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Is Stockholm Safe in 2023? Areas You Should Avoid…

In the Swedish Capital, Rampant Crime is Shattering Illusions. Is Stockholm Safe still?

I am very suspicious of the traditional media. I am not some sort of conspiracy theorist, not even close to that.

But in the current monetization model that most journalists are part of, we all know that they need clicks, so readers see their ads or purchase their subscriptions.

This incentive tragic headlines and this is what we see when we look for news about Stockholm on the internet:

And all of this only in a space of two months in 2023.

Right now I am very cautious before writing about any city.

I don’t want to overjudge any location (especially after my article about the most dangerous cities in Europe generate some explosive repercussions in newspapers like The Mirror, The Daily Star, and, according to The Express, what I wrote made the Bradford police chief furious).

I was just writing about facts, but still…

This is not the first time we publish a polemical ranking. On other occasions, we told you about:

The 10 most violent cities in Europe
The 8 safest large cities in the US
Cities with the highest ratio of public libraries in the world (Maybe this one here was not very polemical, but equally interesting).
The 7 Countries With the Worst Work-Life Balance in the World
The most (and the least) beautiful European capitals.

Therefore, before answering our main question (Is Stockholm safe?), let’s dive into some numbers.

Book: Budget Travelers, Digital Nomads & Expats: The Ultimate Guide: 50 Tips, Tricks, Hacks, and Ways to Free Stuff & Cheaper Flights — Recommended book: Budget Travelers, Digital Nomads & Expats: The Ultimate Guide: 50 Tips, Tricks, Hacks, and Ways to Free Stuff & Cheaper Flights

So… How Safe Is Stockholm Really?

We compared the crime rates of Stockholm against 4 other major European capitals (Paris, Berlin, Rome, and Warsaw) in 5 different types of criminal offenses: rapes, murders, burglaries, assaults, and car theft.

I could compare it with other Scandinavian capitals, like the super-safe Copenhagen, but that would not give a proper dimension to the issue.

In the few cases where specific data for the city was not available, we used the national-level data. Sources are websites like Statista, Knoema, Macrotrends, and Brå.

Let’s check how the Swedish capital performed:

Rape crimes (Rate per 100,000 people)

Stockholm, Sweden 6.9
Paris, France 2.1
Berlin, Germany 1.4
Rome, Italy 1.2
Warsaw, Poland 0.9

Murders (Rate per 100,000 people)

Paris, France 1.0

Stockholm, Sweden 0.9
Berlin, Germany 0.8
Rome, Italy 0.6
Warsaw, Poland 0.5

Burglaries (Rate per 100,000 people)

Stockholm, Sweden 539.9
Paris, France 396.7
Berlin, Germany 341.8
Rome, Italy 250.0
Warsaw, Poland 210.0

Assaults (Rate per 100,000 people)

Stockholm, Sweden 3,107.3
Paris, France 2,694.0
Berlin, Germany 2,332.5
Rome, Italy 2,020.0
Warsaw, Poland 1,600.0

Car theft (Rate per 100,000 people)

Stockholm, Sweden 1,080.0
Paris, France 740.0
Berlin, Germany 620.0
Rome, Italy 480.0
Warsaw, Poland 360.0

As we can see, Stockholm led every single indicator except the murder rate, where it followed in second place close to Paris. It is important to say, however, that at least in the case of the murder rate all these cities had considerably low numbers.

The same, however, cannot be said about the other modalities of crime.

But the crime rate of Stockholm also conveys us a curious message when we see it broken by region.

What the Stockholm Crime Rate Tell Us

The website Max-Security plotted on a map the areas that have the highest security risk in Stockholm according to the police.

Look at this map for a minute and tell me if you notice a pattern:

Stockholm Risk Map — Source: Max-Security

The fact that the riskiest areas in Stockholm are either in the far south or the far north of the city is not something really unknown.

In London, the safest areas are in the western part, while the most violent districts like Tower Hamlets or Barking & Dagenham are in East London.
In Glasgow, the most dangerous regions are in the northern area of the city.

There could be many other examples where violent crimes prevail in zones distant from the center of a major city. There are also some exceptions, where violence is concentrated in a zone very close to the city center.

There is, however, a striking similarity in what makes the most dangerous parts of Stockholm, London, and Glasgow that violent.

The Most Violent Parts of Stockholm

Tensta

Tensta is a suburb located in the northwest part of Stockholm. It is part of the Rinkeby-Kista borough and is known for its multicultural atmosphere. The neighborhood was developed in the 1960s as part of the Million Programme, a Swedish initiative to construct affordable housing for the growing population.

Nowadays, Tensta is home to approximately 20,000 residents, and at least 53% of them had a foreign background.

Criminal gangs (take note of this expression, because this is one of the roots of most violence issues in Sweden) have so much power there that they instituted district-wide curfews for the residents. Nobody could go out of their houses at risk of suffering severe penalties from the criminals.

This is something that we often see in Rio de Janeiro‘s poorest communities (“favelas”), but it was the first time I read about it happening in Europe.

Husby

Husby, also located in the northwestern part of Stockholm, is another neighborhood that has experienced significant challenges, particularly in terms of crime and social unrest.

It has gained notoriety for its higher crime rates compared to other parts of Stockholm, but also due to some instances of cultural clash (more than 80% of the district has an immigrant background).

A few years ago, women denounced that in Husby it was active some sort of morality police, that went around the streets harassing females that didn’t have their hair covered.

Before that, in 2013, intense riots started in Husby and spread all across Sweden. Trucks burned, cars were destroyed, businesses were vandalized, and the once idyllic image of this suburb got obliterated.

Only 3 years later, it all happened again.

Rinkeby

In the same northwestern region of Tensta and Husby, there is also a neighborhood called Rinkeby (in a borough of the same name).

Just like in the previously mentioned areas, Rinkeby has a serious problem with organized crime and gangs.

One of the local cops from Rinkeby told France24 during an interview:

You’ll see wounds, people who’ve been shot with AK47s, who’ve been stabbed, people who have war wounds. It’s like a totally different society … another type of Sweden

One of the most feared gangs is called The Death Patrol.Criminal activities from this gang even spread to other European countries, like the murders they committed in Copenhagen.

Gangs are responsible for most of the bomb attacks in Sweden, and often riots start after gang members get killed by rivals, like during the Christmas of 2022.

Avoiding Bad Areas of Stockholm

As you noticed, the most dangerous part of the city is quite far from the center.

Therefore, embarking on a Stockholm sightseeing trip while bypassing the pockets of concern requires a blend of creativity and planning, but it is not that difficult.

By employing a proactive approach and exploring the city’s vibrant offerings, you can enjoy the wonders of Stockholm while minimizing exposure to areas like Rinkeby and Tensta.

Here’s a creative roadmap for a safer trip:

Explore Gamla Stan: Begin your Stockholm adventure in the enchanting Gamla Stan, the city’s historic Old Town. Wander through its narrow streets, soak in the historic charm, and admire the captivating architecture while staying in a safer area of the city. Be aware, however, that petty crimes and scams in still happen close to tourist attractions.
Discover Stockholm’s natural beauty by visiting Djurgården island, where you can explore lush parks, visit renowned museums like the Vasa Museum and enjoy the serenity of Lake Mälaren.
Prefer lively districts like Södermalm and Östermalm, known for their trendy shops, cafes, and boutiques. These neighborhoods offer a lively urban experience while staying away from areas with higher safety concerns.
Consider Guided Tours: more about it in a few paragraphs.

Where to Stay and The Safest Neighborhoods in Stockholm

If you are visiting Sweden’s capital, you really don’t need to expose yourself to a dangerous situation in Rinkeby.

As a modern Scandinavian city, Stockholm has plenty of green spaces, areas with substantial historical landmarks, and is easily accessible. So here is where you should stay to enjoy all that:

Norrmalm

Situated in the heart of Stockholm, Norrmalm is a bustling district known for its central location and excellent public transport connections, including the Stockholm Central Station.

Norrmalm is home to many iconic attractions, such as Sergels Torg, one of the major public squares in Stockholm, and the main pedestrian shopping street in the Swedish capital, Drottninggatan. The district offers a wide range of accommodation options, from three-star hotels to luxury establishments.

Östermalm

Located in the eastern part of Stockholm, Östermalm is a sophisticated and upscale district with excellent public transport connections, including the Östermalmstorg metro station. Östermalm is known for its elegant, contemporary architecture throughout, and the Östermalm Market Hall.

Södermalm

Located to the south of Stockholm’s city center, Södermalm has a distinct bohemian atmosphere. Despite its edgy vibe, Södermalm is considered safe for tourists. It offers excellent public transport connections, including several metro stations like Slussen and Medborgarplatsen, making it easy to reach the Old Town.

These three districts in Stockholm (Östermalm, Norrmalm, and Södermalm) offer a safe and enjoyable stay for tourists. With good public transport connections to Stockholm’s Old Town, a range of three, four, and five-star hotels, and unique attractions, each provides a distinct experience while ensuring comfort and convenience for visitors.

Moving Out, Working Abroad and Keeping Your Sanity Cover — Recommended book: Moving Out, Working Abroad, and Keeping Your Sanity

Stockholm: Travel Safety Tips

Here are some more specific, street-wise safety tips to visit Stockholm:

1st — If you visit Stockholm for a day trip, there are plenty of options in terms of luggage storage, so you don’t need to walk around with your carry-on bags while seeing its many tourist attractions. Reliable, convenient, and inexpensive luggage storage services you can find at Radical Storage.

2nd — If want to discover some more isolated places or other Swedish cities, hire a guide. You can find some amazing guides and tours at Viator. Not only they will give you insider information about the gorgeous natural beauty of the country, but they will also warn you of risky areas and keep you safe.

3rd — Areas surrounding airports and train stations can be dangerous. Book a transfer in advance from one of the airports in Stockholm (or from any of the train stations) to your destination and vice versa, so you can avoid scammers and criminals. I often used Get Transfer for that and it always worked fine.

4th — Stay in a good hostel. Hostels are usually close to the tourist attractions in the safest part of the city area (at least in Europe), unlike hotels. Most hostels have private rooms that are as comfortable as a hotel, plus a friendly staff to give information. When looking for hostels, I visit Hostelworld and filter for those above grade 7.

5th – Remain alert in crowded places. Even in tourist areas, there are still cases of petty crime.

6th — As travel insurance for visiting Sweden (and any country in northern Europe), we recommend Ekta.

Conclusion: Is Stockholm safe to visit right now?

Despite its previous status as a safe city, recent incidents have shown that Stockholm has a certain exposure to risks of terrorist attacks, organized crime, gang activity, or dangerous situations.

This realization serves as a reminder that no city can guarantee absolute safety, no matter how beautiful or popular it may be. In light of these unsettling events, it is essential for travelers to exercise common sense, and extreme caution, and remain vigilant while exploring Stockholm’s inner city. This is especially true during the summer months when the city attracts a large influx of tourists, increasing the likelihood of encountering potentially risky situations.

In addition to concerns about criminal activities and the threat of terrorism and even grenade attacks, Stockholm also grapples with other safety issues.

Visitors should be aware of the prevalence of alcohol-related violence, particularly in nightlife areas, where confrontations can quickly escalate. Petty theft remains a persistent issue in the city, with pickpocketing and thefts occurring in crowded areas or at closing times.

While public transportation in Stockholm is generally reliable, travelers should exercise caution, as crowded buses, trams, and subway stations can attract the attention of opportunistic criminals.

The Swedish police and security guards are present in public spaces, but just their presence may not be enough to combat the increasing dangers in the city. It is crucial for visitors to prioritize their personal safety and take necessary precautions.

Familiarizing oneself with the local neighborhoods and consulting with local authorities or trusted sources for up-to-date safety information is highly recommended. Additionally, travelers should consider employing safety measures such as using a money belt, securing travel insurance, and avoiding displaying signs of wealth.

While the city’s allure in parts like Gamla Stan remains, it is crucial to be mindful of the potential risks and exercise vigilance at all times. By staying alert, following your own safety precautions (in the beginning of this article we gave you some really good ideas), and being aware of the changing safety dynamics, travelers can navigate Stockholm more cautiously in the face of its increasingly precarious environment.

If you enjoyed this article answering if is Stockholm safe, here are a few other reading suggestions for you:

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Levi Borba is the founder of the Expatriate Consultancy, creator of the channel The Expat, and best-selling author. Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, meaning that the author will have a commission for any transaction.

Best Countries Ranking

Population Collapse: Top 10 Countries With Declining Populations

The Countdown to Collapse and the Demographic Doomsday: 10 Countries With Declining Populations

The global population curve inversion (when it stops growing and starts to decrease) is a moment that is apparently coming faster than experts expected decades ago, and there are multiple countries with declining populations already. In some of them, problems are getting serious.

Recent reports predict the global population will peak at 9.7 billion in 2064 before declining.

But way before that, multiple countries will see their populations decrease to the point of collapsing structures like workforce and (most of all), social security.

It is a ticking time bomb for numerous nations across the globe (while it will also benefit immensely some people).

Some nations may face such drastic drops in the numbers of their young, tax-paying citizens that the funding of their government structures may be wiped out due to lacking budgets.

There are many reasons to blame (or thank for, if you are one of those that benefit from shrinking populations) for the demographic collapse in these countries. This is a phenomenon that has been attributed to things like increased birth control, family planning, urbanization, increasing costs, and changing cultural norms.

The problems caused by population decline are not very visible when we talk about marginal percentages, like a 2 or 3% decline in a time span of decades.

But in the next few paragraphs, we will show you countries that may lose up to one-quarter of their total population in a matter of decades.

This doesn’t happen without some nasty consequences.

That means ghost cities, economic downfall, collapsed social security, and obliteration of tax revenues in many countries.

Recommended book: Moving Out, Working Abroad, and Keeping Your Sanity

The Criteria Used to Determine the Worst Ten Countries With Declining Populations

First of all, the 10 countries below are not the absolute worst regarding forecasted population decline. There are nations like Latvia or some islands in the Pacific Ocean that have even worse demographic decreases but didn’t make it to the list because they are too small.

That is because we only considered countries with more than 5 million residents.

Another filter applied was to take out countries that are currently experiencing a considerable inflow or outflow of refugees. For example, both Poland and Ukraine experienced enormous population changes last year due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

While Poland gained millions of new residents, Ukraine lost a considerable share. But this is likely not a permanent demographic change and often refugees return to their countries after armed conflicts. That is the reason we didn’t consider demographic challenges in both countries (although they do exist).

The Data Source

All the information about past populations and the forecasted number of residents in the countries mentioned below is from the 2022 data release from the UN Population Division.

Some additional information is from OurWorldInData. Data about fertility rates are from UNFPA or from the World Bank.

All the population pyramids are from populationpyramid.net.

Other sources (like the provided demographic pyramids) are linked after their respective mentions.

