FX.co ★ Countries With Highest Standard of Living

The QNI takes into account various factors in order to compile the rating. Each factor influences significantly the quality of life. The internal factors include economic strength, human development, and peace and stability. The external factors are the diversity of travel freedom and the opportunities the holder of nationality can get outside the country of origin.

Overall, the list consists of 167 countries. They are divided into five parameters that reflect their strong and weak spots. All countries in the ranking have the highest score (75-100%). The material is based on information from 2018 as data for the end of 2018 and the beginning of 2019 is still being collected.

Austria – 78.9%

Having lost 1.0% compared to 2016, Austria took the 10th place in the Henley & Partners ranking.

The procedure of obtaining an Austrian passport is not an easy one. However, it is definitely worth trying as Austrian citizenship gives a lot of benefits. The best way for an immigrant to get citizenship is to launch a business and invest in the real sector of the economy at least €6-10 million. Such an investment will lead to the creation of new jobs in the country as well as increase the amount of taxes received by the Treasury.

In return, the Austrian government guarantees immigrants and their families the best international education, first-class medical care and the right to cross the borders of more than 150 countries without any hindrance.

Ireland -79.0%

Ireland lost 0.4% compared to the previous year and came in a ninth place replacing Spain. At the end of 2017, Spain was shifted from 10th place to 11th.

The number of people wishing to obtain an Irish passport is steadily growing after the Brexit referendum. It is not surprising as Irish citizenship enables its holder to freely enter the territory of more than 169 countries in the world.

Besides, the Irish authorities give the right to get second citizenship without giving up the native one. This factor makes Ireland more appealing for the immigrants as well.

Switzerland-79.0%

The ninth place in this ranking is occupied by Switzerland.

In recent years, the country has tightened the conditions for issuing passports. For instance, it is obligatory to live in the country for 12 years in a row. Another way to obtain citizenship is to conclude an agreement with the local authorities on the payment of the accord tax (a tax taken not from your profit but from your expenditures on the territory of the country).

If you do not interfere in the economy of the country and pay off your bills regularly, you can enjoy all the benefits of a highly developed European country.

Finland – 79.2%

At the end of 2017, Finland was down by -1.5% in the rating mainly due to economic problems. Nonetheless, the country was included in the top 10 and ranked the eighth along with Italy.

In Finland, the standard of living and wages are higher than in other European countries. In addition, after obtaining a Finnish passport, you can apply for a well-paid job, start a business in the country and throughout the European Union without any restrictions.

Italy– 79.2%

Italy occupies the eighth place along with Finland in this ranking. The country lost only a 0.7% score compared to 2016. The looming economic crisis can be determined as the main reason for the decrease. However, in general, life in Italy is calm and has a lot of benefits.

With Italian citizenship, you can freely cross the borders of the Schengen area and beyond. It also provides access to many public competitions, including grants for starting a business. Moreover, Italian citizens living outside the country are included in the AIRE list and may be exempt from certain taxes. They lose the right to receive medical services, though.

Sweden – 80.0%

The seventh place of the rating goes to Sweden. The country lost 1.2% in this rating. Nevertheless, Sweden is considered economically stable and peaceful country despite the difficult situation with the integration of migrants who arrived in the country a few years ago.

As for the citizens of Sweden, they have a lot of countries to choose from as their passport allows them to travel to EU countries without a visa.

Norway – 80.4%

Such a peaceful country as Norway has a strong social policy and visa-free regime with many countries. Additionally, Norway consistently holds the leading positions among the countries according to the Human Development Index for many years.

Even after a slight downgrade of a score by 0.6% in 2017, Norway was included in the top 10 prosperous countries, locating at the sixth place. Thus, being a Norwegian brings loads of advantages to your life as well as opportunities to work and live in one of the leading European countries.

Netherlands – 80.8%

The Netherlands has managed to occupy the fifth line of the rating for many years.

Unlike some other European countries, the Netherlands does not allow its citizens to have dual nationality. However, the government welcomes those who are willing to contribute (usually at least €250,000) to the Dutch economy.

Residents of the Netherlands have access to social and tax benefits, highly qualified medical services, as well as the top universities in Europe. With Dutch citizenship, you can visit 171 countries in the world without a visa.

Denmark – 80.9%

Denmark, whose latest rating was 1.5% lower than the previous one, took the fourth place in the ranking.

The government actively attracts investments in the Danish economy with an amount of at least €50,000 per year. Plus, such an amount of money is supposed to be enough for an entrepreneur to succeed. Obtaining dual citizenship is possible but not welcome. However, in recent years, the rules have been simplified due to the adaptation of immigrants policy.

Citizens of Denmark can visit many developed world countries without a visa. Danish citizens also have a high standard of living and many social guarantees. What is more, they can count on high standards of safety and medicine as well as on the access to free higher education.

Iceland – 81.5%

In 2017, Iceland another country with a very high standard of living added 0.2 to its previous rating and came in the third place.

Iceland can boast of a high level of social security, free medical care, free access to education, and a high employment rate among EU countries.

Despite the strict immigration policy aimed at preserving the national identity, the Icelandic government provides comfortable living conditions for all who have sufficient grounds to obtain an Icelandic passport.

Germany – 81.6%

Germany gave in its leading position to France because of the protests caused by the flow of migrants. Having lost 1.2%, the country managed to hold the second place in this ranking.

First of all, Germany opens its doors to qualified personnel. In return, the country allows obtaining a second citizenship and visa-free travel to the EU. The social security of German citizens is at a high level. Besides, it is a good place to launch a business and then expand it to other EU countries.

France– 81.7%

In 2017, France has taken over Germany’s leading position for the first time in five years with a smaller than Germany's drop in the ranking (by 0.8%). The country is known for its high level of social protection, free education, and quality health care.

France has always received immigrants allowing them to have dual citizenship. With a French passport, you can visit 175 countries.

Russia- 40,5%

At the end of 2017, Russia gained 0.8% in the rating and took 63rd place out of 167.

The living standard of the country is estimated by the Henley & Partners as high. However, the advantages of Russian citizenship are quite controversial even despite steps towards a visa-free regime with different countries.