The index, published by U.K.-headquartered expat insurance provider William Russell, placed Zurich at the top with an overall score of 9.06 out of 10. The Swiss city’s ranking was driven by a strong safety score of 76.7 and low levels of social friction.
The Southeast Asian city-state of Singapore and Japan’s capital Tokyo tied for second with scores of 8.97, supported by high safety ratings of 77.7 and 75.8, respectively.
Foreigners and local people cross a street in Singapore, May 28, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Minh Nga
Both Asian hubs recorded below-average levels of social tension.
According to the report, this translates to newcomers feeling at ease using public transport after dark, navigating the city with minimal language-related challenges, and confidently accessing everyday services.
Copenhagen, Munich, Prague, Dubai, Warsaw, Seoul, and Hong Kong rounded out the top 10 city rankings.
Ten most welcoming cities for expats in 2026. Graphics by William Russell
The study compiled its data using a range of indicators, including the size of a destination’s migrant population, employment rates among foreign-born residents, and public attitudes toward immigrants. By assessing these factors collectively, the index aimed to identify locations that offer an inclusive environment both upon arrival and over the long term.
Tokyo’s high placement stands out because Japan ranks last in the study’s overall country index. Although the nation has a relatively small migrant population of 2.8% and lower national integration scores, its capital remains one of the world’s most welcoming cities. The contrast suggests that large metropolitan areas can provide a more accessible environment for expatriates than broader national indicators might imply.
Alongside the city rankings, the report named Iceland the world’s most welcoming country for expats, followed by Luxembourg and New Zealand.
Australia placed fourth, followed by Switzerland, Ireland, Colombia, the Czech Republic, Portugal, and Austria.
AloJapan.com