What a “healthy” demographic pyramid looks like

One of the few countries in Europe that are close to the population replacement fertility rate (2.1 children per woman) is Azerbaijan (although one could argue that they are actually located in Asia).

Their population pyramid looks like this:

Population of Azerbaijan 2020 - PopulationPyramid.net

A country with a stable population usually has a population pyramid with roughly the same number of people in each age and gender group.

The pyramid has a somewhat rectangular shape with relatively equal numbers of people in each age range, with a slightly wider base representing the younger age groups and a slightly narrower top representing the older age groups. The number of men and women is about the same.

What the demographic pyramid of a fast-growing country looks like

The fastest-growing country in the world (in terms of population) is Niger. Their birth rate is a whopping 6.6 children per woman. Below is their population pyramid.

Population of Niger 2019 - PopulationPyramid.net

The pyramid of a country like Niger, with a rapidly growing population, has a wide base and a narrow top, indicating a high proportion of young people.

Now that you know what the population pyramids of stable and growing countries look like, time to jump into the countries with declining populations.

Low Fertility Rates – What It Means

The fertility rate is a measure of the average number of children born to a woman over her lifetime, in a specific population or region.

It is calculated by dividing the total number of live births in a given year by the number of women of reproductive age (usually defined as ages 15-49) in that same year and then multiplying the result by a factor that adjusts for the age distribution of women in the population.

The replacement fertility rate is the number of children that each woman needs to have on average in order to replace herself and her partner in the population over the long term.

In other words, it is the fertility rate at which the population size remains constant, neither increasing nor decreasing.

The replacement fertility rate is typically estimated to be around 2.1 children per woman.

Any country with a fertility rate lower than that tends to have a population decline unless it increases life expectancy or experiences an inflow of immigrants.

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The Fastest-Shrinking Countries in the World: Declining Populations

10th – China

Fertility rate: 1.45 births per woman

Population in 1990: 1,153,704,200 people

Population in 2022: 1,425,887,400 people

Projected Population for 2050: 1,312,636,300 people

Forecasted population decline of China: -7.9%

One of the main reasons for the Chinese decline is the country’s one-child policy, which was in place from 1979 to 2015.

The policy was meant to control the population growth rate, but it had unintended consequences, such as a disproportionately high number of male children being born due to a cultural preference for sons. China is the worldwide leader in the number of abortions already for decades, and abortive procedures often are executed after parents discovering they will have a girl.

The policy has also led to an aging population and a shrinking workforce, which could have a negative impact on China’s economic and growth rate. Additionally, the high cost of living in urban areas has discouraged people from having children, and many couples are choosing to delay or forgo having children altogether.

Another contributing factor is China’s rapidly aging population, which puts pressure on the country’s healthcare and pension systems.

The country’s birth rate has been consistently declining since the 1980s, and as a result, the proportion of elderly people is increasing. By 2050, it is estimated that almost 30% of the Chinese population will be over 60 years old. This aging population puts pressure on the government to provide adequate healthcare and pension benefits, while also raising concerns about the future of the country’s workforce and economic growth.

Population of China 2021 - PopulationPyramid.net. The 10th worst among the countries with declining populations

9th – Russia

Fertility rate: 1.5 births per woman

Population in 1990: 148,005,700

Population in 2022: 144,713,310

Projected Population for 2050: 133,133,030

Forecasted population decline of Russia: -8%

Russia’s population decline is due to a combination of low fertility rates, high mortality rates, and emigration.

Emigration is a major problem in the poorest areas since Russia is one of the most unequal countries in the world.

According to the United Nations, Russia’s population is expected to decline by 10 million people by 2050. Factors contributing to this decline include high levels of alcohol and tobacco consumption, a lack of access to quality healthcare, and a high incidence of infectious diseases.

Emigration is also a significant factor, with many young and educated Russians leaving the country in search of better opportunities, something that increased after the sanctions imposed due to the invasion of Ukraine. Western countries and even places in the middle east like Dubai received considerable number of Russians escaping sanctions.

One curious phenomenon in Russia is that male life expectancy is way lower than female due to high suicide rates, violence, and alcoholism.

Population of Russian Federation 2020 - PopulationPyramid.net. The 9th worst among the countries with declining populations

8th – Portugal

Fertility rate: 1.44 births per woman

Population in 1990: 10,007,347

Population in 2022: 10,270,857

Projected Population for 2050: 9,261,306

Forecasted population decline of Portugal: -9.8%

Portugal’s population decline is due to low fertility rates and emigration (despite it being very attractive to foreign pensioners and figuring among the best retirement destinations in the world). It managed to keep it population somehow stable during the last decades due to an influx of immigrants from Brazil and other portuguese speaking nations.

According to a report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Portugal has the highest rate of emigration among OECD countries, with an estimated 2.5 million Portuguese citizens living abroad.

Population of Portugal 2020 - PopulationPyramid.net. The 8th worst among the countries with declining populations

7th – Cuba

Fertility rate: 1.6 births per woman

Population in 1990: 10,626,679

Population in 2022: 11,212,198

Projected Population for 2050: 10,028,082

Forecasted population decline of Cuba: -10.6%

In Cuba, the demographic decline is due to low birth rates and emigration. Cuba’s birth rate has been declining since the 1970s, due in part to family planning policies, economic pressure and changing cultural norms.

Emigration, especially from the Island to the USA, has also been a factor.

Population of Cuba 2020 - PopulationPyramid.net. The 7th worst among the countries with declining populations

6th – Romania

Fertility rate: 1.58 births per woman

Population in 1990: 22,836,234

Population in 2022: 19,659,270

Projected Population for 2050: 17,457,214

Forecasted population decline of Romania: -11.2%

Romania’s declining population is due to low fertility rates and emigration in recent years. Many young and educated Romanians left the country in search of better opportunities.

This is a common situation in Eastern Europe, and that is why there is one of the neighboring countries of Romania at the top of this list.

According to a report from Bloomberg, during the past decade, millions of Romanians have left the country and headed toward more developed countries since their admission into the European Union

Population of Romania 2022 - PopulationPyramid.net. The 6th worst among the countries with declining populations

5th – Italy

Fertility rate: 1.3 births per woman

Population in 1990: 56,756,560

Population in 2022: 59,037,470

Projected Population for 2050: 52,250,484

Forecasted population decline of Italy: -11.5%

Italy’s population decline is due to low fertility rates and aging. The country has one of the lowest birth rates outside eastern Asia, with an average of 1.3 children per woman.

Italy also has one of the oldest populations in the world, with a median age of 47.3 years. This demographic shift is putting a strain on the country’s economy and social welfare systems, as there are fewer young people to support the growing number of elderly citizens.

Population of Italy 2020 - PopulationPyramid.net. The 5th worst among the countries with declining populations

4th – South Korea

Fertility rate: 1.39 births per woman

Population in 1990: 44,120,040

Population in 2022: 51,815,810

Projected Population for 2050: 45,770,870

Forecasted population decline of South Korea: -11.7%

In South Korea, the demographic decline is driven by low birth rates and an aging population. South Korea has one of the lowest birth rates in the world, due in part to changing cultural norms and economic pressures.

One of the main reasons for such low numbers is the fact that the country has one of the worst work-life balances in the world according to the OECD.

The country also has a rapidly aging and declining population now, with a growing number of elderly people who require care and support.

Population of Republic of Korea 2020 - PopulationPyramid.net. The 4th worst among the countries with declining populations

3th – Greece

Fertility rate: 1.31 births per woman

Population in 1990: 10,302,255

Population in 2022: 10,384,972

Projected Population for 2050: 9,144,953

Forecasted population decline of Greece: -11.9%

Greece’s population is expected to drop almost 12% during the next decades, and the demographic decline is due to a combination of lower birth rates (an issue common in many european countries), high emigration, and an aging population.

Greece’s birth rate has been declining since the 1980s, and emigration has been a factor as young people leave in search of better economic opportunities and to escape the negative impacts of the serious economic downfall that started in 2009.

The country’s population also has a high proportion of elderly people, with a low ratio of working-age people to support them.

Population of Greece 2020 - PopulationPyramid.net. The 3rd worst among the countries with declining populations

2th – Japan

Fertility rate: 1.34

Population in 1990: 123,686,320

Population in 2022: 123,951,700

Projected Population for 2050: 103,784,360

Forecasted population decline of Japan: -16.3%

In Japan, the demographic decline is largely due to a low birth rate and an aging population. Japan has one of the lowest birth rates in the world, due in part to changing cultural norms and economic pressures.

The country also has a rapidly aging population, with a growing number of elderly people who require care and support. Japan’s government has been implementing policies to encourage people to have more children, such as increasing childcare support and offering financial incentives.

However, these policies have had limited success so far in reversing the country’s demographic decline.

Population of Japan 2020 - PopulationPyramid.net. The 2nd worst among the countries with declining populations

1st – Bulgaria

Fertility rate: 1.56

Population in 1990: 8,767,778

Population in 2022: 6,781,955

Projected Population for 2050: 5,187,394

Forecasted population decline of Bulgaria: -23.5%

Bulgaria tops our list of countries with declining populations, but as we can see, their fertility rateis not that bad when compared to other countries in this list (although still alarmingly below replacement levels). That gives a hint that the reason for Bulgaria occupying the top place among the fastest declining populations is another.

It is an issue that also affected a few other Eastern European countries: the exodus of young professionals after the entrance into the European Union. The population decline may be well one of the reasons the local government instituted programs to bring remote workers and pensioners to Bulgaria.

After Bulgaria’s entrance into the European Union in 2007, many Bulgarians emigrated to other EU countries in search of better economic opportunities and higher standards of living. This resulted in a brain drain of skilled workers, leaving behind an aging population with fewer young people to support them.

So, Tl;DR: Bulgaria’s demographic decline is due to a combination of factors, including low birth rates, high death rates, and, most of all, emigration. Curiously, despite the low fertility rates, Bulgaria is also one of the easiest countries in the world to adopt a baby from.

Population of Bulgaria 2019 - PopulationPyramid.net. The worst among the countries with declining populations

What More We Should Know About The Current Population Decline?

What is the main reason behind the current population decline in many countries?

The main reasons behind the declining population in many countries, particularly in European countries, are a combination of low fertility rates, aging population, and high emigration rates. The fertility rate in these countries has significantly dropped below the replacement level of 2.1 births per woman, leading to fewer births and an overall population decline. Furthermore, the aging population results in a higher death rate, and high emigration rates cause a loss of young working-age individuals, further contributing to the problem.

What is the global impact of an expected population decline?

The global population is expected to reach its peak around 2100 and then start to decline slowly. This could have several implications such as economic challenges due to a shrinking workforce and the increasing costs of providing healthcare and social services to an aging population. Furthermore, a declining population can lead to reduced demand for goods and services, lower economic growth, and potential political instability in affected countries.

If you enjoyed this article about countries with declining populations, here are a few other reading suggestions for you:

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Levi Borba is the founder of The Expatriate Consultancy, creator of the channel The Expat, and best-selling author. Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, meaning that the author will have a commission for any transactions.

Best Countries Ranking

The Best Places to Retire in Spain

Discover The Best Places to Retire in Spain (and Why Madrid is Not in The Top 10)

If you have already read any of my other articles about retirement abroad, you can jump straight to the first subtitle (Why are we writing about retiring in Spain?). If not, keep reading from the beginning to get some context about the best places to retire in Spain.

My company helps expats. Many of these people know what they want and just need help. What about retiring in X? What’s your opinion? they ask me.

Often I don’t know what to say. I tell my team to research the destination and write a detailed report so I can give our customers the information they need.

Not surprisingly, most of the destinations are warm places with idyllic beaches. Below is the resumed version of some reports we did, available for free for you:

Ps: Check also our Youtube Channel.

Why are we writing about retiring in Spain?

As we said, our team wrote about a myriad of countries that are among the favorite places for pensioners, remote workers, and digital nomads.

There is a certain country that we wrote a few times about on our website: Spain.

It figured in multiple articles and ranks we made (more about these ranks below) because the demand for people interested in moving to Spain is massive.

But we never wrote about where to live in Spain, especially if you are a pensioner.

Until now…

Before jumping on the best places to retire in Spain, let’s understand the criteria used.

The Criteria to Define the 10 Best Places to Retire in Spain

While some aspects of the decision to move somewhere are indeed subjective, we specified a set of objective indicators and data to select the best places to retire in Spain.

Some other aspects, like the bureaucracy of moving to some places, we decided to leave out. The reason is that they would differ drastically from reader to reader. For example, if you are an American, moving to Valencia demands a few more bureaucratic steps (but it is still doable) than if you are German.

Hospital beds per 1000 inhabitants.

This may not be that important if you are part of the FIRE movement, but if we are talking about the traditional idea of retirement (when we are already at a certain age), good healthcare is necessary because people get sicker as they get older.

While this is not always the case, a city with few hospital beds per 1000 people may have an overburdened healthcare system. This can delay medical procedures and make specialized care harder to get. However, a city with many hospital beds per 1000 people often will have a decent healthcare system.

The source for this data is the Ministerio de Sanidad(Health Ministry of Spain).

The income per capita.

A higher income per capita means that the city or region has a higher average income, which typically leads to a higher standard of living, better infrastructure, and access to quality healthcare facilities (since these areas attract better doctors, clinics, and other infrastructure investments).

The data used is from the INE (Instituto Nacional de Estadística).

The Human Development Index (HDI)

The “human development index” (HDI) is a composite indicator that goes from 0 to 1. It takes into account factors such as life expectancy, education, and income to provide an overall measure of human development in a certain place.

The HDI is an important indicator when deciding a place for retirement because it provides insight into the overall quality of life in the area.

To put it into perspective, Norway has an HDI of 0.861, while Pakistan has an HDI of 0.544.

The Regional HDI of Spain is calculated by the Instituto Nacional de Estadística or compiled by the GlobalDataLab.

Cost of living per couple and to rent/purchase an apartment in the city center.

This is self-explanatory. If someone is retiring abroad, he/she wants to make the best of her buck.

When we are living on a stable pension from abroad, we look for a place where we can have a good quality of life for the lowest prices.

For these indicators, we used data from Numbeo and Expatistan.

Disclaimer: This indicator uses 2021 data. Since 2022 and 2023 had high inflation, values may be higher now, but the difference between cities (what matters for a comparison) remains.

The average temperature in January

January is the coldest month of the year in the northern hemisphere, and this is also valid for Spain.

Older people are especially affected by cold, so living in a place where negative temperatures are rare can boost immensely their quality of life. Some of the health conditions that are triggered or worsened by colder temperatures are:

Arthritis: Cold weather can cause joint pain, stiffness, and swelling in people with arthritis. This is because cold temperatures can cause the tissues around the joints to contract, leading to increased pressure on the joints.
Influenza and other respiratory infections: Cold weather can weaken the immune system, making older adults more susceptible to respiratory infections like the flu, pneumonia, and bronchitis.
Heart attacks and strokes: Cold temperatures can cause blood vessels to constrict, leading to an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes in older adults.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD): SAD is a type of depression that occurs during the winter months, and it can affect older adults as well.

