Beyond the obvious choices: 3 alternative European countries to relocate to

The British have always taken a better-the-devil-you-know approach to emigrating. France, Spain, Australia, the USA: these are the staple destinations for expats. Yet the continent to which the UK belongs boasts a rich and diverse tapestry of nations with warm climates, vibrant cultures and high living standards. While Brexit has made it harder to move as freely across the borders of EU member states than previously, that doesn’t mean that an expat’s options have narrowed. Far from it.

As the saying goes, the road less travelled can make all the difference. To give you a taste of the lesser-known gems of mainland Europe, here are three unsung, stunning countries that could well be the place to spend your next chapter.

1. Portugal

Mirroring the popularity of Spain, the welcoming Mediterranean climate of Portugal is one unarguable reason to pack up your rainy British troubles and head across the continent. If you like your summers hot and winters mild — with the occasional sprinkling of snow-capped peaks in the Serra de Estrela — you can make your new nest in the Algarve. Or, if you’re a creature of the city, Lisbon’s cobbled streets, winding hills and chromatic sprawl of buildings have made it an underrated, unforgettable place to be.

With its low cost of living and gregarious people and culture, embrace the Portuguese lifestyle, and before too long, you could be spending weekends relaxing on a sunbed and indulging in some delicious pulpo (octopus) salade. Come Monday, you may find yourself rising at the crack of dawn to trawl the narrow streets of Porto for your regular fix of pastel de nata. 

Not only does Portugal beat out Spain for the expat quality of life, but settling there post-Brexit has been simplified by the country’s residency by investment programme that allows for residency rights in exchange for investments into the country. One notable benefit of this programme is the visa-free Schengen Area travel access, along with the eligibility for citizenship after five years. As CS Global Partners explain: “residence authorisation can be renewed for an initial period of two years and then for consecutive five-year periods, provided the residency requirements have been fulfilled”. Vamos lá!

2. Finland

When envisioning the Finnish lifestyle, one thing that puts many off is the whole sunshine issue. While Brits don’t necessarily get to boast about being saturated with vitamin D all the time, there is a noticeable difference between a wetter than expected August, and the winter sun setting for seven weeks or so, as is the case in some parts of Finland.

However, this shouldn’t put you off, as Finland has a lot going for it, including its vibrant emerging food scene, wonderfully welcoming culture and public infrastructure — not to mention the awe-inspiring landscape vistas. Aside from its state of the art education system and a progressive work culture that prioritises balance, Finland is incredibly safe, making it all the better place to raise your children.

If that doesn’t swing it, you might be in for a cold winter, but that’s where Finland’s unique sauna culture comes in. For time immemorial the hot, wooden sanctuary of the sauna has been a staple of the Finn’s lifestyle, used for its purifying, healing effects, and Finland’s sauna culture was recently inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. In fact, the term is the only Finnish one to have made it into everyday use in the English language — suggesting that this pastime is a hard one to turn down.

3. Iceland

Yes, we’re staying Scandinavian here. For your average wannabe expat, the image of vast sheets of ice and frosty winds is not the most immediately enticing — but remember, this list is about the less than obvious. Plus, like its other Northern European neighbours, Iceland boasts fantastic living standards. While resettling has become a little more complicated post-Brexit, the extra leg-work to put in is just a drop in the bucket of delights that your new Icelandic future will hold.

If you’re not averse to the chillier climates, you can bask in the magnificent glacial landscapes of a nation teeming with natural wonders, from ice caves to lagoons, and geysers to waterfalls, as well as black sands and hot springs. 

If the country’s staggering beauty isn’t enough, city life is equally inviting, and most likely to be the preferred option for an expat given that the capital city of Reykjavik is home to 63% of the entire country’s population. Reykjavik is a hub of thriving art, music and nightlife — while also serving as the seat for the nation’s cultural heritage, and being incredibly walkable.