buyers planning to retire in Europe, the definition of a good place to live changes again. Healthcare, accessibility, climate, cost of living and community can become more important than employment or business connectivity.

Southern European countries attract considerable interest from international retirees, but the choice should ultimately be made at town or city level.

A smaller coastal town may offer the lifestyle a retiree wants, while a regional city may provide easier access to hospitals and year-round services. Some buyers may prefer a countryside property within practical reach of an established town.

IPD's European retirement property guide explores this buyer objective in greater detail.

Cost of Living and Property Prices

Property affordability is an important part of deciding where to live, but purchase price alone does not describe the cost of living. International buyers should consider housing, taxes, utilities, insurance, transport, healthcare, food and maintenance.

There can also be substantial differences within individual countries. Prime coastal markets and capital cities may command significantly higher prices than inland or regional locations.

IPD's European property prices guide can be used as part of a wider comparison, while country hubs provide more geographically focused information.

Buying a Home in a European Location

Once a buyer has narrowed the search to a suitable city or town, the next stage is understanding the purchase process. Overseas buyers should establish the legal requirements for their nationality, the costs associated with acquisition and the taxes that may apply.

Buying property does not automatically confer a right to live permanently in the country. Residency, taxation and property ownership are related but separate areas of research.

Buyers should obtain independent professional advice in the jurisdiction where the property is located and should not rely solely on information supplied by a seller or intermediary.

The IPD European property buying guide, buying costs guide and property taxes guide provide supporting information for this stage.

Finding the Right European Country

The best place to live ultimately begins with the right country for the buyer's circumstances. Spain may appeal to someone seeking a warm climate and extensive coastal choices, while Germany may suit a buyer prioritising employment and infrastructure. Portugal may attract lifestyle buyers, Switzerland may appeal to those seeking a highly developed environment, and Croatia or Montenegro may interest buyers looking towards Adriatic coastal markets.

IPD's country hubs allow international buyers to research these differences directly, including Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Croatia and Montenegro.

The Best Place Is the One That Fits the Buyer

International property decisions are rarely improved by a simple list of the ten best European cities. Rankings can provide useful starting points, but they cannot account for an individual's nationality, budget, family circumstances, employment, health requirements, lifestyle or investment objectives.

A more useful process is to identify the type of life the buyer wants and then compare destinations against that requirement. Major cities can provide employment and connectivity. Regional cities can offer urban services with a different scale. Coastal destinations can provide lifestyle appeal. Smaller towns can offer space and a quieter environment. Each comes with its own compromises.

The final decision should then move from destination to specific location and finally to property. Buyers can compare European property destinations, individual countries, cities and towns, property types, prices, taxes and ownership considerations before making a shortlist.

From Living Location to Property Decision

For an overseas buyer, finding the right European home is a process of progressively reducing uncertainty. Europe is the broadest geographical choice, followed by country, region, city or town, neighbourhood and property.

At each stage, the buyer can test the location against practical requirements: accessibility, climate, services, property prices, rental demand where relevant, taxation, ownership rules and environmental risks.

This approach avoids treating the property as an isolated purchase. A home is part of a community, a transport network, a property market and a wider national legal and economic environment.

There may never be one objectively “best” place to live in Europe. There can, however, be a best fit for a particular international buyer. Understanding the differences between Europe's cities, towns, coastal destinations and regional communities is the first step towards finding it.