The 11 cities we selected as the best places to retire in Spain are ranked below based on their average temperatures in January, from warmest to coldest.

To put into perspective, the average temperature where I live (Poland) is 1.5 negative in January.

Tenerife – 20°C
Malaga – 14°C
Costa del Sol – 14°C
Alicante – 13°C
Valencia – 12°C
Costa de Azahar – 11°C
Mallorca – 10°C
Bilbao – 8°C
Madrid – 7°C
San Sebastian – 7°C

The average maximum temperature in July

While warm weather help with health conditions like Arthritis, excessively high temperatures can also present a risk for older people.

This is especially true when we get close to or above 40 degrees Celsius. I lived for some years in Qatar and high temperatures were one of the major risks for construction workers–mostly young and healthy. For seniors, it is even more dangerous.

That is why we filtered out any city that has an average maximum temperature in July (summer peak) above 32 degrees celsius. This resulted in the removal of cities like Seville (35.5°C of average max. temperature in July) and Córdoba, which has an incredible 36.5°C of average max. temperature in July and many days going above 40°C.

Below is the July average maximum temperature of our selected cities, from highest to lowest.

Costa del Sol – 31°C
Malaga – 30°C
Alicante – 30°C
Mallorca – 30°C
Valencia – 29°C
Costa de Azahar – 29°C
Tenerife – 28°C
Madrid – 28°C
San Sebastian – 23°C
Bilbao – 23°C

Now that all the criteria used are clear, time to go for our list.

The Best Places to Retire in Spain (and Why Madrid Has No Spot in the Top10)

Madrid: good quality of life for pensioners…. but for a high cost.

Population: 3,334,730
Hospital beds per 1000 inhabitants: 1.8 per 1,000 inhabitants
Income per capita: €34,821
HDI: 0.940 (2021)
Cost of living for a couple: €2,506.94 per month
Average maximum temperature in July: 28°C
Average temperature in January: 7°C
Cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment in the city center: €971.43 per month.

Center of Madrid, Spain. Image edited by ExpatriateConsultancy.com team using resources from Canva.

We were not supposed to put Madrid, the largest Spanish city, on this list of the best places to retire.

However, we inserted it for a few reasons.

The first of them is that there are indeed some pros to retire in the spanish capital.

Pros like the ample offer of high-quality major hospitals, entertainment and cultural options like science and art museums, an international airport that connects you to the entire world, excellent transport links by rail, and all the modern conveniences that a 3-million-people city can offer.

Madrid also has plenty of green spaces (they represent almost 16% of the city) and fresh food is available in the daily central market. In terms of violence, Madrid is a very safe city too.

The second reason we put Madrid in this ranking is that indeed a lot of people (including over 6 thousand other British citizens and expats) choose this city to live in.

But what are the cons of living in one of the largest European cities?

First and foremost, Madrid is expensive (the same is valid for another city we didn’t put in this list, Barcelona). Both the capital and surroundings are ery expensive when compared to many of the cities mentioned here.

If you are retiring abroad, you want to be cost-effective, and compared to other Spanish cities, Madrid is not. Another reason we didn’t put Madrid in the Top 10 is that it can get cold in the winter since the city is located at 657 meters of altitude. The third reason is that it is a 3-million-people metropolis, and therefore, it can get noisy, polluted, and complicated.

But, as we said, it has an excellent healthcare system and great infrastructure.

Mallorca

Population: 896,038
Hospital beds per 1,000 inhabitants: 1.9 (Balearic Islands region)
Income per capita: €24,866(Balearic Islands region)
HDI: 0.876 (Balearic Islands region)
Average cost of living for a couple: €2,238.15
Average max. temperature in July: 26°C
Average temperature in January: 10°C
Cost of renting a 1-bedroom apartment in city center: €825

Pros of retiring in Mallorca

Warm and sunny climate all year round.
The Balearic Islands have a good healthcare infrastructure, with 1.9 hospital beds per 1000 inhabitants
Many opportunities for outdoor activities and an invitation to live the beach life.
Due to the touristy nature of the place, it has good airline connectivity.

Cons of retiring in Mallorca

Nearly all the cons of Mallorca are related to the fact that it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Spain.

High cost of living, especially in peak season.
During the summer months, the place can get really crowded.
It can be noisy close to the most touristic spots and where there is a large concentration of hotels.
Overcrowding and traffic congestion in certain areas due to tourism.

Bilbao: One of the best large cities to retire in Spain

Population: 345,141
Hospital beds per 1,000 inhabitants: 2.8 (Basque Country region)
Income per capita: €32,925 (Basque Country region)
HDI: 0.932 (Basque Country region)
Average cost of living for a couple: €2,289.22
Average max. temperature in July: 23°C
Average temperature in January: 8°C
Cost of renting a 1-bedroom apartment in city center: €750

Bilbao, in the Basque Country. Image edited by ExpatriateConsultancy.com team using resources from Canva.

Pros of retiring in Bilbao

High HDI (Human Development Index) of 0.932, which is one of the highest in Spain
Well-developed economically, with plenty of job opportunities for those who want to work in retirement
Good public transportation system, making it easy to get around the city and beyond.

Cons of retiring in Bilbao

The language barrier, as Basque is the lingua franca in the region and many locals prefer it instead Spanish.
Relatively Cold weather, as temperatures can drop lower than in other parts of Spain, especially in the winter
High cost of living, as Bilbao is one of the most expensive cities in Spain
Air pollution can be an issue in some areas of the city
The city may feel crowded and busy, especially during peak tourist season.

If someone prefers a smaller, and fancier alternative for retirement in the Basque region, there is also a city that is worldwide famous for its high cuisine and scenic views: San Sebastián.

San Sebastián: The Fancier, Smaller Alternative in the Basque Country

San Sebastian is situated on the coast of the Golfo de Vizcaya (Bay of Biscay), making it a great location for retirees who enjoy the beach and water activities (although Spain’s north Atlantic coast is much colder than the Mediterranean side). Bilbao, on the other hand, is not directly on the coast, although it is relatively close to some beaches.

San Sebastian also enjoys a milder climate than Bilbao, with average temperatures being a bit warmer and more comfortable throughout the year.

Finally, San Sebastian is a smaller city than Bilbao, with a more laid-back pace of city life. This can be appealing to retirees who prefer a more relaxed lifestyle, away from the hustle and bustle of a larger city.

Population: 186,000
Average cost of living for a couple: €2,400-€2,700/month
Average max. temperature in July: 23°C
Average temperature in January: 7°C
Cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment in the city center: €1,000-€1,400/month

Tenerife & Canary Islands: the best place to live in Spain if you are suffering from arthritis

Population: 917,841
Number of hospital beds per 1000 inhabitants: 2 beds per 1,000 inhabitants (Canary Islands region)
The income per capita: €18,990 (Canary Islands region)
HDI: 0.902 (Canary Islands region)
Average cost of living for a couple: €1,200 – €1,800 per month
Average max. temperature in July: 28°C
Average temperature in January: 20°C
Cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment in the city center: €500 – €800 per month

Towns in the Canary Islands. Image edited by ExpatriateConsultancy.com team using resources from Canva.

Living in Tenerife and the Canary Islands as an expatriate retiree can be a mixed experience. While the islands offer a pleasant climate, stunning landscapes, and a relaxed way of life, they also have their challenges.

Expats should be prepared for a slower pace of life, and some areas can feel quite touristy. Additionally, the islands’ remote location can make it difficult to access some goods and services, and the cost of living can be high in certain areas during the high season.

Pros of Retiring in Tenerife and the Canary Islands

Mild winter weather (one could even argue if winter exists there at all) – Tenerife has one of the warmest winters among European cities, making it the best place to retire if you suffer from arthritis.
Decent infrastructure – The islands have a modern infrastructure befitting of a place with almost 1 million residents.
Relatively affordable cost of living – Compared to the Islands in the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands (which are located in the Atlantic Ocean) offer a more affordable cost of living.

Cons of retiring in The Canary Islands

Things run slower there – The islands’ relaxed way of life can be frustrating for those used to a faster pace.
It can get touristy – Some parts of the islands can feel overrun by tourists, especially during peak season.
Limited access to goods and services – The islands’ remote location can make it difficult to access certain goods and services.
High cost of living in some areas – While the cost of living can be relatively affordable, certain areas can be quite expensive (general rule of thumb: the closer to popular beaches, the more expensive it gets).

Málaga – Low Living Costs and Good Connectivity

Population: 578,460
Hospital beds per 1000 inhabitants: 1.8 (Andalusian region)
Income per capita: €20,321
HDI: 0.860
Average cost of living for a couple: €1,800-€2,200/month
Average max. temperature in July: 28°C
Average temperature in January: 12°C
Cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment in the city center: €700-€1,100/month

Malaga, in Spain. Image edited by ExpatriateConsultancy.com team using resources from Canva.

Málaga, located in the autonomous community of Andalusia, is home to a large and welcoming expat community. Multiple retirees from all over Europe chose to make their home in this part of Spain.

The city also boasts excellent airline connectivity to other countries and parts of Europe, making it easy for retirees to travel and stay connected with loved ones. However, as with any location, there are also potential downsides to consider.

Pros of living in Málaga

Low cost of living
Good healthcare infrastructure with 1.8 hospital beds per 1000 inhabitants
Considerable expat community
Excellent airline connectivity to other European countries.

Cons of retirement in Malaga City

Andalusia is one of the least developed regions in Spain. The unemployment rate is relatively high, which creates some other problems that can affect retirees.
Hot summers can be uncomfortable for some
High levels of tourism during the summer months can make the city feel crowded
Andalusian bureaucracy can be frustrating and time-consuming

Only 81 kilometers from Málaga, in southern Spain, is a little region that is extremely attractive to pensioners that are beach lovers: Costal del Sol.

Costa del Sol: One of the best places to retire in Spain by the sea

Average cost of living for a couple: €1,700-€2,000/month
Average max temperature in July: 31°C
Average temperature in January: 14°C
Cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment in the city center: €650-€1,100/month

Living in the Costa del Sol as an expatriate pensioner can have its ups and downs. While the climate and relaxed lifestyle can be appealing, the region can also be quite crowded and expensive in certain areas.

Three of the favorite places for expatriates in the region are Marbella, Benalmadena, and Fuengirola.

Marbella is known for its upscale amenities and is a popular destination for wealthy retirees. The city offers high-end shopping, fine dining, and world-class golf courses. The cost of living can be quite high there.

Benalmadena is located between Malaga and Marbella and offers a more affordable option for expatriate pensioners, and Fuengirola is just 25 minutes from Malaga airport. The town has a long promenade, and beautiful beaches, and the cost of living in Fuengirola can be quite reasonable, making it an attractive option.

The Costa del Azahar: A Forbes-selected Spot 100km Far from Valencia

Population: 406,703
Hospital beds per 1000 inhabitants: 2.1 (Regional data)
Income per capita: €22,289 (Regional data)
Average cost of living for a couple: €1,300-€1,600/month
Average max. temperature in July: 29°C
Average temperature in January: 11°C

The region is known as Costa del Azahar is located on the eastern coast of Spain, and has a relaxed lifestyle with a warm Mediterranean climate.

While not as well-known as the Costa del Sol or the Costa Blanca, it is becoming an increasingly popular destination for retirees seeking a quieter pace of life. A few years ago, the fame of the place was boosted when the magazine Forbes mentioned it among the best places to retire.

Popular areas for expats include Peñiscola, Benicassim, and Castellón, de la Plana.

Peñiscola is a beach town known for its golden sand beaches and medieval castle, Benicassim is a popular resort town, and Castellón de la Plana is a larger city (not in the seaside, but not far either) with a historic center and wide variety of amenities.

Alicante – One of the lowest costs of living.

Due to its low cost of living and a good offer of services, Alicante is also popular among Spanish retirees.

Population: 334,329
Hospital beds per 1000 inhabitants: 2.1 per 1,000 inhabitants (regional data)
Income per capita: €22,289 (regional data)
HDI: 0.889
Cost of living for a couple: €1,791.57 per month.
Average max temperature in July: 30°C
Average temperature in January: 13°C
Cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment in the city center: €564.29 per month.

Benidorm, 45 kilometers from Alicante, the second best place to retire in Spain — Benidorm, 45 kilometers from Alicante, the second-best place to retire in Spain. Image edited by ExpatriateConsultancy.com team using resources from Canva.

Pros of Retiring in Alicante

Low cost of living, making it an affordable option.
Mild winters, making it an ideal location for those who want to retire overseas but have a low tolerance to cold weather.
Gorgeous beaches and outdoor activities such as hiking and golfing, make it easy to enjoy an active lifestyle.

Cons of Retirement in Alicante

During the summer months sometimes temperatures go over 38°C, which can be uncomfortable for some retirees.
Alicante is near some very popular vacation spots like Benidorm. So during the summer, there is a high population density and a large number of tourists, which can lead to crowded streets and difficulty finding peaceful places to relax.
For services not related to tourism, there is limited availability of English-speaking options, which can make it challenging for retirees who do not speak Spanish (that is why you should learn Spanish if you are considering a move).
Occasional water shortages due to the region’s dry climate, which can affect the availability of water for household use.

Talking about Alicante, very close to there is one of the popular places for English-speaking expats that choose Spain to live: Costa Blanca.

Costa Blanca: One of the trendiest retirement spots in Spain

Costa Blanca, on Spain’s southeast coast, has beautiful white sandy beaches, charming coastal towns, and plenty of sunshine. Many British, German, Dutch, and Scandinavian retirees live in this part of Spain, and often locals speak English as a second language.

The cost of living in the Costa Blanca can vary depending on the specific location within the region. For example, one of the most expensive places is Benidorm, which is also very touristy. In general, the larger coastal cities and tourist areas may have a higher cost of living compared to smaller towns and inland areas.

Cons of retiring in the Costa Blanca

Two drawbacks of living in Costa Blanca are that crowded beaches and tourist spots, especially in summer, make it hard to relax, and some areas have limited public transportation, making it difficult for retirees without cars.

Valencia – Likely the Best Place to Retire not only in Spain but Entire of Europe

Population: 794,288
Number of hospital beds per 1000 inhabitants: 2.1 (Comunidad Valenciana)
Income per capita: €22,289 (Comunidad Valenciana)
HDI: 0.944 (Comunidad Valenciana)
Average cost of living for a couple: €1,500 – €2,000 per month
Average max. temperature in July: 29°C
Average temperature in January: 12°C
Cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment in the city center: €650 – €900 per month

Valencia, the Best Place to Retire in Spain — Valencia, the best place to retire in Spain. Image edited by ExpatriateConsultancy.com team using resources from Canva.

If you already saw our ranking of the best cities to retire in Europe, you know that Valencia has far more pros than cons.

