For individuals contemplating a move abroad, the possibilities can appear boundless: are you seeking to prioritise favourable weather conditions, enhanced career prospects, or an improved quality of life? Now, the most straightforward city for relocation within Europe has been definitively identified.
Surge in UK Emigration
This revelation coincides with a significant increase in UK emigration figures, which rose by more than six per cent in 2025 according to the Office for National Statistics. A growing number of British citizens are actively pursuing opportunities beyond the United Kingdom's borders.
Last year witnessed 252,000 Britons departing the UK, while only 143,000 returned. Notably, among those who left, a substantial 76 per cent were under the age of 35, indicating a strong trend among younger generations.
Top European Destinations for Relocation
Amsterdam has been officially designated as the easiest city for British nationals to relocate to in Europe, based on comprehensive new research. The Dutch capital secured the premier position due to its fully digitalised visa application process, robust employment market, high level of English proficiency among the local population, and a sizable expatriate community, with 34 per cent of Amsterdam's residents being foreign-born.
Berlin and Frankfurt Follow Closely
Narrowly trailing Amsterdam, Berlin claims the second spot. The German capital boasts a well-established expatriate presence, with 13.15 per cent of its inhabitants born outside the country, coupled with a vigorous job market offering 33 open positions per 1,000 residents.
Berlin also features one of the highest average salaries among the cities analysed in the study, while maintaining good affordability, as living costs are 21.2 per cent lower than those in London.
Completing the top three, Frankfurt secures third place. It benefits from Germany's generally high English proficiency rates and a dependable visa pathway, particularly for employees. Frankfurt possesses the second strongest job market in the ranking, with an average of 39.5 open roles per 1,000 residents.
The primary distinction between Frankfurt and Berlin lies in the former's smaller expatriate community, where only 2.4 per cent of residents are born outside Germany.
Further Rankings and Notable Omissions
Munich occupies fourth position, while Madrid rounds out the top five. Conversely, at the bottom of the list are both Rome and Milan. Despite Italy's reputation as the land of 'dolce vita', these cities rank as the most challenging for British relocation, due to low English proficiency scores and residency permit numbers considerably below the EU average.
Spanish cities, which traditionally dominate favoured expat destination lists, have not achieved top positions for simplicity in this study. Madrid and Barcelona placed fifth and eighth respectively.
Research Methodology and Expert Insight
The research, conducted by Feather Insurance, evaluated cities based on multiple criteria: openness to immigration, economic opportunity, ease of establishing a business for freelancers and entrepreneurs, and administrative complexity.
Easiest European Cities to Move to from the UK:
- Amsterdam
- Berlin
- Frankfurt
- Munich
- Madrid
- Paris
- Copenhagen
- Barcelona (tied)
- Lyon (tied)
- Stockholm
- Rome (tied)
- Milan (tied)
Vincent Audoire, a seasoned expatriate and co-founder at Feather Insurance, commented: 'An increasing number of people are exploring options to leave the UK in pursuit of warmer climates, a different lifestyle, or a reduced cost of living.'
'However, the challenges expatriates encounter and the procedural complexities involved in moving abroad are frequently overlooked and underestimated. From securing rental accommodation and organising visas and insurance, to acclimatising to a new environment, relocation can be intricate.'
'That is precisely why we developed the Relocation Index: to illuminate the most accessible places for relocation and assist individuals in comprehending the advantages and obstacles of each potential destination.'
Feather Insurance specialises in expatriate needs and designs digital insurance plans tailored for them across Europe.
