\nCountries with a broad range of visas and a fast, straightforward application process are easier to move to. Dedicated routes for students, employees and investors give applicants real choice.<\/li>\n
\nAn active labour market with genuine vacancies, especially in shortage occupations, makes a country far more attractive to newcomers.<\/li>\n
\nGood healthcare, strong schools, social security and a decent environment all weigh heavily in the decision.<\/li>\n
\nCountries where English is widely spoken, or where language courses are well funded, make settling in much easier.<\/li>\n
\nOpen, diverse societies help new arrivals find their footing and adapt more quickly.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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<\/p>\n
Which are the best European countries to move to?<\/h2>\n
Now that we know what makes a country a good destination, here are the countries that consistently come out well:<\/p>\n
1. Sweden<\/h3>\n
Sweden is regularly ranked among the best European countries to move to, live and work in. Its labour market has developed strongly, it competes well with the rest of Europe, and it actively supports people starting companies.<\/p>\n\n
| Advantages<\/th> | Challenges<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Job opportunities in technology, engineering, education and healthcare<\/td> | High living costs, especially in cities such as Stockholm and Gothenburg<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Excellent work-life balance (5 weeks' annual leave, 480 days' parental leave)<\/td> | High tax rates (up to 55% on high incomes)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| High-quality healthcare, tax-funded and free at the point of use<\/td> | Lengthy process to obtain a personal identity number (personnummer)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Advanced public transport with nationwide coverage<\/td> | Swedish language needed for professional and social integration<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| High safety, beautiful nature, high quality of life<\/td> | Building social connections can be hard given Swedes' private culture<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Collaborative workplaces and a flat organisational culture<\/td> | Cultural differences and social distance in the early stages of migration<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Free schooling for children<\/td> | High rents and difficulty finding housing in large cities<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n2. Portugal<\/h3>\nPortugal puts work-life balance first, which is why it ranks second in the EU on that measure and appears on most shortlists of the best European countries to move to.<\/p>\n\n
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