Europe’s Top 10 Countries for Expat Entrepreneurs Revealed for 2025
UPDATE: A new ranking has just been released, spotlighting the top 10 European countries for expat entrepreneurs looking to launch their businesses in 2025. The United Kingdom, Sweden, and the Netherlands are leading the pack, according to an analysis from William Russell, an international insurance provider.
This essential index ranks countries based on crucial factors like venture capital funding, startup survival rates, and workforce participation. If you’re contemplating a move abroad to kickstart your entrepreneurial journey, these findings are particularly relevant RIGHT NOW.
The report assigns scores to each country on a scale from 0 to 10, evaluating metrics such as startup density, coworking infrastructure, and the number of billionaire founders. The data, reflecting the latest insights available as of May 15, 2025, draws from reputable sources including the World Bank and Forbes.
1. United Kingdom tops the list with an impressive expat entrepreneur score of 8.66/10. The UK boasts a robust venture capital ecosystem, attracting over £3.15 billion (approximately $4.22 billion) in tech VC funding last year. The country also leads in startup density, with 18.62 new businesses per 1,000 workers and a one-year survival rate of 89.2%.
2. Sweden follows closely with a score of 8.01/10. Known for its generous public support and a high startup survival rate of 97.1%, Sweden has become a haven for tech giants like Klarna and Spotify. The supportive ecosystem, featuring government grants and tax incentives, promotes long-lasting new ventures.
The Netherlands secures the third position with a score of 7.47/10. It offers a solid workforce participation rate of 57.7% and a survival rate of 95.7%. While its startup density is lower at 3.43 new businesses per 1,000 workers, the Netherlands compensates with a high quality of life and efficient business practices.
4. Switzerland ranks fourth with a score of 7.37/10. Despite an 82% survival rate, it stands out for high levels of venture capital investment and a strong financial sector, appealing to high-end ventures.
In fifth place, Cyprus scores 6.77/10 and features a new business density of 12.79 but lacks local venture capital, which could hinder early-stage entrepreneurs.
6. Norway follows with a score of 6.29/10, offering stable workforce conditions and public funding support, despite lower venture capital figures at £41.25 million (approximately $55 million) in 2025.
With an expat entrepreneur score of 6.13/10, Iceland ranks eighth. Its startup rate is high at 12.07 per 1,000 workers, but a survival rate of 73.5% raises concerns about sustainability.
Estonia and Luxembourg both score 6.08/10, highlighting Estonia’s digital-first infrastructure and Luxembourg’s coworking space density, which supports small teams and flexibility.
Lastly, Belgium rounds out the list with a score of 5.97/10. While its startup survival rate is strong at 93.8%, challenges like low workforce participation and hiring complexities could deter some expat entrepreneurs.
This ranking is vital for anyone considering launching a business in Europe. Each destination presents unique opportunities and challenges that could significantly impact your entrepreneurial success.
Stay tuned for further updates as we continue to monitor these developments in the expat business landscape.
