Lisbon topped the ranking of the world's most livable cities
Experts have compiled a new global ranking of cities that offer the most comfortable living conditions for those moving abroad in search of work and better opportunities. Lisbon topped the list, outranking dozens of major metropolises thanks to its combination of safety, affordability, and quality of life. This is reported by Conde Nast Traveller.
Experts from Global Citizen Solutions have published the first guide, “The World’s Best Cities for Expats,” in which they analyzed 35 cities across different continents and determined where it is most comfortable for people moving abroad to live. The researchers evaluated cities based on seven key criteria, including cost of living, safety, air quality, healthcare system, ease of adaptation for foreigners, English proficiency, and opportunities for international mobility.
It is the combination of various factors that makes a city truly livable, as high scores in one area usually do not compensate for weaknesses in another. “Affordability, social integration, and infrastructure quality rarely come together in a single city. The index makes these competing priorities clear and measurable—which is exactly what consultants and people making important relocation decisions need,” the researcher explained.
Lisbon took first place in the 2026 ranking with a score of 88.49 points. The Portuguese capital received high marks across all key parameters and stands out for the stability of its indicators, whereas other cities often excel only in specific categories.
The publication also notes that Lisbon remains one of the most affordable European capitals in terms of cost of living, has low air pollution levels, and demonstrates a higher level of safety than major cities such as Paris, Rome, and Barcelona. “It is one of the most affordable capital cities in the ranking, one of the cleanest cities in terms of air pollution, and a city that boasts a higher safety rating than cities such as Paris, Rome, and Barcelona,” the study’s authors emphasized.
Amsterdam took second place with a score of 81.97, receiving high marks for safety, healthcare, and environmental conditions, particularly thanks to its well-developed cycling infrastructure.
Third place went to Melbourne, which was named the best city outside of Europe, while Vienna, traditionally known for its strong healthcare system, took fourth place.
The top ten also included Barcelona, Singapore, Auckland, Tokyo, Copenhagen, and Seoul, which demonstrated consistently high scores across all indicators and remain attractive destinations for expats from around the world.
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