The world’s best destinations for expats: Where does Spain rank?

Many families and individuals choose to relocate to a new country while seeking the perfect balance of leisure, cost of living, and job opportunities.

Mercer’s 2024 Quality of Living report reveals the top-ranked global cities for expats, based on significant factors including safety, healthcare, and infrastructure. Read on to find out which eight European cities dominated the top 10…

The top 10 cities for expats in 2024

Zurich, Switzerland, claimed the top spot for its low crime rates, excellent public services, and cultural vibrancy, despite being one of the world’s most expensive cities. Other Swiss cities – Geneva (3rd), Bern (9th), and Basel (10th) – also made the top 10, showcasing Switzerland’s considerable expat appeal.

Austria’s Vienna (2nd) and Denmark’s Copenhagen (4th) highlighted Northern and Central Europe’s high quality of life.

How does Spain rank for expat appeal?

Despite its widespread appeal to tourists and digital nomads, Spain’s cities did not make the top 10. Factors such as uneven healthcare quality across regions, high youth unemployment, and challenges in infrastructure investment are suggested to have played a role in this.

While Spain missed the upper rankings, Malaga was placed 5^th and Valencia placed 9^th  on a separate list by Fortune as a great destination for digital nomads. Madrid (24^th) also celebrated for their excellent climate, laid-back lifestyle, and Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa.

Spain: Tourists and Digital Nomads still welcome

Although Spain’s major cities didn’t secure top spots for expats, the country is investing heavily in attracting tourists and remote workers to less-populated regions. For example:

• Extremadura offers grants of up to €15,000 for digital nomads willing to relocate to its rural areas, aiming to address depopulation and economic gaps.
• The association Los Pueblos Más Bonitos de España promotes Spain’s most beautiful villages to divert visitors from overcrowded urban areas. According to a report by Euronews, villages including Anento are thriving with innovative projects that attract both tourists and remote workers. Anento is within a limestone valley in the province of Zaragoza. Just a decade ago, the village had only 100 inhabitants and welcomed 2,000 visitors a year. Now, approximately 45,000 tourists arrive annually.

European destinations for expats

As overtourism burdens hotspots like Venice and Barcelona, other European countries are stepping up to attract expats and nomads. For instance:

• Albania’s Vlorë and Greece’s Kalamata topped Fortune’s digital nomad rankings, offering affordable living costs and visa schemes.
• A Romanian campaign has embraced the slogan “In some cities they don’t want you, but in Romania we love you,” pushing lesser-known cities like Timisoara as cultural and cost-effective alternatives.

While Spain didn’t rank in the top 10 cities for expats, it remains an attractive destination for tourists and digital nomads, thanks to its warm climate, rich cultural heritage, and relaxed lifestyle. A recent article by viraltrendingcontent interviewed internationals living in Spain and the general consensus was that they felt welcomed.

Whether you’re seeking a vibrant city experience or a quiet coastal village escape, Spain offers opportunities to suit a variety of lifestyles.