Moving abroad is becoming a serious possibility for many Europeans, with nearly half of people surveyed in France, Germany, Italy and the UK saying they expect to live in another country at some point in the future.
The findings come from a survey of 2,000 adults commissioned by digital insurance company Feather, with 500 people questioned in each of the four countries. The cost of living was the most commonly cited reason for considering a move overseas. It was mentioned by 53% of respondents in the UK, 48% in France, 43% in Germany and 32% in Italy.
Only around one in 10 respondents in each country said they definitely would not consider moving abroad, suggesting that international relocation is at least an option for a large share of people, even if they have no immediate plans to leave.
The destinations people have in mind vary considerably by nationality, although Spain stands out across the survey. It was the preferred destination for 24% of British respondents and 20% of Italians. Spain also appeared among the leading choices in France and Germany, attracting 16% and 12% respectively.
French respondents placed Canada at the top of their list, with 17% saying they would consider living there. Italy followed at 14%.
German respondents showed a stronger preference for destinations closer to home. Austria was their leading choice at 17%, while Spain and Switzerland were each selected by 12%.
British respondents were more willing to look further afield. Australia was chosen by 19%, followed by Canada at 15% and New Zealand at 10%. Spain, meanwhile, was selected by 24%, making it the most popular individual destination among British respondents in the survey.
Dubai, often associated with international professionals and expat communities, attracted a much smaller share. Only 3% of British respondents said they were considering moving there. The survey was carried out at the end of June, and the original report notes that events involving Iran and the UAE around the time of the research may have influenced responses.
The survey also points to a possible change in how people think about life abroad. Rather than moving permanently to one country, some future expats may prefer to divide their time between several places.
Travel expert Holly Rubenstein, host of The Travel Diaries podcast, told Feather that the traditional idea of choosing one country and settling there is becoming less common. She described an emerging model in which people spend several months in one place, work remotely, experience a different lifestyle and maintain connections in more than one country.
That approach could make moving abroad less of a single, permanent decision. Instead, people may increasingly experiment with different countries before deciding where they want to establish a longer-term base.
Rubenstein also pointed to younger generations growing up with remote communication as an ordinary part of daily life. In her view, this could make it easier for future workers to separate where they live from where their careers and personal networks are based.
For Europeans considering a move abroad today, however, practical concerns remain important. The survey suggests that the cost of living is a major factor behind the desire to relocate, while the destinations people choose reflect very different ideas about what life overseas should look like. For some, that means staying close to home. For others, it means moving to the other side of the world.
