The world’s friendliest city destination for expats has been revealed – and it’s a gorgeous sunny spot that tops the list.
Expat network, InterNations, asked expats around the globe to rate their city based on how welcoming it is, how friendly the local residents are and how easy it is to find friends.
Expats were asked whether they’ve found a personal support network in their new home, if they’re happy with their social life and how easy they find it to make local friends.
So where are the friendliest – and the least friendly – cities for expats?
The friendliest Malaga, Spain
It’s good news for sun worshipping Brits as the world’s friendliest destination for expats is officially Malaga, on Spain’s sunny Costa del Sol.
More than eight in 10 (84 per cent) of expats felt that local people were friendly while 67 per cent said residents were easy to make friends with.
It’s good news for sun worshipping Brits as the world’s friendliest destination for expats is officially Malaga, on Spain ‘s sunny Costa del Sol
One expat told InterNations: ‘What do I enjoy about life here? The weather and climate, the possibility to travel and the friendly environment and people.’
Just under 80 per cent (78 per cent) said it was easy to get used to the local culture in Malaga much higher than the global average of 59 per cent.
Mexico City, Mexico
The capital of Mexico is next on the list, making it a great option for Britons looking to head a little further afield.
A French expat told InterNations: ‘I really appreciate the openness and kindness of the Mexicans. I’m enjoying a fantastic social life!’
More than three in four (77 per cent) of expats agree and said they were happy with their social life.
And over half of those surveyed (52 per cent) said they felt ‘completely welcome’ in Mexico City, compared to 28 per cent of people who did so globally.
The capital of Mexico is next on the list, making it a great option for Britons looking to head a little further afield
Alicante, Spain
Alicante, another coastal destination in Spain rounds off the top three friendliest cities in the world.
More than four in five (82 per cent) of expats in Alicante felt that local people are very kind towards foreign residents.
A British expat told InterNations: ‘I love the outdoor life and the ease of meeting people.’
And 73 per cent of expats living in Alicante are happy with their social life while 62 per cent say it’s easy to make local friends.
Alicante, another coastal destination in Spain rounds off the top three friendliest cities in the world
The least friendly… Munich, Germany
Munich lands at the bottom of the list with many expats claiming it’s hard to feel welcome in the German city.
Around two in five (41 per cent) of expats in Munich find it difficult to get used to the local culture while 46 per cent felt that local people weren’t friendly towards expats.
An Italian expat told InterNations: ‘It’s difficult to make any sort of social contact with locals.’
It’s little surprise that only 37 per cent of expats are happy with their social life in Germany.
Munich lands at the bottom of the list with many expats claiming it’s hard to feel welcome there
Hamburg, Germany
Another German city ranks second from bottom on the list. Almost half (44 per cent) of expats living there said they didn’t feel at home in Hamburg.
And only 42 per cent of expats felt that Hamburg’s local residents were friendly with 73 per cent of people saying they found it hard to make local friends.
A Spanish expat told InterNations: ‘The locals are cold and not welcoming towards foreigners.’
Many expats said they didn’t have a personal support network in Hamburg.
Almost half (44 per cent) of expats living there said they didn’t feel at home in Hamburg
THE WORLD’S FRIENDLIEST CITIES FOR EXPATS
1. Malaga, Spain
2. Mexico City, Mexico
3. Alicante, Spain
4. Valencia, Spain
5. Ras Al Khaimah, UAE
6. Bangkok, Thailand
7. Madrid, Spain
8. Panama City, Panama
9. Nairobi, Kenya
10. Muscat, Oman
11. Dubai, UAE
12. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
13. Melbourne, Australia
14. Abu Dhabi, UAE
15. Doha, Qatar
16. Auckland, New Zealand
17. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
18. Dublin, Ireland
19. Sydney, Australia
20. Lisbon, Portugal
21. Hong Kong, Hong Kong
22. New York, USA
23. Brussels, Belgium
24. Barcelona, Spain
25. Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
26. Singapore, Singapore
27. Rome, Italy
28. Warsaw, Poland
29. Tokyo, Japan
30. Amsterdam, Netherlands
31. The Hague, Netherlands
32. London, UK
33. Istanbul, Turkey
34. Milan, Italy
35. Geneva, Switzerland
36. Toronto, Canada
37. Budapest, Hungary
38. Copenhagen, Denmark
39. Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
40. Paris, France
41. Dusseldorf, Germany
42. Vienna, Austria
43. Prague, Czechia
44. Vancouver, Canada
45. Stockholm, Sweden
46. Oslo, Norway
47. Basel, Switzerland
48. Cologne, Germany
49. Zurich, Switzerland
50. Frankfurt, Germany
51. Berlin, Germany
52. Hamburg, Germany
53. Munich, Germany
Source: InterNations
Over half (64 per cent) of expats said they found it hard to make friends with local residents in the German capital
Berlin, Germany
Berlin rounds off the bottom three, making Germany officially the least friendly country for expats.
Over half (64 per cent) of expats say they find it hard to make friends with local residents in the German capital.
A Hungarian expat told InterNations: ‘Even if I understand the language, I just don’t feel welcome.’
Expats also said they struggled to feel at home in Berlin and many said they didn’t feel welcome.
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