Spain’s third largest city is extremely safe (it has a homicide rate of 0.6 murders per 100K residents and lower criminality than the more hyped Barcelona for example).

The living costs in the city are remarkably low when compared to other trendy places in Europe. According to Vivre Valencia, anyone can easily find a house with a swimming pool close to the coast for less than a third of the price of the French Riviera.

But the attractiveness of a city that is considered by many the ideal retirement destination also raised some issues. Expats should be prepared when trying to find a place to live since competition for housing can be intense, and in some areas, prices increased considerably.

Pros of Retirement in Valencia

Valencia is one of the most popular destinations for expatriates in Spain. Foreigners represent almost 13% of the city population, and there are many events for this public.
There is a large English speaking community in the city.
High HDI – The city has a high Human Development Index (0.944), reflecting a high quality of life.
High-quality healthcare infrastructure
Airline and rail connections to other parts of Europe.
With close to 800k residents, Valencia is neither too large nor too small for most people.

Cons of Retirement in Valencia

Competition for housing can be fierce, particularly in popular areas.
Increasingly crowded – As Valencia became more popular, the city can feel crowded, particularly during peak tourist season.

Conclusion: The Best Places to Retire in Spain

Taking into consideration factors like the Human Development Index (HDI), the number of hospital beds per 1000 inhabitants, the average cost of living for a couple, the average cost of housing, and temperatures in July and January, we ranked the best places to retire in Spain:

11 – Madrid

10 – Mallorca

8 – Bilbao and San Sebastián

7 – The Canary Islands

4 – Málaga, Costa del Sol and Costa de Azahar

2 – Alicante and Costa Blanca

1 – Valencia – The Best Place to Retire in Spain

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The 5 Fastest Growing Cities in Europe and Odd…

The Fastest Growing Cities in Europe Have Some Odd Things in Common

What are the common things between cities like Gothenburg in Sweden and Bordeaux in France? Certainly not the weather, or the average wine consumption (the French drink 4 times more of it than the Swedes). Both are, however, among the fastest growing cities in Europe.

There are other remarkable things that put together the Mediterranean French municipality, the 2nd largest city in Sweden, and three other European mid-sized urban areas.

One of them is that all of them are experiencing explosive demographic growth. It doesn’t stop with that: the population increase will likely get even faster during the next few decades.

The Population of European Cities Will Decrease Drastically, But…

…Not Everywhere

According to Eurostat, cities like Athens in Greece or Katowice in Poland may lose up to 40% of their inhabitants, but the fastest growing cities will grow in equal proportion, or even more.

The situation is so drastic that we wrote an entire article about countries with declining populations.

Other capital cities like Paris, London, Rome, Amsterdam, or Berlin will keep their size.

On the other hand…

The incredible growth of the 5 cities we will mention in the next paragraphs is even more impressive when we consider that the European population is heading to a historical shrinkage.

For instance, by 2100, it is expected that Italy’s population will drop to less than 37 million.

This is because Europeans are getting older, and the birth rates are not even close to enough to replace the older generations.

Chart of the Population pyramid of the European Union countries. — Population Pyramid of Eu-27 countries in 2019 and the projection for 2100. Source.

Who Calculated the Numbers For the Fastest-Growing Cities in Europe?

The numbers in this article are from Eurostat, using the baseline projections from December 2022.

So we are using very recent data.

Eurostat is the statistical office of the European Union (EU). Its objective is to provide policymakers, researchers, and the public with high-quality statistical information. Its main job is to collect, organize, and publish statistics about the EU and its member countries. These statistics cover various topics, such as economics, population, the environment, and social issues.

Eurostat’s reputation for producing high-quality and reliable statistical information has made it a trusted source of data for policymakers, researchers, businesses, and the public, both inside and outside the EU.

However…

One thing must be said (and this is a personal opinion):

Socio-economic forecasts for the far future should be seen with a pinch of salt. Often, they are bollocks. I honestly would not take very seriously a projection for 2100.

But it is still interesting to see why these cities have such high numbers forecasted. While the reality in 2100 may deviate drastically from the numbers below, it is clear that there is a trend of explosive demographic growth in each of these cities.

With no further ado, let’s jump to the 5 fastest growing cities in Europe in terms of population size, and what are the weird similarities between them.

The 5 Fastest Growing Cities in Europe

The numbers below refer to the forecast from Eurostat published in December of 2022 on the populational change of European cities in the XXI century.

5th — Bordeaux, France

Total increase forecasted in the number of residents: 523,000

Forecasted population growth rate: 31%

Bordeaux is also one of the best places to retire in Europe.

Bordeaux, France, the 5th fastest growing city in Europe

4th — Toulouse, France

Total increase forecasted in the number of residents: 472,000

Forecasted population growth rate: 33%

Curiosity: despite (or maybe, because of) the high growth, Toulouse has one of the lowest costs per square meter among major cities in France.

Toulouse, France, the 4th fastest growing city in Europe

3rd —Gothenburg, Sweden

Total increase forecasted in the number of residents: 715,000

Forecasted population growth rate: 41%

Gothenburg, Sweden, the 3rd fastest growing city in Europe — Gothenburg, Sweden.

2nd — Stockholm, Sweden

Total increase forecasted in the number of residents: 1,032,000

Forecasted population growth rate: 43%

Stockholm, the Swedish capital city — Stockholm, the Swedish capital.

1st — Malmo, Sweden

Total increase forecasted in the number of residents: 620,000

Forecasted population growth rate: 44%

Curiously, Malmo also figured in two other very polemic rankings, like the one about the most violent city in Sweden, or the list of the most dangerous cities in Europe.

Malmo, the fastest growing city in Europe — Malmo, the fastest-growing city in Europe

Why These Cities Are the Fastest Growing in Europe?

Here are a few reasons that make these cities experience incredible growth when compared to the quickly-fading European population.

If there is something we missed, feel free to tell us in the comment section.

Fertility Rates

The fertility rate is a measure of the number of children that would be born from a woman, on average, over the period of her lifetime. It is based on the age-specific fertility rates observed in a given year.

The total fertility rate (TFR) is calculated by summing up the age-specific fertility rates (ASFRs) for women in a specific area or population and multiplying that sum by the width of the age intervals used to calculate the ASFRs.

This is likely the number 1 factor to explain why the population of these cities will expand so drastically, but not the only one.

It is not a coincidence that all five cities are either in Sweden or France.

These are the two countries with the highest fertility rates in Europe!

As of 2021, these are the fertility rates in the European Union are:

Malta: 1.23
Spain: 1.24
Italy: 1.27
Cyprus: 1.32
Greece: 1.35
Portugal: 1.36
Slovenia: 1.39
Latvia: 1.42
Croatia: 1.43
Lithuania: 1.44
Austria: 1.45
Romania: 1.46
Poland: 1.47
Bulgaria: 1.49
Estonia: 1.50
Czech Republic: 1.52
Slovakia: 1.53
Hungary: 1.53
Germany: 1.54
Luxembourg: 1.54
Finland: 1.57
Belgium: 1.59
Ireland: 1.64
Netherlands: 1.65
Denmark: 1.67
Sweden: 1.76
France: 1.84

So yes, more babies, more people. No mystery so far, until we ask ourselves:

Why the fertility rate is so much higher in France or Sweden?

To answer this question, we should look for another piece of data.

Percentage of the Population With a Foreigner Background

Here is the percentage of the population with a foreign background in the European Union countries, as of 2021:

Average of the EU-27 countries: 10.3% of the population has a foreign background.

By country:

Bulgaria: 2.2%
Romania: 2.5%
Poland: 2.8%
Latvia: 4.5%
Lithuania: 6.2%
Croatia: 6.4%
Portugal: 6.8%
Greece: 7.0%
Estonia: 8.4%
Slovakia: 10.3%
Hungary: 10.8%
Cyprus: 17.4%
Czech Republic: 17.8%
Malta: 18.5%
Austria: 19.0%
Italy: 19.3%
Slovenia: 19.8%
Spain: 21.9%
Belgium: 22.3%
Germany: 25.2%
Finland: 28.5%
France: 31.5%
Denmark: 32.5%
Netherlands: 35.9%
Ireland: 37.2%
Sweden: 40.3%
Luxembourg: 47.1%

How do this data explain the higher fertility rates?

Studies confirmed that immigrant families (and the following generations) have higher fertility rates than local families.

This may be for various reasons, like:

Cultural aspects.
The arrival in a more peaceful and prosperous environment stimulates motherhood.
In some cases, welfare benefits.

Social Housing is abundant in ALL these cities

Here things start to be really curious and even can be useful for public leaders willing to act with success to revert the downward demographic trend of their cities.

All the cities mentioned above have ample and expanding offers of social housing.

This does not mean free housing. This is not what social housing is, at least not in the definition used in most European cities.

Social housing in Europe generally refers to affordable housing that is available to individuals and families with low or moderate incomes, and often to those with other social or health needs as well.

The higher affordability of social housing is due to:

Tax breaks
Housing expansion projects that build a large number of housing units, fullfiling the demand and driving down the price of the real estate market and making it more affordable.
Special subsidies for families.

Few things are more necessary for couples willing to have a kid than the security of a roof over their heads.

Here is the percentage of social housing over the total housing offer in each of the 5 fastest growing cities in Europe:

Bordeaux: approximately 20% of all residential units are social housing, according to data from the French Ministry of Territorial Cohesion and Relations with Local Authorities. This means that 1 in 5 dwellings in Bordeaux is categorized as social housing.
Toulouse: 18% of all residential offer is social housing, according to data from the French Ministry of Territorial Cohesion and Relations with Local Authorities.
Gothenburg has approximately 23% of its residences classified as social housing, according to data from the Swedish National Board of Housing, Building, and Planning.
The city of Stockholm has approximately 22% of its residences defined as social housing, according to the same source from above.
Malmo: the city of Malmö had approximately 24% of its residential units classified as social housing. Almost 1 in 4 dwellings in Malmö are social housing.

Tl;Dr: The Fastest Growing Cities in Europe

While the European Population is expected to decrease and cities like Athens (Greece) or Katowice (Poland) may lose almost 40% of their population, certain parts are predicted to have explosive growth.

The fastest growing cities in Europe in terms of projected population are:

5th — Bordeaux, France

4th — Toulouse, France

3rd — Gothenburg, Sweden

2nd — Stockholm, Sweden (We wrote an exclusive article about violence in Stockholm.)

1st — Malmo, Sweden

The common factors among these European cities are:

All of them are in the countries with the highest fertility rates in Europe (Sweden and France)
A large share of the population with a foreign background
Ample offer of social housing.

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Pros and Cons of Living in France in 2023

From Paris to Toulouse, discover the pros and cons of living in France this year.

In the XXI century, especially in developed nations, more and more people get the opportunity to move to another country throughout their lifetime.

When it comes to choosing the right country to move to, France, the most visited country in the world, is often mentioned. This is especially true among other Europeans (one only knows the enormous British community in places like Bordeaux, which is also one of the best cities in Europe to retire to).

There are always those clichés that attract people to the idea of living in France. Things like:

The existence of a universal healthcare system (which is not always available, see more below). This is one of the factors that makes France one of the best countries for people looking to retire abroad.
Learning french while studying abroad.
Moving abroad for career purposes and working in a country with smaller business hours and good work life balance. To know how to open a business in France, check here.
Just spend time enjoying the mediterranean sea and the French riviera while eating delicious food cooked by french chefs (maybe this is not really a life plan but rather a dream).

Considering you are reading this article, there’s a good chance you are trying to decide whether the pros of moving to France outweigh the cons. If this is the case, this is your lucky day because here we will summarize all the benefits, major positives and negatives that come with living in France from the perspective of a current resident.

For example, one thing that not many people know is that one of the most violent cities in Europe is located in France: Marseille.

So, make sure to bookmark this page, as you will likely find the information here valuable.

8 Pros and Cons of Living in France

Image of Paris for article about the pros and cons of living in France — River Seine.

France is a beautiful country, home to many of the world’s top universities, and there are numerous job opportunities here. These and many other reasons are why people travel to France yearly.

However, it’s important to do your research before deciding to move to France. Therefore, in order to help you make a balanced decision, the pros and cons we’ll be discussing will cover these aspects of life in France:

● Accommodation

● Lifestyle

● Cost Of Living

● Education

1. Accommodation: The Pros and Cons Depend of Where You Live.

Con: While you can have many options when it comes to choosing accommodation, things can get quite expensive. Housing in France isn’t always cheap

In fact, some cities are very expensive, and in these places, even if you do manage to find low-cost housing, it often comes with some drawbacks, such as high crime rate, distance, house age, and other factors.

Paris in this case is a complete outlier, and extremely expensive. For comparison, below you have the average price per square meter of a house in 5 regions in France often aimed by those willing to live in France:

Paris – The average price per square meter is around €10,568.
Nice – The average price per square meter is around €5,898.
Lyon – The average price per square meter is around €5,081.
Nantes – The average price per square meter is around €4,464 (which, despite the low prices, is one of the most violent cities in Western Europe).
Toulouse – The average price per square meter is around €4,027. The cheaper prices may be one of the reasons Toulouse is one of the fastest-growing cities in Europe.

Shocking, right?

The cost of living in Paris is higher than in Berlin, Rome, Madrid, or Warsaw, and slightly smaller than London.

But the same bad news about Paris can also be a piece of good news if we talk about less mainstream cities.

Pro: Some cities are relatively inexpensive. Here are some of them:

Grenoble, a medium-sized city in southern France, very close to the french alps. The average price per square meter is €3,033.
Lille, another medium-sized city close to the border with Belgium. The average price per square meter of a house is €2,953
Le Mans, famous for its 24-hour car race, is also one of the cheapest medium-sized cities in France, with an average square meter price of only €2,247.

Other major pro of living in France is you have many options in terms of accommodation. This is great, especially if you are an international student looking to adjust to the environment.

A tip that can help you adjust faster is giving yourself enough time, which students rarely have enough of due to their academic workload. Essays are the most common assignments that students get, and they can be quite tedious.

If you feel like you need help, consider reading this Grabmyessay review before you decide whether it’s an online writing service you can trust. This website has many more free reviews that teach you how to spot good writing services.

Picture of Paris with the Eiffel Tower in the background — Paris, the river Seine and the Eiffel Tower. Picture by Levi Borba.

2. Pros and Cons of the Lifestyle and Work Life Balance:

Pro: People in France have a decent level of job security and labor laws are stricter than in the US. However, unemployment is a problem in certain regions, so while it is more difficult to be fired, it is also much more difficult to be hired.

There is also the language barrier, which lately is being eased thanks to technology. Even if you had to speak French, many translation tools have made it easy to learn a new language. This has helped tourism and travel but check here for more info if you are interested.

Con: French bureaucracy. Relocating to a big city in France involves a lot of documentation if you aren’t from the European Union. Visa renewals may cause headaches and if you want to be an entrepreneur, prepare to face some red tape.

