<b>The Top 10 Cities in the World for Expat Happiness in 2026</b> Moving to a new country is a big dream but picking the right place is very important. A recent article by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/cocosturge/?hl=en">Connor Sturges</a> in <a href="https://www.cntraveller.in/">Condé Nast Traveller</a> explores the best cities for expats seeking a fresh start. The research comes from <a href="https://www.william-russell.com/international-health-insurance/">William Russell</a>, an international health insurance provider. They looked at 38 different countries and combined data from the Happy City Index, safety numbers from <a href="https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/">Numbeo</a>, and the<a href="https://resonanceco.com/"> Resonance Consultancy</a> report. They also looked closely at how worried people are about being insulted in public, which helps measure how friendly a city truly is. Here are the top ten happiest cities for expats right now. <b>1. Copenhagen, Denmark (Score 6,954)</b> Denmark's capital takes the first place. People love Copenhagen for its amazing work life balance and strong social support. While it is the happiest city, it actually ranked fourth in the world for being the most welcoming. <b>2. Tokyo, Japan (Score 6,788)</b> Tokyo takes the second spot. This result is very interesting because the wider country of Japan usually ranks much lower for expats due to complex visa rules. However, Tokyo itself acts as a highly accessible urban sanctuary that completely redefines personal safety and community respect for outsiders. <b>3. Munich, Germany (Score 6,691)</b> Munich comes in third. Expats love this German city because it has great public services, lots of green spaces, and a very high quality of life. <b>4. Zürich, Switzerland (Score 6,683)</b> Scoring high on the happiness list, Zürich was also named the most welcoming city in the entire world by the <a href="https://www.william-russell.com/international-health-insurance/expat-index/">William Russell study</a>. It has incredible safety ratings and very low social friction, meaning people rarely worry about facing tension on the street. <b>5. Barcelona, Spain (Score 6,668)</b> Barcelona offers a mix of beautiful beaches, rich culture, and a relaxed lifestyle that makes newcomers very happy. <b>6. Oslo, Norway (Score 6,623)</b> Like many Nordic cities, Oslo offers great healthcare, a clean environment, and a peaceful daily life. <b>7. Singapore (Score 6,504)</b> Singapore tied with Tokyo as the second most welcoming city in the related study data. It has a huge international community and excellent public transport. <b>8. Paris, France (Score 6,493)</b> Despite having a reputation for being tough on newcomers, the cultural richness and career opportunities in Paris keep expat happiness high. <b>9. Seoul, South Korea (Score 6,487)</b> Seoul offers amazing technology, fast infrastructure, and a booming economy for international workers. <b>10. Stockholm, Sweden (Score 6,479)</b> Rounding out the list is Stockholm. The city is famous for its clean air, safe streets, and equal society. The Secret to a Good Move The data shows that feeling welcome is just as important as finding a good job. But the most important part happens after you arrive. <a href="https://www.william-russell.com/about/meet-the-team/william-cooper/">William Cooper</a>, a director at <a href="https://www.william-russell.com/">William Russell</a>, says that many people make a huge mistake by thinking a popular country guarantees an easy life. He notes that the first few months are the hardest. Setting up healthcare and finding a stable income are huge challenges. Preparing for these early steps is often much more important than just picking a famous destination.
