The 10 happiest cities in the world

A British institute has ranked the world's happiest cities based on 2023 data.

The ranking assessed 200 cities around the world.

The happiest city in the world is Aarhus, Denmark.

Denmark's second-largest city sits on the eastern side of the Jutland peninsula, roughly 187 kilometres from the capital, Copenhagen. The result came as little surprise: residents of the Nordic countries almost always top rankings of this kind.

The 10 happiest cities in the world

• 🇩🇰 Aarhus
• 🇳🇱 Amsterdam
• 🇳🇴 Bergen
• 🇦🇺 Brisbane
• 🇦🇺 Canberra
• 🇸🇪 Eskilstuna
• 🇨🇭 Geneva
• 🇫🇮 Helsinki
• 🇸🇪 Jönköping
• 🇬🇧 London

How the cities were measured

• education;
• inclusive policy;
• the economy;
• mobility;
• environmental protection;
• access to green spaces;
• innovation;
• natural conditions;
• exposure to natural disasters;
• and much more that shapes residents' sense of happiness.

The ranking also featured Singapore in 26th place, Paris in 40th, Tokyo in 85th, Moscow in 137th, and Istanbul in 149th. Podgorica and Nicosia bring up the rear.

How to move to the cities in the ranking in 2026

Almost all top-ten cities are in countries with high taxes and strict immigration rules. Moving is realistic, but the route differs by country. Below are the main options with amounts from our checked programme pages.

Aarhus and Copenhagen, Denmark

• Route: the Danish startup visa - residence for up to 2 years for the founder of an approved project, with about $21,000 for a year of living costs.
• Work: employment permits for highly paid professionals.
• City: Copenhagen guide.

Amsterdam, the Netherlands

• Route: the Dutch startup visa - residence for 1 year with about $24,000 in the account. Residence by investment has been closed since 17 April 2024.
• Taxes: Dutch taxes; highly skilled migrants get a relief on part of their salary.
• City: Amsterdam guide - rent is the main cost here.

Bergen, Norway

• Route: Norway has no digital nomad visa. On the mainland there is a self-employed permit; more in remote work in Norway.
• Taxes: Norwegian taxes - up to 47.4% on salary, plus a wealth tax.

Brisbane and Canberra, Australia

• Route: Australian residence - the talent visa gives permanent residence at once, with a decision in about 4 months. There are work visas for occupations on the skills list.
• Taxes: Australian taxes.
• Cities: Brisbane guide and Canberra guide.

Eskilstuna and Jönköping, Sweden

• Route: the Swedish permit for entrepreneurs - about $20,000 for living costs; with a working business you can apply for permanent residence after 2 years.
• Nearby city: Stockholm guide.

Geneva, Switzerland

• Route: Swiss residence - wealthy people not working in the country are taxed on a lump-sum base from $530,000 a year. Employment needs an employer and a quota.
• Taxes: Swiss taxes - rates depend on the canton.
• City: Geneva guide - many live on the French side, where rent is 40-60% cheaper.

Helsinki, Finland

• Route: Finnish residence - for entrepreneurs and specialists, a 2-year permit. Since 15 July 2025 Russian and Belarusian citizens without permanent residence cannot buy property in Finland.
• Taxes: Finnish taxes - a state scale up to 37.5% plus municipal tax.
• City: Helsinki guide.

London, the United Kingdom

• Route: the Innovator Founder visa with no minimum investment or the Global Talent visa for recognised professionals. A work visa needs a salary from £41,700 a year.
• Taxes: UK taxes - 4 years without tax on foreign income for new residents.
• City: London guide.

What you need for any of these routes

• Passport valid for the whole period of the first permit.
• Police certificate with an apostille - from your country of citizenship and countries where you lived in recent years.
• Diplomas and proof of experience - for work and talent visas, often with recognition in the destination country.
• Funds - from $20,000 to $33,000 for a year of living in the Nordics and the Netherlands, more in Switzerland.
• Health insurance for the first period, before you join the public system.
• A business plan - for startup visas and entrepreneur permits, reviewed by government agencies or approved bodies.

Processing times

• United Kingdom - a founder visa decision usually takes about 3 weeks after business endorsement.
• Australia - the talent visa about 4 months.
• Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland - 1 to 4 months with a complete file and an approved business.
• Switzerland - 3-6 months, with separate tax agreement with the canton.

What usually takes longest is not the paperwork but business endorsement or recognition of qualifications. Start six months before your desired move date.

Visas and residence: an example with a Russian passport

Since 2022-2023 the Nordic countries have restricted entry for Russian citizens on tourist visas, and Finland closed its land border. But residence permits for work, business, study and family are still issued; you apply in your country of citizenship or legal residence. Banks take longer to check the source of funds, so prepare the account and proof of funds in advance. If you hold a second citizenship, applying on it is often better; we check the terms before filing.

How we help

1. We choose the country and route for your income, profession and family.
2. We compare taxes and living costs in 2-3 cities.
3. We prepare documents and handle filing and renewals.

We fix our fee in writing after a consultation, and a city comparison for your family is available in the chat.

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