The french government may not require the same amount of paperwork as countries like Italy if you are from the EU, but for non-EU citizens things are different.

From opening a bank account to filing an income tax, some procedures can be daunting. This can be discouraging for some foreigners. The process of getting your Visa approved can take a while, which forces many to change their travel plans.

Related article: Top European destination from January to June.

3. Cost Of Living in France: Pros and Cons.

Con: The cost of living in France can vary depending on the location and lifestyle, but some of the most expensive aspects of living in France include:

Housing – The cost of renting or buying a property can be very expensive in cities like Paris (see above).

Food – While groceries can be relatively affordable in France, dining out at restaurants can be very expensive, since you have the cost of human labor (waitresses, cooks, etc), which in France is not small. French food that a middle-class, working citizen eats every day at home is not expensive (and nothing like what we know as fancy French cuisine).

Healthcare – If you have access to the public french free healthcare system, this point will not hurt you so much. Bot not everyone living in France has access to it, and therefore you need to pay for private french health insurance, which can be costly.

Transportation – While using public transportation in France is generally reliable and affordable, owning and maintaining a car can be expensive due to high taxes, fuel costs, and insurance. If you want to travel between cities, train is a reliable and relatively cheap mode of public transport.

Education – While public schools in France are free, private schools can be very expensive. If you need bilingual education for your kids, it is difficult to find affordable education unless you are willing to spend a lot on tuition. The language barrier in France is more pronounced in smaller cities and it is extremely recommended to learn French. France is one of the 20 best countries in the world for education.

Taxes – France has many taxes: social security tax, housing tax, income tax, and even a tv tax (also known as audiovisual contribution). They will take a significant part of your income.

Again, these costs can vary depending on the location and lifestyle, but these are some of the most expensive aspects of the cost of living in France.

Pro: All that said, France is still cheaper than countries like Switzerland. If you find a way to reduce the amount you spend on taxes, you may save a considerable amount of money.

4. Education: The Pros and Cons of the French Educational System

Overall, the French public education system has both strengths and weaknesses

Pros:

Quality – The French public education system is generally good. The country ranked in 26th place in the last Pisa Ranking, two spots above Austria for example.
Accessibility – Education is free for all children in France between the ages of 6 and 16, and there is ample coverage of public schools throughout the country.

Cons:

Quality – While still having a decent level, there are reports about the decreasing quality and increasing violence in French schools.
Bureaucracy – The French education system can be quite bureaucratic, with a lot of administrative procedures and paperwork that can be time-consuming and frustrating.
Limited flexibility – The French education system is quite rigid and structured, with little room for students to choose their own courses or pursue their own interests.
Large class sizes – In some areas, particularly in big cities, class sizes can be quite large, which can make it difficult for students to get individualized attention from teachers.
Teacher shortages – There have been shortages of qualified teachers in some areas of France, which can impact the quality of education that students receive. There are also the occurrence of strikes.
Uneven quality – While the education system in France is generally of a high standard, there can be significant differences in quality between different schools, particularly in areas with high levels of poverty.

France has many good schools. If you’re from Canada, you can use IsAccurate to ensure your documents are accurately translated. Also, as France is part of the EU, it is easier to apply for most jobs on the continent.

Conclusion about the Pros and Cons of Living in France

While living in France can feel like a blessing, things aren’t exactly perfect. However, nowhere is at the end of the day. All that’s important is that you consider all the relevant facts before making a decision. Hopefully, this article has helped you do just that.

Author’s Bio

William Fontes is a writer and has spent a considerable portion of his life in Paris, France. While he has traveled the world, France is still a location he considers close to his heart. You’ll find that William also enjoys vlogging about his travel experiences and writing articles such as this one to help fellow travelers make the best decisions on their potential travel and study destinations.

Best Countries Ranking

The Most Beautiful European Capitals in 2023 (And the…

The Most Beautiful Cities in Europe Among Capitals, As Seen Through My Own Eyes

PS: Most of the pictures in this article about the most beautiful capital cities in Europe were taken by me, the author. Since I am not a photographer, they likely don’t do justice to how glorious some places are.

Ps2: Visit also our channel, The Expat

During the last few years, both as part of my job as a hospitality entrepreneur and writer and also as an avid traveler, I visited 22 capital cities in Europe, not counting microstates like the Vatican city (since they don’t have capital cities).

What is Europe’s most beautiful city? is one of the most common questions we get.

Some people say that beauty is difficult to define. I disagree. Beauty is a combination of qualities that please the aesthetic senses.

What is subjective is what each person finds pleasing to their sense of beauty. I once met a guy who considered that black fabric for furniture was better than gobelins or jacquard. He said he was a minimalist, and that is why he preferred plain, dull black. Later on, he revealed that it was not the black that was more beautiful for him, but he preferred it since it was more difficult to spot stains when it got dirty.

So, in this list, you can expect cities that please the senses. At least they pleased mine and all my companies when we visited them.

I am also not evaluating anything else other than the aesthetic criteria. Some of the cities with low scores fare remarkably well in other things, like history-filled Bucharest. All these cities, however, are relatively safe, and none of them figure among the most dangerous cities in Europe.

Each city is rated from 0 to 10. It may be cruel, and if anyone has any point to make, feel free to do so in the comment section.

However, once more: this is not supposed to be an insult, and while some cities may not be the most aesthetic, they have their own qualities.

With no further ado, it’s time to start. Since the article is about the most beautiful cities in Europe from worse to best, we start with the ugliest.

**The LEAST Beautiful Capital City In Europe*: Berlin, Germany**

*The least among the visited ones.

Rating (from 0 to 10): 3

Berlin is ugly. Yes, it has an interesting past; every district is full of history, it has an iconic landmark like the wall, and it is a great place to party if you like electronic music (like I do).

But it is ridiculously ugly. Let’s start with the bizarre TV tower that just looks like a giant toothpick (to not say worse).

Then we see dozens of construction sites and graffiti-covered walls with unexplained characters that try to be edgy but are just an eyesore.

The former communist part still looks like a desolate concrete jungle, and there is a complete lack of harmony with the (still-existent) historical buildings… argh.

Yes, Berlin is not among the prettiest cities in Europe or Germany (Munich is a much more charming city).

I dare to say that Berlin is not even the most beautiful city in Berlin.

Read also: Is Berlin safe in 2023?

20 — Tirana, Albania

Rating: 4.5

While Berlin is ugly despite being the capital of a wealthy country, the same cannot be said about Tirana.

Albania is one of the poorest countries in Europe, and Tirana reflects that. Still, this nation has some lovely cities, like Shkoder, and the people I met there are remarkably friendly.

19 — Bucharest, Romania

Rating: 5

When I visited Bucharest, the tour guide started with this short explanation:

This city used to be beautiful. However, in the 70s there was an earthquake; large parts of the city were destroyed, and the communist dictator who ruled the country decided to rebuild it according to his own taste.

The dictator (Ceaușescu) apparently had a particular taste for urban landscaping. The city has large avenues and is relatively well-planned, but sadly, concretism and brutalism are everywhere.

But Romania does have many gorgeous cities, and I’ve already suggested Brasov for a winter trip in Europe.

18 — Podgorica (Montenegro) and Sofia (Bulgaria)

Rating: 5.5

Both cities have a similar past: communism.

As someone who also lives in a former communist capital, I do recognize that there are some positive points, like the abundance of services always available at a close distance (making cars something completely dispensable).

But the buildings are ugly. As in almost all former communist countries (and for some reason, in Brazil), public buildings and urban planning followed a school of architecture called brutalism.

Brutalism emphasizes the functionality of a building over its aesthetics. This indicates that the function of the building takes precedence over its aesthetics. Practical factors like the building’s function or the materials available frequently are preferred over beauty.

Podgorica however, is a surprisingly interesting destination for the month of January.

16 — Moscow (Russia) and Bratislava (Slovakia)

Rating: 6

Moscow and Bratislava also share a common point: both are aesthetically outclassed by their former sister cities.

Saint Peterburg (the Russian capital until the Bolshevik revolution) and Prague (the capital of Czechoslovakia, the country where Bratislava belonged until 1992) are way more attractive.

It is not that both don’t have their beautiful parts. Moscow has some really beautiful squares, parks, and historical buildings, and the same can be said for Bratislava. But they are just small parts drowning in a much larger brutalist setting that reminds the clichés about eastern Europe (although Bratislava is technically in central Europe).

14 — Warsaw (Poland) and Belgrade (Serbia)

Rating: 6.5

Warsaw has a lovely old town, except that it is not really old but a reconstruction of the former old town that was completely destroyed during World War II. It is still beautiful, and if you are somewhere around, visit it.

Belgrade is the same. Stari Grad is pretty charming (and the street sellers of Rakia during the evenings made it even better). The city was dangerous in the past but the criminal clans are virtually gone. Today, it is one of the most vibrant cities in the Balkans.

The farther you go from the old town square, they are ordinary cities with traffic jams and some cringy post-modernist buildings, like the recently built (and pathetic-looking) Warsaw museum of modern art.

However, for history lovers like me, both cities are remarkable and have really good museums. In 24 hours in Warsaw, you can be shaken by the place’s history.

*Nowy Świat, one of the most iconic streets of Warsaw, with its XIX-century architecture. It is a modern reconstruction since nearly everything was destroyed during World War II.* Picture by the author (Levi Borba)

12 — London (England)

Rating: 6.75

This was likely the most difficult rating for me to give.

From one side, London has splendid historic buildings with beautiful architecture like the Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, and Big Ben. Even the hostel where I stayed there (the Palmers Lodge at the Swiss Cottage) was located in a charming house.

But at the same time, London is a noisy modern city, quite crowded, and has monstrosities like:

The Shard. It is like a giant glass pencil that got stuck in the ground and forgot to sharpen its point. Tall and shiny, like a beacon for birds looking to crash into something.
The Minster Building Some people call it neo-gothic, but I call it silly. It looks too cartoonish, almost as if an architect tried to design an office tower based on the castle of Gargamel from the Smurfs.
The Trellick Tower Despite the fact that England was never under communist rule, somehow they managed to build a brutalist monster that could come from the darkest corners of the USSR.

Somehow, and that is a very subjective impression, I feel that London is the most Americanized of all European capitals, and this is slowly destroying its English atmosphere.

11 — Dublin (Ireland) and Athens (Greece)

Rating: 7

Dublin (which is also one of the cheapest destinations to fly into Europe if you are in America) has numerous examples of Georgian architecture that are very well preserved, as well cobblestone streets that transport you back in time. If it were not for some random post-modern buildings creeping into this scenario, I would give them even more than a 7.

Athens could be much higher. This ancient city has iconic landmarks enough to be one of the most visited tourist destinations in the entire world. The not-so-ancient is also worth a visit, like the many orthodox churches.

But… apparently, years of economic turmoil have taken a heavy toll on the city. Outside of the most famous districts, like Plaka (and the pretty colorful houses), many places look rundown. Athens also got more dangerous, unfortunately.

Check also: the most dangerous city in Europe by country.

9— Budapest (Hungary) and Vilnius (Lithuania)

Rating: 7.5

Budapest has some splendid districts that mix Neoclassical, Gothic, and Baroque architecture, bringing from one side a Habsburg flair influenced by oriental scents — check the thermal baths. The Danube River in the background makes it even more charming.

The Hungarian capital. has one of the most amazing Christmas markets in Europe, in a scenario that fits perfectly the seasonal feeling (and where you can find delicious food).

Vilnius is a hidden gem in the Baltics, a city that I visited almost by accident and loved.

It is an underdog on almost any tourist route and one of the most underrated cities among the capitals of European countries. For this reason, it is also one of the most surprising little capitals you can visit. This lovely city is also very walkable.

7 — Prague (Czech Republic) and Lisbon (Portugal)

Rating: 8

Prague was a disappointment for many reasons for me, from the scammers and excessive number of tourist traps to some “attractions” trying to rip you off all the time (apparently the only things that are really cheap there nowadays are beer and bariatric surgery).

But one cannot deny that this former capital of the Holy Roman Empire is charming with its cobbled streets and medieval architecture. Here are some travel tips for when you visit Europe, including the most visited city in the Czech Republic.

The Prague castle and the St. Vitus cathedral are two must-visit, even if you just see the external parts. The Charles Bridge is another very aesthetic landmark that you can see for free. Finally, Prague is a relatively compact city, with a well preserved old town.

Lisbon didn’t disappoint me, but the opposite.

I didn’t have high expectations, and it surprised me positively with its colorful buildings, well-preserved monuments, the feeling of safety, and harmonic urban arrangement.

I just wish I could spend more time there since I couldn’t yet visit some of the not-so-popular attractions like the Telecabine Lisboa, a cable car with panoramic views over the Tagus river.

As strange as it may sound, if I had to describe one city as tasty, it would be Lisbon.

5 — Paris (France) and Copenhagen (Denmark)

Rating: 8.5

Some context is needed to explain this particular pair in the top 5 of the most beautiful capital cities in Europe. Once on a social media network, someone asked what city was better in Europe: Paris or (secret: this city actually tops our list).

I said that Paris couldn’t compare to this city, even though the French capital does have a lot of lovely buildings, streets, and parks (but the Eiffel tower is overrated). Boulevards like the Champs-Élysées make strolling around one of the most exquisite experiences.

Unfortunately, the city is slowly creeping into certain hypes of questionable taste.

One of these hypes was the so-called high-tech architecture, and the ugly fruit of this in Paris was the Centre Georges Pompidou. It was supposed to look modern, and maybe it looked like that when it was built in the 70s. Nowadays, it is kitsch and completely out of place.

Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris. Image edited by ExpatriateConsultancy.com team using resources from Canva.

Copenhagen, on the other hand, may not have the same heritage or architectural richness as larger European cities, and neither boulevards like Paris. But it is a capital city with the feeling of a smaller, regional town, where you can go by bicycle everywhere.

It is a very balanced city, where life looks simpler (not sure if this is just an impression or reality, since I spent just a short time there).

The 3rd Most Beautiful Capital City in Europe: Valletta (Malta)

Rating: 9

Valletta brought me back in time, and I fell in love with this city as a shipwrecked sailor would in the XVI century.

There is a bit of bias here. Because I love Baroque.

And there is only one other capital in the world (which is next in this ranking) where you can see such an intensity of Baroque masterpieces translated into buildings, winding streets, roofs, quaint cafes, etc. as in the picturesque city of Valletta.

The Maltese capital is quite recent, developed by crusaders during the XVI century (that explains why Baroque is everywhere there) in substitution to Mdina, a medieval old town located in the center of the island.

It is not a surprise that such a beautiful city is a popular retirement destination in Europe. Almost the entire city is a UNESCO world heritage site.

The palaces, alleys, piers, and all other man-made wonders are in a perfect fusion between rich history, the privileged natural landscape, the Mediterranean Sea (not far from Valletta is Mellieha, one of my favorite beach towns in Europe), and the carved coast.

