When it comes to work-life balance, it likely comes as no surprise that the UK struggles to compete with its European neighbours.
While the UK has a 48-hour weekly work limit, other countries have stronger regulations, more bank holidays, and cultural norms that prioritise distinct separation between work and personal time.
It comes as Remote has released their 2025 European Life-Work Balance Index, which ranks every country in Europe based on factors such as statutory annual leave, paid maternity leave, sick leave and average hours worked.
Even though the UK failed to make it to the top 10, it has risen from 18th place in 2024 to 13th place this year.
Read on to find out which countries beat the UK for the top spots.
Ireland
Ireland remains the best country in Europe to live and work, according to the Index, and has an overall ‘life-work balance score’ of 82.89 out of 100.
Ireland’s International Financial Services Centre is pictured at night. This is a financial hub in Dublin, established in 1987 on former docklands
While there’s a relatively high cost of living (especially in cities like Dublin), this is offset by a generous minimum wage.
The national minimum wage is scheduled to increase from 13.50 euros (£11.72) per hour for workers aged 20 and over to 14.15 euros (£12.28) next January.
Iceland
With an overall ‘life-work balance score’ of 77.98, Iceland steals second place.
It may have a relatively tiny population in comparison to most other European countries but it’s also one of Europe’s most employee-friendly countries.
Iceland frequently tops the charts as one of Europe’s most employee-friendly countries
Like many of its Nordic neighbours, it’s one of Europe’s happiest nations.
Only Finland has a higher score in this regard, with Iceland’s contentment likely influenced by a very generous annual leave entitlement of 40 days, including public holidays.
Belgium
Jumping one place from fourth in 2024 to third in this year’s index, Belgium has steadily cemented a reputation as one of the best countries in Europe for life-work balance.
Pictured: Office buildings of the business district Little Manhattan in Brussels Capital Region, Belgium
While it doesn’t top the rankings for any specific metric, Belgium scores consistently well across the board.
With an average working week of just 34.1 hours, the country also has one of the highest public happiness scores outside of the Nordic region.
Denmark
The Danes are seen (in the words of Danish-born actor Mads Mikkelsen) as masters of ‘keeping life and work in perfect balance’.
Denmark ranks behind only Finland (and level with Iceland) when it comes to public happiness.
Denmark’s policies on statutory annual leave, sick pay, and maternity pay are also among Europe’s most generous
At 32.5 hours, it also has Europe’s second-shortest average working week — only the Dutch enjoy more free time than the Danes.
Denmark’s policies on statutory annual leave, sick pay, and maternity pay are also among Europe’s most generous.
Germany
Germany’s work culture is becoming synonymous with a healthy life-work balance, with an average working week of 33.2 hours.
Pictured: High-rise buildings in Frankfurt’s banking district, Bankenviertel, Germany’s primary financial hub
Rising two places this year, Germany’s strong performance is partly down to an increase in statutory sick pay, as well as marked improvements in public safety, happiness and LGBTQ+ inclusivity.
Germany also boasts one of the continent’s highest minimum wages of 12.82 euros (£11.13) per hour as of January 1, 2025, and is projected to increase to £12.07 in 2026.
Slovenia
Rising three spots from ninth in 2025, Slovenia may not be the first country you think of if you’re considering relocating for work, but it shouldn’t be overlooked.
Slovenia offers a fairly generous statutory leave entitlement and healthy rates of sick and maternity pay.
It’s also considered to be one of the safest European countries to live in, potentially making it a good option for expat families.
One downside is that the average Slovenian working week (37.6 hours) is longer than any other country in the top ten.
Finland
With a score of 71.84, the average working week in Finland is one of the shortest in Europe (33.8 hours).
Ranked as the world’s happiest country for the past eight years, the country boasts low crime rates, high-quality education, gender equality and a strong social support system.
The entitlement of 38 days of statutory annual leave, including public holidays, makes Finland one of the most generous countries for time off
Finland’s workplace culture is likely also a big driver of its high happiness rating, with free time seen as essential.
The entitlement of 38 days of statutory annual leave, including public holidays, makes Finland one of the most generous countries when it comes to allowing employees to take time off.
Norway
Norway has dropped two places in this year’s ranking, but remains synonymous with having a strong and inclusive workplace culture.
Of the countries in the top ten, only Denmark has a shorter average working week than Norway’s 32.6 hours.
Norway has dropped two places in this year’s ranking, but remains synonymous with having a strong and inclusive workplace culture. Pictured: A row of high-rise buildings located in the Bjørvika section of Oslo’s waterfront
The country is also considered the second-most LGBTQ+-friendly country in Europe, behind Iceland.
And like many of its neighbours in the Viking Homelands, Norway is among Europe’s most contented nations, with a happiness score of 9.39.
Portugal
Portugal has entered the top 10 in 2025, rising three places from 12th last year.
The country places a strong value on maintaining a healthy work culture, being one of the safest countries to live in Europe.
It places fifth overall behind only Switzerland, Austria, Ireland, and Iceland for public safety.
Elsewhere, statutory annual leave is amongst the best on the continent. When working in Portugal, you’re entitled to 35 days of paid leave, including public holidays.
Spain
Pictured: The AZCA financial district in Madrid, Spain. This area serves as one of the two main financial districts of the Madrid metropolitan area
With a score of 70.13, Spain secured 10th spot.
However, the country has a long average working week compared to many of its European counterparts at 36.3 hours.
But this is still less than in the UK, where the average working week is approximately 36.6 hours for full-time workers, according to ONS data.
Spain’s statutory annual leave policy of 31 days of paid leave, including public holidays, is among the most generous in Europe.
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