European cities were found to be particularly pleasant for expats
The Danish capital, Copenhagen, is the happiest place for expats looking to relocate in 2026.
New research found that Copenhagen tops the list with an impressive happiness score of 6,954.
The study by international health insurance specialists, William Russell, examined the friendliest and most welcoming destinations worldwide for people moving abroad this year.
Copenhagen earned its top ranking by ranking particularly well across six key areas: citizens, governance, environment, economy, health and mobility. The city is famous for its impressive cycling infrastructure and lovely green spaces, making it a benchmark for urban wellbeing.
Happiest cities for expats (happiness score)
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Tokyo claimed the second spot with a score of 6,788, while Munich rounded out the top three at 6,691.
Barcelona, Zurich and Oslo also made strong showings in the top 10, proving European cities dominate when it comes to expat happiness.
Tokyo's second-place spot is thanks to its blend of efficient public transport, excellent healthcare and buzzing city life. Despite being one of the world's largest metropolises, it still ranks among the happiest places to live.
Munich came in third position with an array of parks, a good economy and top public services. The Bavarian city consistently performs well across all wellbeing measures.
Beyond the happiness rankings, the research found Zurich is the friendliest city globally, scoring an impressive 9.06 out of 10. The Swiss city combines high safety levels with remarkably low social friction.
Iceland emerged as the most welcoming country overall, offering one of the strongest environments anywhere for expat integration.
Director at William Russell, William Cooper, said: "One of the biggest mistakes expats make is assuming that popular countries guarantee an easy transition. In reality, the first few months are when most challenges arise, such as navigating healthcare systems and securing a stable income. Preparing for those early stages is often more important than the choice of destination."