It is a feast for the eyes.

Valletta (Malta),the third place in our list of the most beautiful capital cities in Europe. — Valletta (Malta). Picture by the author (Levi Borba)

The 2 Most Beautiful Capitals in Europe (Surprise?)

More than once, I have been asked what the most beautiful city I have ever visited is.

My answer is always the same: Rome and Vienna.

And as a father, when asked which kid is his favorite, I refuse to say which one is better, for the same reason the father would:

They are thoroughly different cities, and both are majestic in their own way.

Rome, the eternal city, is the triumph of the human will and of the aspirations that nourish and move our spirit.

Many of Rome’s details, from a distance, look just like marble and stone, but the grandeur of the whole is breathtaking. Rome gets crowded, however, and that is why I recommend visiting it in November.

And this grandeur crosses millennia, from the Castel Sant’Angelo, built over the foundations of the Mausoleum of Hadrian, a construction of almost two thousand years…

Castel Sant’Angelo (former Mausoleum of Hadrian), and the river Tiber in Rome. Picture by the author (Levi Borba).

Or modern buildings, like the Altare della Patria, a monument finished at the beginning of the XX century.

Altare della Patria, also known as Victor Emmanuel II Monument, in Rome, one of the two most beautiful capital cities in Europe — *Altare della Patria*, also known as Victor Emmanuel II Monument, in Rome. Picture by the author (Levi Borba).

On the other side, Vienna is a hymn to man’s ability to create beauty in every inch, word, brushstroke, and musical note.

Vienna is the beauty of details and of good taste. A refined beauty, baroque-rococo, that brings a bit of the divine even in the most trivial constructions

The Habsburgs and their architects, who projected the city, didn’t create buildings only for their functionality.

It needed to be breathtaking in every detail of its Renaissance architecture, almost as if whoever projected these structures, parks, and streets wanted to play a game of “how many jaws can we drop in a day?” at every single building, no matter their purpose.

I could write about well-known top attractions like the Schönbrunn Palace, but Vienna is so much more than that.

This, for example, is their national library.

Austrian National Library. Picture by the author (Levi Borba)

Someone could still say, “So what? It is just some nice wooden shelves and a statue. Not very impressive.”

Then I would tell him to look up, at the ceiling.

Ceiling of Austrian National Library in Vienna — The ceiling of the Austrian National Library. Picture by the author (Levi Borba)

Not far from the library, we passed in front of a cinema. It looked better than the presidential palace of my home country.

Cinema building in Vienna. Picture by the author (Levi Borba)

In the evening, my wife and I decided to have a coffee. A typical Viennese coffee, so we choose a nearby cafe.

I chose a random place that does not even figure in any ranking I saw about the best cafés in Vienna.

Then we entered it, and…

It was simply the most spectacular coffeehouse I have ever been to. The picture doesn’t do justice to how sumptuous the interiors looked. And contrary to general belief, the waiter was friendly and polite.

The name of the cafe is Gerstner K. U. K. Hofzuckerbäcker.

Cafe Gerstner K. U. K. Hofzuckerbäcker. in Vienna. Picture by the author (Levi Borba)

Seeing how the Austrians of the 18th and 19th centuries managed to create beauty in even the most ordinary places, I can understand the effusiveness of one of my favorite composers, the Viennese Johann Strauss II.

Every step I walked felt like a note from the Blue Danube, every corner I turned, it was like a section from the Frühlingsstimmen. Perfection.

Statue of Strauss in Vienna, one of the two most beautiful capital cities in Europe — Monument of Johann Strauss II in Vienna’s Stadtpark. Picture by the author (Levi Borba)

If you enjoyed this article about the most beautiful capital cities in Europe, here are a few other travel tips and reading suggestions for you:

The 7 Countries With The Worst Work-Life Balance in The OECD

The Best Cities for Remote Workers in 2023

The Mind-Blowing Tourist Scams You Can Find in Europe

City and Safety Guides

The Mind-Blowing Tourist Scams You Can Find in Europe in…

From bird drops to lucky eyes, there are some very creative tourist scams in Europe

After visiting over 30 countries in the entire Europe, I witnessed natural and human beauties that will never be erased from my memories. But I also saw some very creative tourist scams and all sorts of people trying to take advantage of travelers that came to visit a new country on this splendid continent.

People that, in their greed of separating innocent tourists from their valuables, developed travel scam methods so creative that one would stand up and clap for their talent — if, obviously, they were not the criminals they are.

I am not talking about obvious things like taxi scams or taxi cab drivers taking the long way to your destination… no, no, no. I am talking about real scam artists. People that could teach at the recently discovered Scam University in Brazil.

In the next paragraphs, you will discover a selection of tourist scams used by con artists all over Europe, from London to Athens, from Lisbon to Moscow.

Be aware that as scary as some of these scams may look, Europe is still a very safe place, especially when you compare it with Mexico’s violence rates, for example.

Since we are talking about scams and criminal methods, check later our article about the creative methods used by Brazilian criminals.

The Pigeon Drop Scam (Popular Scam in Spain Also Known as Fake Bird Poop)

Image of Athens, Greece, a place where tourist scams use the distraction of the fake bird poop. — Athens has plenty of birds in some squares, so scammers have the perfect excuse.

Scam Location: Athens (Greece) and large cities in Spain, but also happens anywhere with lots of pigeons around.

Athens is a place prolific for scammers. From the shady types walking around Omonia to the common scams targeting tourists in places like Syntagma square. My family fell victim to criminals there two times in a matter of days, and I wrote an entire article about safety in Athens.

Likely the pigeon drop scam is not particular only to Athens, but happens in other places where you have the presence of these birds (or similar ones, like seagulls). There is another type of scam called Pigeon Drop, so it is important to not confuse both.

How the Fake Bird Poop Scam Works:

Imagine that you are calmly strolling across Syntagma square in Athens or in La Rambla in Barcelona, minding your own business.

Suddenly, you feel something drops in your hair, shoulder or back. It is some white, sticky, disgusting thing that looks like bird poop.

Almost at the same time, an innocent looking person picks her tissue and helps you to clean the mess, while cursing those damned birds.

This is all a distraction for this person or someone nearby to steal your wallet.

This is one of the many distractions used by pickpockets. My father had his cell phone stolen when pickpockets (a group of kids) dropped close to him a cup of soda. To avoid travel scams that use distractions, it is important to be extremely wary of your surroundings if you are in a crowded place in a foreign country. Another option is to use a money belt.

The Lucky Eye Scam

Just like in the previous example, you are again walking in a touristy area, but this time in London. Suddenly, someone comes closer to you and tricks you into thinking that they are some sort of fortune teller or wizard, and they say that you have a lucky eye and they can tell you how you can use this gift to reach fortune, love, etc.

They either do that to lure you and:

Demand money for their advice, or
Sell you one necklace with a “charm” that just looks like an eye, or
Just use this as a distraction to pickpocket your wallet or cellphone.

The High Fashion Scam

Center of Milan. Italy is known for its culture, beauty, and history, but is Is Milan safe... — Fashion capitals like Milan are the spot for a very peculiar type of tourist scam.

This is a scam that happens in fashion capitals like Paris, New York, London, and Milan.

While taking pictures or visiting a place packed with tourists, you are approached by an elegantly dressed man that politely asks for a minute of your time.

He then proceeds to explain that he is a shop owner in another place and just attended some important fashion fair or show, but then his credit card got blocked or he lost his money. Now he needs to sell his high-quality luxury products to go back home.

He explains that all the things are original and he is selling them way below the fair price or the cost he paid just to raise some money to pay his expenses.

Sounds too good to be true? Because it is, and the products are fake.

The Bracelet Scam

Scam Location: I saw it in Milan (more about it here), but in Italy, it is among the most common travel scams.

There are many variations of the ever-present (and very annoying) bracelet scam.

The friendship bracelet (which is often offered for pairs of tourists, scamming two people at once).
The African bracelet of good luck.
The bracelet from a hidden tribe in the Amazon.

All of them have a thing in common: street sellers will call you calmly and politely. They will tell you that this bracelet looks good on you (or on your new friend there), and ask if you can just try it, until they convince, between smiles and little jokes, you to give it a try.

Suddenly, they will demand money, sometimes even aggressively. To avoid problems (often the sellers are not alone), people just give them whatever they ask.

To avoid this, simply walk away from any pushy vendor.

The Rickshaw Tourist Scams in London (or Tuk Tuk Drivers Scammers)

the cost of living in London — Not all rickshaw drivers in London are scammers, but there are reported cases.

Reported location of the tourist scams: I was a victim of it in London, but I guess it is also common in other places.

Anyone that lives in London for some time already knows the common travel scams
involving tourists being ripped off by the local pedicab (or rickshaw) drivers. Rickshaws are similar to tuk tuks, but the first is moved by pedals while the second is motorized.

This is exactly what happened to me during my very first trip to Europe, 12 years ago. I took a rickshaw for a very short distance and he charged me multiple times what a taxi driver would charge.

I thought the problem was solved, but recently there were multiple reports of overpriced tuk tuk tours as well as rickshaw drivers charging tourists £1000 for a 10-minute trip.

The Picture Scam

Reported location of the tourist scams: I saw it in Rome, but it is common in multiple touristy areas.

I wrote more about this scam in my article The Most Stupid Thing You Can Do in 5 European Capitals.

Here is how it works: in some popular places in Rome like the Coliseum you will find people dressed as gladiators, emperors, etc. Kids (and sometimes adults) are often attracted to taking pictures with them.

They will initially be cordial and even smile for your photo. After that, they will charge you a payment, and if you do not pay, things may turn aggressive. If you call the closest police officers, likely the cops will take the side of the street artists in this case — after all, you were the one that requested to take a photo with them.

Another article that you may find useful if you are traveling to Rome (in my opinion, the most spectacular city on earth) is this one: Her Wallet Was Stolen in Rome For Doing a Little Mistake.

The Hooker Scam (Or the Strip Club Scam)

Amsterdam - Imagem de Iulian Ursache por Pixabay — No surprise that some infamous tourist scams happen in Amsterdam.

Reported location of the tourist scams: as you may guess, close to red light districts.

I will not spend a lot of words explaining this one, primarily because I was never a victim of that, but as a hostel owner, I heard backpackers tell their stories about getting scammed in red-light districts like the one in Amsterdam or in strip clubs in Warsaw.

In Amsterdam’s red light district, scamming is so rampant that you can find some really curious stories on their Tripadvisor page. Things like girls charging $50 just to walk inside a suit.

In Poland, often the scam involves strip clubs spiking drinks (the free beer they offer) with chemicals that numb customers and make them use their credit cards to pay huge amounts for nothing or to just give their credit card details during a dance. Recently there was a scandal involving US soldiers.

Fake Charity Petitions

Fake charity petitions are a great way to get you to sign a petition by playing on your emotions and convincing you that a cause is important.

Often, this is just another distraction. Although it doesn’t sound too sophisticated when compared to the previous examples, this is a fantastic opportunity for a pickpocket disguised as a friendly local to attack.

Travel Agent Scams

In many popular cities, you will find travel agents or local offices offering cheap tours, train tickets, or even skip-the-line entrances to crowded or sold attractions (too good to be true things). Local taxi drivers often advertise these travel agents to their customers, because they receive a commission.

Not rarely, unfortunately, it is a scam, and you will just realize that your ticket is fake or expired by the time you are trying to enter the attraction (or they sold you a boat tour and at the place there are no boats). That is why when traveling to different cities and buying tours, I prefer to check their reputation using Viator.

The Money Exchange Scam

Reported location of the tourist scams: I witnessed it in Prague, Czech Republic.

Prague disappointed me, and that was only one of the reasons. There still happens one of these common travel scams that targets people who prefer to use cash (like me) instead of a debit card.

Never (and I mean never) change cash on the street, especially in touristy areas like the area around the Old Clock. If someone approaches you in front of an exchange office and offers you a better rate, you can be sure that you are being scammed. You won’t be able to get Czech money very often. You’ll end up with some Eastern European money, which won’t do you much good here.

Use an ATM if you require Czech currency (which you will since the Euro is not recognized as legal tender here).

Always ask the exchange office how much you’ll get for your money when you see one (and there are many of them everywhere). You may be duped into believing you are getting a good deal by many exchange offices. You might be shocked when you sign the bill and only get half of what you anticipated. Please be advised that once you sign the bill, you are indicating your acceptance of the offer and cannot request a refund.

The Fake Police Officer Scam

(There is also another version, the Fake Ticket Inspector Scam)

Tram in Lisbon, to illustrate article about Is Lisbon safe. — Trams and Buses are some of the favorite areas for the fake ticket inspector scam.

Reported location of the tourist scams: There are reports of this scam in Vienna.

In many European cities, you enter the public transport system without physical barriers that demand you to insert a ticket. Therefore, the public authorities often hire ticket inspectors to randomly check if passengers have valid tickets. If they don’t, they are fined and can pay it (with a discount) on the spot.

Knowing that often tourists are confused by how the ticketing system works, fake inspectors (sometimes even with very realistic fake uniforms) make regular checks in train stations, trams, and buses in large cities to fine unwary people.

The best way to avoid that is to have a valid ticket, and if the fake inspector tries to confuse you, ask for the assistance of the local people to verify if your ticket is valid.

I got scammed on the street, what should I do now?

You don’t need to be in the most dangerous cities in Europe to be a victim of scam artists.

What you should do if you are a victim of a tourist scam?

A) Shout loud your anger out on your social media accounts, or

B) Find the closest police office

While often we see people choosing A, the most efficient way to recover at least part of your losses is to call the alternative B (call the police). Some countries have a special division of their police forces focused on helping tourists. After that, it is fine to vent your dissatisfaction online :).

One thing that could not be understated is the importance of travel insurance. Especially when traveling to areas that have higher risks or exposing yourself to some situations, find a reliable travel insurance provider (since there are also plenty of travel insurance scams). I recommend EKTA, which has great coverage and very affordable prices (likely among the cheapest for Europe).

To avoid scammers from separating you from your hand luggage, a good idea is to hire a temporary storage facility while you visit the city. Radical Storage has storage facilities in central areas all over Europe and very good prices.

To avoid fake travel agents selling you fake tours and train tickets, I recommend purchasing tours using Viator and train tickets using Trainline.

Lastly, to avoid the unfortunate cases of scammers disguised as taxi drivers, something very common in airports, I prefer to schedule my airport transfers in advance using GetTransfer. They will compare multiple options and give you the cheapest and most reliable one.

