After surveying 2,000 adults in France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom, Spain was ranked as the most preferred destination for those who are considering moving and starting a new life abroad.
The survey also reveals that almost half of citizens in these four countries believe that at some point in the future they will live in another country, reflecting a growing trend towards emigration and the search for new opportunities, euronews writes.
The favorable climate, lifestyle, more affordable cost of living, and high quality of life are among the main reasons that lead people to think about moving and starting a new life outside their country. According to the study, Spain is the most preferred destination for those looking for a fresh start in another country.
The research, conducted on behalf of digital insurance company Feather, shows that the cost of living crisis remains the main factor pushing citizens to consider emigration. This reason was mentioned by 53 percent of Britons, 48 percent of French, 43 percent of Germans and 32 percent of Italians included in the survey.
Only one in ten respondents in each of the four European countries – with 500 adults per country participating – said they would never move to live abroad. Although preferences vary from one country to another, Spain clearly emerged as the most desired destination for those looking to start a new life abroad. The British and Italians ranked Spain as their first choice.
It was mentioned as the preferred destination by 24 percent of Britons and 20 percent of Italians. Vendet më të mira për emigrantët në vitin 2026, po mendoni të filloni një jetë jashtë vendit? Meanwhile, Spain ranked second to France and Germany, with 16 percent of French and 12 percent of Germans choosing it as their preferred destination to move to.
For the French, the most desired destination is Canada. Some 17 percent of respondents said they would like to live there in the future, while Italy came in second with 14 percent of preferences. Germans, on the other hand, seem to prefer to stay close to home. Austria tops the list with 17 percent of respondents, while Spain and Switzerland share second place with 12 percent each.
Britons show a greater inclination to move to more distant destinations. After Spain, 19 percent of them chose Australia, 15 percent Canada and 10 percent New Zealand as the countries where they would like to live. Although Dubai is often mentioned as one of the most attractive destinations for expats, only 3 percent of Britons said they would choose it as their future residence.
However, the survey was conducted at the end of June and the results may have been influenced by Iranian attacks on the United Arab Emirates in recent months. During research into the future of immigration, Feather also spoke with travel expert Holly Rubenstein.
She, who is the host of the podcast “The Travel Diaries,” believes that the traditional model of life as an immigrant – where a person chooses a single country and ultimately settles there – is increasingly losing popularity.
“Today, a much more flexible way of living is emerging: spending six months in one place, working remotely, trying a new lifestyle and making connections in several different places,” Rubenstein said. According to her, the Alpha generation will grow up in an era where long-distance relationships will be a normal part of everyday life.
For this generation, careers, friendships, and personal identity will not necessarily be tied to a specific location. This change is also bringing about a new way of life, which some experts describe as “semi-pats.”
These are people who do not move permanently to another country, but choose to live for different periods in different countries, combining remote work, travel, and international experiences. /Telegraph