The Expat Consultancy Safety Guides

My team wrote some guides to help you keep safe, avoid tourist scams, choose the best districts, and avoid the worst neighborhoods. Here are some of them:

Athens, Greece
Belgrade, Serbia
Berlin, Germany
Munich, Germany
Copenhagen, Denmark
Dublin, Ireland
Edinburgh, Scotland
Glasgow, Scotland
Lisbon, Portugal
Madrid, Spain (We also wrote a guide with tips on immigrating to Spain)
Manchester, England
Milan, Italy
Rome, Italy

If you enjoyed this article about travel scams, here are a few other travel tips and reading suggestions for you:

The 7 Countries With The Worst Work-Life Balance in The OECD

The Best Cities for Remote Workers in 2023

Expats

Study Abroad in Poland: An Increasingly Popular Idea

An external author wrote this article about international students planning to study abroad in Poland. No statement made below should be interpreted as representing expatriateconsultancy.com‘s views or recommendations.

Poland is a beautiful country that will instantly impress you with its European atmosphere allied with really, really affordable costs (especially when you compare it with other countries in Central Europe). They are also famous for their idiom: the Polish language is remarkably difficult (but later in this article we will explain why you should not worry much about it).

In the last two decades, Poland also experienced extraordinary growth, to the point that many Polish citizens are returning to their homeland after emigrating to other countries.

Check also: Must-Read Books About Expatriation and Life Abroad.

There are a few other articles that you should read after this one if you are planning to study abroad and be part of the community of international students in Poland:

Here we invite you to explore the main polish urban centers and discover what is the best city and place to live in Poland.
While the cost of living in Poland is relatively low when compared to the rest of the European Union, there are some things that are expensive there. In this article, you will discover them. There is also a complete guide about the cost of living in Warsaw.
What is the average salary for young people? Here we tell you that and much more.
And a curiosity: Poland has one of the most beautiful gardens in Europe.

The Polish Education System

The Polish education system, especially at the elementary and high school levels, is among the best in the world. But the country has also plenty of high-quality universities with courses in foreign languages like English. An added benefit is that these universities are often located in cities with a large student population.

Some examples of major universities are:

The Jagiellonian University in Krakow (the oldest university in the country and considered by many the best university in Poland)
The University of Warsaw
The Wroclaw University
The Gdańsk University of Technology

Since Poland has always strived for innovation but always remained true to its identity and values, education in Poland is second to none.

There are strict rules, adherence to the highest standards, and in-depth research that even a foreign student will have to do! As the practice shows, it always pays off as you are also getting access to the country’s best laboratories, amazing cuisine, governmental support, affordable prices, and accommodation.

Why is Poland Popular Among Students?

Affordable European Diploma

The main reason for its popularity is a unique chance to get enrolled in one of the best European universities and study by using English. There are many guest lecturers and native speakers who will provide you with materials that will match all the academic credits required.

Of course, basic knowledge of Polish will help you a great deal, and many universities offer language support free of charge. If English is not your first language, however, you can use an essay writer service to get your grammar fixed. It is also possible to ask an expert to proofread your writing and fix structure and logic mistakes before you submit your writing!

Even Warsaw, the capital city which is by far the most expensive Polish city, is cheaper than other major European cities and 59% less expensive than London.

There is a reason Poland is among the best countries in the world for medical studies and for general education.

Costs, Accommodation, and Logistics

Studying in Poland is also much cheaper as students can find amazing boarding and private accommodation options. You can search both the local ads or consider university boarding options (always good!).

The presence of affordable and almost free transportation (student ticket discounts) also makes it easier to travel for those who want to visit Germany or any other European country. It makes it possible to save funds both locally as you study.

If you add fantastic cuisine and the presence of affordable shops for clothes and accessories, you will see why Poland is so popular among students.

Low costs also turned Krakow, the city with one of the most beautiful medieval towns in Europe, a favorite among remote workers and digital nomads.

Two curious facts: Poland is also the best country to visit in Europe during autumn and has one the cheapest Uber rates in Europe.

Friendly Student Community

If you ask an average foreign student in Poland about what impresses them the most, you will instantly hear about the friendliness and attitude in the university community. The locals are truly one of the most caring personalities who will always help you out, often free of charge. It’s a natural part of Polish culture.

In case you get into some conflicts, it will be mostly because of the language barrier. Feel free to approach Thewordpoint as a solution if you need to translate something or have trouble with your academic transitions or any other documents. Turning to a professional always helps.

Some cities like Gdansk or Gdynia are the best polish cities for international students in this aspect.

High Educational Standards

Many foreign students consider Poland a great place to study because of its high educational requirements. While it may be much easier to enroll in a Polish university, the demands you will have to meet will be up to the latest standards.

Poland is one of the countries with the highest number of libraries per capita, something that impacted positively in the national higher education standards.

The best part is that you will always receive sufficient support as the professors are much easier to approach and talk to compared to the UK or the United States. Speaking of the curriculum content, many foreign students report that Polish educators actually take time to add additional data and case study assignments to help the students gain some practical experience as well.

Check also: 4 Polish Productivity-Increasing Habits To Adopt in 2023

Future Career and Employment Prospects

Poland is also popular because many of the world’s top companies in various fields have their respective branches here. It means that you can get employment as a student or consider amazing internship options.

Speaking of job vacancies, you will receive way more chances than elsewhere. Reading the news, you will be able to adjust your CV and focus on various aspects of your personality to impress the companies or organizations in question. It is also a great place to start your career growth by participating in various European community projects.

Showing Respect is Essential

As a foreign student in Poland, you should remember that the locals will always walk the extra mile for you, yet they will not tolerate the lack of respect for their religious beliefs, traditions, and customs.

It is an important point you must remember as you enroll! As a European country with a complex history, the people in Poland stand for what they believe in, yet they won’t force it on you. While they may not complain or start a fight when they encounter a lack of respect, they will form an impression about you that will help you not only in the social environment but also in the academic field.

If you enjoyed this article about study abroad in Poland, here are a few other reading suggestions for you:

What to Do in Warsaw in 1 Day

3 Cheap European Cities to Visit in Winter (And 1 to Avoid)

Our World Guide of Best Places to Expatriate

Writer Bio

William Fontes is constantly exploring the world and the most efficient ways to help students succeed. As an educator and technology specialist, he seeks solutions and happily shares them in writing. Follow William to expand your academic horizons and make your studies inspiring.

Living Costs

Retire to the Netherlands – What You Must Know…

The Pros, Cons, Costs, and Prerequisites to Retire to the Netherlands

If you like picture-perfect towns and cities filled with stunning architecture, bicycle-friendly roads, and great food, then the Netherlands may be the best place to choose as your retirement country.

It may be a small country, but the Netherlands has plenty of wonderful and unique things that make it such a fantastic place to live. From the gorgeous canals of Amsterdam to the breathtaking tulip fields filling the countryside with color, and the fantastic cafe culture of the cities – it’s a vibrant and fascinating place to live.

Explore the art and architecture that it has become known for, try out plenty of foodie delights, and cafe-hop to your heart’s content. The Netherlands is a country for dreamers, romantics, and that slow pace of life. Perfect for those lazy retirement years!

Our consultancy’s team wrote this article about this popular retirement destination after similar pieces about other places, such as:

Living in the Netherlands: Pros and Cons

Image of Netherlands for section about living in netherlands pros and cons — What are the pros and cons of living and retiring in the Netherlands?

Offering beautiful cities and towns, a high standard of living, and an abundance of culture, there are so many reasons why you should choose the Netherlands as your retirement country.

Here are some of the reasons why:

Pros of Retiring in the Netherlands

High Standard of Living

The Netherlands is consistently voted one of the best places to live in the world, and the Dutch people are some of the happiest people too. The World Happiness Report, which is released every year, looks at several factors such as levels of income, life expectancy, social support, environment, and others – and the Netherlands has been voted one of the top 5 countries for a decade.

Alongside social factors, there is also the fact that it is one of the most beautiful places in the world to live. With gorgeous towns and cities, a yearly tulip festival to enjoy, and those iconic windmills dotting the landscape, it will be a feast for the eyes every time you step outside.

Another reason that makes the Netherlands a fantastic place to retire to is the moderate climate which provides cold winters with snow, but hot summers to enjoy many outdoor pursuits and soak up the cities.

Healthcare System

The public healthcare system in the Netherlands is one of the best in the world. However, healthcare in the Netherlands is not free, and you will need to purchase private healthcare insurance to cover this. Healthcare, particularly in later life, is important when deciding where to live, and a world-renowned healthcare system is a great reason to choose the country.

Although healthcare in the Netherlands is not free, if you are retiring from the United States, you will find that basic health insurance is much more affordable than in the U.S., which is another great reason to retire here.

Culture and Lifestyle

One of the best things about the Netherlands is its fantastic, vibrant culture. With museums, art galleries, architecture, and thousands of brilliant cafes (with outdoor space) to enjoy – you definitely won’t get bored.

There are plenty of festivals throughout the year to take part in, lots of world-famous artists to learn about, and gorgeous Dutch towns to explore. As the country is so small, it’s so easy to explore the Netherlands by train or bus, or bike!

There is a huge emphasis on sustainability and a more eco-friendly way of life in the Netherlands. Cycling is a massive part of the culture here, and cities such as Amsterdam encourage people to explore on a bike or even on foot. It’s a great way to stay healthy, keep transport costs down, and enjoy the authentic Dutch style of living.

The Cons of Retiring in The Netherlands

Image of dutch city and a channel to illustrate section about the Cons To Retire And Live In The Netherlands — In the next paragraphs, some cons of living in the Netherlands (the first point is probably the most important).

There are so many reasons to choose the Netherlands as your retirement years country, but of course, there are several cons to retiring there.

Here are a few things to consider when choosing the Netherlands to retire in:

High Cost of Living and Taxes

The Netherlands is one of Europe’s most expensive places to live with a significantly high cost of living than other European countries.

Taxes in particular are notoriously high in the Netherlands, and it may be difficult to purchase a house due to high taxes, high property rates, and a lack of housing to the demand. There is currently a housing crisis happening within the country and it may take time to find the perfect property if you are considering buying.

Bureaucracy (If you are a non-EU citizen)

An element of your application to the Dutch immigration agency is to explain why you want to relocate to the Netherlands. But retirement isn’t one of the choices presented. As a result, you may want to consult with the Dutch consulate in your current country to learn the precise requirements before making the move.

You also need to present evidence to the Dutch immigration service that your income (pension, dividends from retirement savings, etc), is above the Dutch minimum wage.

If you are a citizen from any European Union country, then the bureaucracy is much smaller.

Language Barrier

Although English is widely spoken and most Dutch people can speak English, it will be essential to learn some Dutch to get by in the Netherlands fully.

Many essential tasks such as form-filling, grocery shopping, and announcements when using public transport, will be in Dutch, and it will make life far easier if you can understand, read, and speak some of the local anguage.

This may be something to consider when you are choosing the Netherlands as the country to retire in, as language learning takes time and you might not feel completely at home without understanding some of the language used.

The Climate

The Netherlands has a moderate climate with warm, enjoyable summers, and cold winters, and there can be a lot of rainfall during the winter months. This may be something to consider if you are not a huge fan of cold, and rainy days.

A lot of people who are considering retiring to a new country look for places that have consistently warm climates to fully enjoy those golden years. The Netherlands has seasonal weather that isn’t always enjoyable for some.

Snow, rain, and generally grey days are part of the package here, so do bear this in mind as the weather can have a huge impact on the mood and general well-being of a person.

Cost To Retire and Live in the Netherlands

Image of the flag of the Netherlands and a dollar sign. — What are the costs of living to retire to the Netherlands? The answer is below.

Living in the Netherlands can be a costly experience. The country has a high cost of living for certain things such as housing and taxes, however, it will all depend on where you are moving from, and the area in which you will choose to live.

There is a housing crisis currently taking place in the Netherlands, with house prices soaring and the supply of housing low. It may be expensive to purchase a property, and even renting can be difficult, especially in larger cities. The average cost of renting a property is around €1,190 a month for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre.

Parking in the Netherlands is particularly expensive. It has one of the highest parking rates in the world with an average cost of around $15 for two hours. There is a limited supply of parking space in the towns and cities here which has bumped up the price. You may need to consider the importance of owning a vehicle here.

If you are moving from the United States then you will find that the cost of living in the Netherlands is lower than in the U.S., with average costs around 20% less compared to the United States.

Cost of Living in The Hague (Netherlands) vs Valência (Spain) and Tampa (the USA)

It’s time for a comparison of the cost of living in the Netherlands. I will not compare the living costs with those of New York or London, because nearly anywhere in the world is cheaper than those two cities.

Let’s compare the cost of living in a mid-sized Dutch city (The Hague) with the best city for retirement in Europe (Valencia, Spain) and one of the favorite cities for pensioners in the USA (Tampa, Florida).

All prices are from Numbeo and Expatistan, two websites that crowdsource prices and living costs from thousands of users and contributors. Be aware that other major cities like Amsterdam may be more expensive than The Hague, but also smaller cities tend to be cheaper.

Values in USD	Hague	Valencia	Tampa
Meal for 1 Person, Inexpensive Restaurant	13.45	11.59	21
Domestic Beer (0.5-liter draught) in a Supermarket	1.19	2.9	1.57
Eggs (regular) (12)	3.16	1.98	3.29
Chicken Fillets (1kg)	8.69	6.4	11.24
Gasoline (1 liter)	2.23	1.56	1.2
Utilities (Electricity, Water, Garbage, etc.) for 85m2 Apartment, monthly	208.62	128.6	182.51
Internet (60 Mbps or More)	43.08	31.88	63.85
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat	13.45	7	14
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes)	39	73	98
Standard men’s haircut in an expat area of the city	24.9	20	23
Rent of an apartment (1 bedroom)	1141.75	720.77	2,035.75
Price per Square Meter to Buy an Apartment	3,671.83	2,999.91	4,635.63

Cost of different items in the Hague (the Netherlands), Valencia (Spain), and Tampa (Florida, the USA).

How To Move to the Netherlands From the US

Retiring in the Netherlands can be a difficult process. There is no specific retirement visa in the country.

The easiest straightforward process is to first go for a MVV (provisional residence permit). The MVV allows you to stay more than 90 days in the country, and during this period, consult with a good Dutch immigration lawyer

For American citizens, there is an opportunity to move to the Netherlands with a DAFT visa. This visa allows self employed businessmen and entrepreneurs to obtain a residence permit as long as they invest in the Dutch economy.

If you are not self employed, you need to have a job. For retirees looking to spend their golden years enjoying relaxing downtime, this might be out of the question. But for some, heading into a new career might be the answer to gaining that permanent residence, especially if you have your heart set on living in the Netherlands.

To move to the Netherlands from the US, you will need to have a valid passport, proof of health insurance, proof of sufficient pension funds or a pension income to support you whilst you live there, a residence permit application form, a clean criminal record, birth certificate, and appendix antecedents certificate.

Best Places To Retire in the Netherlands

The Hague

There is a big international community here with many english speaking expats, so you will be sure to find friends. It is also close to many beaches, so those beach lovers at heart will love living in proximity to the sea.

Three reasons why The Hague is a great place to retire:

• The big international community – you will feel at home

• Safe city to live in – low/very low crime levels across all crimes

• High standard of living – lots of outdoor space to enjoy.

Rent can be higher here than in other parts of the country though, so this may be unaffordable for those on a budget. The average cost of living in The Hague is between €845-€2967 a month.

Haarlem

A small city with a quaint, country feel, this is country living at its best. Outdoor lovers will be delighted to explore the countryside, the forest, and the water of course. Immerse yourself in authentic Dutch culture by attending the monthly fairs, and getting accustomed to the community and its members.

Three reasons why Haarlem is a great place to retire:

• Safe city to live in – low/very low levels for almost all crimes

• Small, country-feel living – high standard of living

• Plenty of renting options are available if you aren’t on a budget

Rent and house prices are significantly higher here than in other parts of the country due to the place’s popularity and charm. The average cost of living in Haarlem is between €999-€3,665 a month.

Groningen

The biggest of the northern Dutch cities, Groningen has lots on offer and is one of the cheapest places to live. The city has a big student population so things here tend to be a little more affordable.

There’s a huge calendar of festivals and events and plenty of waterside living complete with cafe-hopping and people-watching. Settle into this young and vibrant city, and spend your days visiting museums and tasting local dishes.

Three reasons why Groningen is a great place to retire:

• Affordable place to live compared to other cities in the country

• Safe city to live in – mostly low/very low levels of crime

• Vibrant, buzzing city – lots to do during retirement years

The average cost of living in Groningen is between €924-€3,271 a month.

As shown, the Netherlands is a great retirement destination. The fantastic culture, beautiful cities, and inviting people will convince you to retire here. Get on your bike and enjoy this lovely country.

If you enjoyed this article about how to retire in the Netherlands, here are a few other reading suggestions for you:

Our World Guide of Best Places to Expatriate

The Best Cities for Remote Workers This Year

The Easiest Countries to Adopt From – A Guide.

Subscribe (for free) to receive my articles directly in your inbox and receive a special gift. If you enjoy this article, please consider becoming a Medium member by using this link and have access to premium, unbiased content from authors not tied to big media.

Levi Borba is the founder of The Expatriate Consultancy, creator of the channel The Expat, and best-selling author. Some of the links of this article may be affiliate links, meaning that the author will have a commission for any transaction.

Expats

Retire to Finland – Pros, Cons, and How Much

Living Costs, Best Places, and What You Need to Know When Planning to Retire to Finland

So, you’re pondering both retirement and a serious change of scenery – here’s a thought…why not retire to Finland?

Finland is a Nordic northern European country that borders Sweden, Russia, Norway, and Estonia and has a heartwarming claim to fame – it’s been rated as “the world’s happiest country” several years in a row.

And it’s ranked 2nd highest in the world on the Social Progress Index.

The nation has approximately 5.5 million inhabitants – 1.2 million of whom reside in its capital city Helsinki and its surrounding metropolitan area. And as for languages? There are two official tongues – Finnish and Swedish.

Our consultancy’s team wrote this article after reading similar pieces about other hot retirement destinations, such as:

Bali (Indonesia)
The Dominican Republic
Nicaragua
Jamaica
Argentina
Peru
Italy
Switzerland
Netherlands
And, if you are looking for a sunnier European country, check the best places to retire in Spain.

Want to know more about why you should retire to Finland? Read on!

City in Finland and the illustration of a scale. — In the next paragraphs, discover how good Finland is as a place for retirement.

Is Finland a Good Place to Retire?

There’s a whole heap of things to consider when picking a place to spend your golden years. But a stable country with a robust economic backbone is a must if you’re looking for peace of mind as part of a long and happy retirement.

Here, you’ll discover all the boxes that Finland checks in these areas.

Living in Finland: Pros and Cons

Pros of Retirement in Finland

English is widely spoken in Finland

If you’re migrating to Finland from the U.S., this could be a dealbreaker because Finnish is a complicated language to learn if you are used to speak English.

Luckily, English is spoken by around 70% of the population – and when you consider that there’s even been talk of declaring Helsinki an English-speaking city, you shouldn’t have much trouble making yourself understood in this foreigner-friendly country.

Still, we recommend that anyone willing to live in Finland for a longer period should try to learn Finnish. It is a difficult language, that is true, but also a good brain exercise.

The Finnish Healthcare system is Really Good

This is a huge one for anyone relocating to a new country. The high-quality, publicly funded Finnish healthcare system is available to all permanent residents.

After four months in Finland, you must sign up for national health insurance to use the public Finnish healthcare benefits and medical services. After registering, a Kela card is given. As an ex-pat, it’s important to have private health insurance because public health care can sometimes be slow. The healthcare system in Finland is one of the best in Europe. It helps people get medical care and builds long-term relationships between doctors and their patients.

Although it doesn’t kick in until after you’ve been living in the country for over 4 months, it’ll pay dividends for the vast majority of your retirement.

Private healthcare is also available in urban areas for prices way cheaper than in the US.

After: Private healthcare is also available in urban areas for prices way cheaper than in the US. This is one of the most important pros of living in Finland and there is no doubt about it.

Excellent Public Transport

Due to the excellent publicly-funded transportation system, only 60% of Finnish families own a car. You’ll find that the buses and trains are highly efficient – They show up on time, run well in all weather types, and are clean and pleasant to travel on (does that sound better than your local bus service?). Most suburbs are well-connected to the city center in any major urban area.

Check also: Best Countries to Retire in High-Style (Even If You Are Not a Senior)

High Safety Levels

Not only has Finland been rated as planet earth’s happiest country, but it’s also one of the world’s safest places to live.

The income gap is lower than in many other European countries, contributing to its low crime rates. In fact, crime is virtually non-existent in some rural Finnish communities.

The homicide rate in Finland is only 1.63 murders per 100,000 residents per year. That is extremely low. To put it into perspective, the entire country has fewer than 100 murders per year. That is a number similar to the homicides in only 3 months in a single city in the US (Baltimore).

Honesty

Finns are famous for their extreme honesty. In a Readers Digest experiment, reporters purposely “lose” their wallets in different countries around the world. And Finland won hands down, with 11 out of 12 wallets being handed into local police stations.

So if your cash goes missing, you have a good chance of getting it back!

Also, in Finland, police corruption and abuse from authority figures aren’t anywhere near the issue they are in some other countries – Finnish society emphasizes equality over hierarchy.

Cost of Living

Finland’s cost of living situation is a big plus point – it’s 33% lower than the United States average cost of living, coming in at $1423 per month on average compared to $2112 in the USA. This means more money to spend on “nice to have” luxuries after all your essentials are taken care of.

Lower costs of living, however, are not really true for Helsinki, which is a relatively expensive city (although also one of the happiest cities in the World).

Low Poverty

Poverty, unfortunately, is still rife in some areas around the U.S. Finland, on the other hand, has one of the world’s lowest poverty rates, which was around half of the U.S. poverty rate in 2018, according to the OECD.

Cons of Retirement and Living in Finland

Cold Climate

If you’re already accustomed to freezing cold East coast winters, this may not be a total con for you! But Finland does get pretty cold in the winter months. Even in Helsinki, which is in the country’s south, the temperature remains below freezing from mid-November until late March.

And in the North? The average temperature is a chilly 8.5 degrees Fahrenheit (-13 degrees Celsius) in January and February. The harsh winters are not ideal if you dreamed of spending your retirement sipping mojitos on a deck chair!

High Taxes

Finland isn’t exactly what you would call a tax haven – you’ll pay high taxes here to fund the many government benefits the country offers. A typical middle-class wage pays around 30% of their income to the taxman, compared to approximately 24% in the States.

But, the country’s highest earners can end up paying up to 60% (yikes!). That is what happens when you pay progressive tax rates.

Russia is a direct neighbor

At this time of writing, the war between Russia and Ukraine rages on. Uncertainty as to whether the conflict will spill over into other neighboring countries is still widespread throughout Europe and the world at large. This political uncertainty has caused Finland (and its neighbor, Sweden) to apply for NATO membership.

It remains to be seen whether or not Finland, or any other country, will engage in armed conflict with Russia in the near future. But the proximity between the two countries is something to keep in mind as one of the cons of retirement and living in Finland.

Living Costs to consider when planning to retire to Finland

Snowy city in Finland and the sign of a dollar. — The living costs in Finland vary drastically between smaller cities and Helsinki.

We touched on Finland’s living costs earlier in this article, but now we’ll dive deeper into some of the costs you’ll need to consider if you plan on retiring here.

So, get ready for some numbers!

Housing costs in Finland

A 1 bedroom apartment in a city far from major centers comes in at an average of $722 per month – pretty reasonable compared to the $1410 average in the States. Closer to the capital Helsinki, prices go up (check below our analysis of Espoo).

Rental prices as sky-high as you’d find in some American cities like New York, L.A., or San Francisco (which can all be upwards of $2,500 per month for a 1 bedroom apartment), for instance, are pretty much unheard of in Finland unless very close to Helsinki’s financial center.

However, if you’re looking to retire to Finland, then you may wish to purchase your own home. Finnish interest rates have been steadily declining for years and there are plenty of affordable real estate in smaller cities.

Groceries and Food Prices in Finland

Groceries, on average, are a little cheaper in Finland than you’d find back home if you are from the US.

Most grocery stores are, on the whole, low-cost compared to American stores. For example, staple products like potatoes, cheese, bread, tomatoes, eggs, rice, onions, bottled water, etc., are all lower priced on average than you’d find in the States, as are beer and wine.

On the other hand, soda and cigarettes are a little pricier on average.

Utilities

For 1 person, the average utility bill (water, electricity, gas, etc.) will set you back around $100 per month, with huge variations from summer to winter (when it is more expensive). For comparison, the average U.S. utility bill is priced above that even in warm locations. An unlimited internet plan is about a third of the average U.S. plan’s price, so you should have a tidy sum of money left each month to spend on entertainment and evenings out.

This brings us to our next point…

Eating out

If you and your wife or husband are looking to retire to Finland, you may not wish to spend your whole retirement cooking every night!

And with Finland’s reasonably-priced restaurants and bars, you won’t have to penny-pinch any more than you would back home in the States.

Eating out is roughly the same price on average in both countries – with a few minor differences…

The average dinner at a restaurant for two comes in at about $73 compared to $61 in the States. Beer at a bar or pub generally costs around $6.20, to America’s $5.30, and a Coke or Pepsi is only around 25c more expensive than you may be used to.

Coffee tends to be priced about 70c lower than the average American coffee. In addition, lunchtime menus are often cheaper than in the U.S., and fast food meals, like McDonald’s, are roughly the same price.

Transport (This is a really good PLUS)

A rural landscape of Vantaa, a Finnish town very well-connected to Helsinki.

Finland’s super-efficient public transport system makes it easy to get around. Monthly local transport tickets are cheaper on average than in the U.S., coming in at about $57 to $64 in the States. Taxis are usually a couple of dollars more expensive than you’re likely used to.

Finnish gas prices aren’t cheap. Americans are lucky to have some of the most affordable gas prices of any economically advanced country. At this time of writing, Finland’s average gas prices, at about $7.7 per gallon, are almost double what you’ll typically spend in the States, which are only $3.9 per gallon.

Check also: Your Retirement is an Illusion: Why Most of Us Will Work to Death

Cost of Living in Espoo (Finland) vs Valência (Spain) and Tampa (the USA)

It’s time for a comparison of the cost of living in Finland. I will not compare the living costs of Finland with those of New York or London, because nearly anywhere in the world is cheaper than those two cities.

Let’s compare the cost of living in a mid-sized Finnish city (Espoo, a city very close to Helsinki) with the best city for retirement in Europe (Valencia, Spain) and one of the favorite cities for pensioners in the USA (Tampa, Florida).

Remember that there are multiple cities in Finland that are cheaper than Espoo, especially farther from Helsinki.

All prices are from Numbeo and Expatistan (in the few situations where there is no data from Espoo, we used numbers from nearby Helsinki), two websites that crowdsource prices and living costs from thousands of users and contributors.

Values in USD	Espoo	Valencia	Tampa
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant	15.68	11.59	21
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) in a Supermarket	3.32	2.9	1.57
Eggs (regular) (12)	3.14	1.98	3.29
Chicken Fillets (1kg)	12.39	6.4	11.24
Gasoline (1 liter)	2.3	1.56	1.2
Utilities (Electricity, Water, Garbage, etc.) for 85m2 Apartment, monthly	102.6	128.6	156.61
Internet (60 Mbps or More)	17.21	31.88	63.85
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat	15	7	14
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes)	98	73	98
Standard men’s haircut in an expat area of the city	22	20	28
Rent of an apartment (1 bedroom) in the City Centre	1102.94	720.77	2,035.75
Price per Square Meter to Buy an Apartment in City Centre	4,090.91	2,999.91	4,635.63

Cost of different items in Espoo (Finland), Valencia (Spain), and Tampa (Florida, the USA).

Retiring to Finland from the USA

Ok, so you’ve decided to pack your bags, jump on a plane, and retire to Finland to live the good life – Nordic style! What exactly will you need to make your dream a reality?

Finnish landscape. It is cheaper to retire in Finland than in Tampa, Florida (although it is also colder).

Residency permits

There are two types of residency permits (temporary and permanent residence permit). Most foreigners arriving in Finland apply first for temporary residence permits and later change their residence status.

After residing in the country for 4-5 years, you’ll be able to apply for a permanent residence permit. The process is straightforward compared to many other countries – all you need to do is apply through the Finnish embassy in the U.S. or any Schengen country.

Best Place to Retire in Finland

Espoo – Close to Helsinki, but much cheaper

Espoo, Finland is a wonderful place to retire for many reasons. The city is well-maintained, has excellent medical facilities, and is home to a sizable international population. Because of its proximity to both Helsinki’s airport and port, it’s also a fantastic base from which to explore the rest of Europe by ferry or plane.

Espoo is not far from Helsinki, Finland’s capital and largest city, yet it also boasts beautiful scenery of its own. In the Nuuksio nature reserve region, you may find dozens, if not hundreds, of lakes.

Certain neighborhoods, such as Central Espoo, Kirstinmaki, and Karakallio, have a reputation for not meeting Finnish standards (since they are used to very safe surroundings). In reality, the worst that can happen is having your wallet taken if you’re drunk and wandering through them at midnight.

There are some great walking routes located close to the Matinkyla and Olari areas.

If you like the idea of being close to Helsinki at a fraction of the price, then Espoo is the solution for you.

If you enjoyed this article about how to retire in Finland, here are a few other reading suggestions for you:

Our World Guide of Best Places to Expatriate

The Best Cities for Remote Workers This Year

The Easiest Countries to Adopt From – A Guide.

Levi Borba is the founder of The Expatriate Consultancy, creator of the channel The Expat, and best-selling author. Some of the links of this article may be affiliate links, meaning that the author will have a commission for any transaction.