The 5 Best Countries in Europe for a Family Move in 2026
Are you planning a family move to Europe and don’t know which country in Europe is best for you, especially for your family, in terms of finding a safe, stable environment for your kids and building a future that feels secure?
You should know that a successful family move to Europe isn’t just about picking the prettiest city. It’s about understanding visa policies for your entire family, as our main topic is to guide you to move to Europe with your family in 2026 with the best possible option, especially when it’s about the housing market, and knowing if you can actually afford life with your family.
To find the answer to these questions, you have to go through our blog post, as in this blog post we will tell you about the top 5 European countries for a family move, focusing on what truly matters for 2026 and beyond.
1. Sweden
Sweden is the topmost country on our list that is best for families looking for a long-term, secure future. Its society is engineered to support parents and children.
a) Visa & PR for Families in Sweden
Typically, if you have a work permit and you are a primary applicant, your spouse/cohabiting partner and any children under 18 can apply for residence permits to join. After 4 years of permanent employment, you can apply for Permanent Residency (PR). Citizenship can be applied for after another 3-5 years around.
b) Housing & Living Cost in Sweden
This is the biggest challenge for you when you move to Sweden. There’s a significant housing shortage these days, especially in Stockholm and Gothenburg. So you can expect high rental costs and a competitive buying market. The general cost of living is high, but you can balance it with your salary, as the salary is fair enough to manage your expenses.
c) Family Life & Security in Sweden
Schools: Free, high-quality education that focuses on independent thinking. There are also excellent international school options for your kids
Healthcare: Healthcare in Sweden is heavily subsidized and high-quality without any doubt. So you can assume it is the best system in Europe.
Author keynote for you
Choose Sweden for you because gives you unparalleled parental benefits (480 days of paid leave!) and a progressive society, where your family and children grow and develop themselvesin a much better way. While you have great schooling, and your healthcare system is one of the most amazing, just like Norway and Denmark. If you ask about my opinion of the whole of Europe, then for sure I will recommend you Sweden, as it is my favorite place to live. So if you get a visa or apply for visa and are confident about getting a visa, then I suggest you start your housing search from your home country.
2. The Netherlands
If you want a seamless integration into a society where you want to see work-life balance in reality, the Netherlands is a prime choice for your family’s move to Europe.
a) Visa & PR for Families in the Netherlands
If you are a highly skilled individual and doing a professional job already and find a job in the Netherlands, then you will get a highly skilled migrant permit, as the highly skilled migrant permit is a popular route. If you qualify, your spouse or partner and children can join you immediately without extra income requirements. After 5 continuous years and a job, you can apply for a permanent EU residence permit.
b) Housing & Living Cost in Netherlands
The housing market is intensely competitive. You must have a job and a bank account to even apply for rentals. Prices in Amsterdam, Utrecht, and Rotterdam are very high. However, outside major hubs, it becomes more manageable.
c) Family Life & Security in the Netherlands
Schools: Dutch children are consistently ranked the happiest in the world. The system is great, and English is widely spoken, easing the transition. So if your children speak English, they can easily adjust to the Dutch schooling system.
Healthcare: Mandatory and comprehensive, but requires you to pay monthly insurance. If you have a job, which of course you would have when you move to the Netherlands, then your employers will of course pay your insurance that covers your and your family’s healthcare treatment.
Author note for you
If you want to have stress free, bike-centric lifestyle with your family and an easy visa process for families, but be financially prepared for the housing expenses, as housing is quite expensive, especially when you have a family of three to four persons, including children.
3. Germany
Germany is another big country in Europe with a strong economy and provides you a clear path for settlement, not just for you but also for your family. Germany is an incredibly secure choice for your family’s future in Europe.
a) Visa & PR for Families in Germany
Germany actively seeks skilled workers. The EU Blue Card is a fast track, requiring a university degree and a solid job offer. Family reunification is a legal right for spouses and minor children. If you move to Germany on the basis of a Blue Card, then for you, permanent residency is possible after 33 months with your Blue Card (or 21 months with B1 German). If you moved here on the basis of a standard work permit, then it will take 4 to 5 years to apply for permanent residency in Germany for you and your family.
b) Housing & Living Cost in Germany
It depends on the area of cities. If you move to Munich and Hamburg, which are expensive, cities like Leipzig and Berlin (though rising) offer more value. Overall, the cost of living is reasonable for the quality of life, especially when you are considering the high-quality infrastructure.
c) Family Life & Security in Germany
Schools: The public school system is excellent and free. The Kindergeld (child benefit) provides monthly financial support for each child.
Healthcare: Germany has a world-class healthcare system, which we no doubt accept, and has a mandatory public insurance system.
Author note for you
If you got a skilled worker and get a job offer in Germany, then go for it, as Germany is a big country and you would have a lot of opportunities for you and for your family in the future, and overall you will see a sense of stability and order. Although Germany is not as good as it was in the past, and overall in Europe the job market is tough, so if you get the option to move here, then take it. If you get two options, one in Sweden and one in Germany, then go for Sweden.family move to Europe
Read: German permanent residency complete guide and process.
4. Portugal
Portugal is a more relaxed alternative with some of the most accessible visa pathways in Western Europe, which is ideal for a family move to Europe on a moderate budget.
a) Visa & PR for Families in Portugal
The D7 Passive Income Visa and the D2 Entrepreneur Visa are popular. These visas allow for family reunification from the start. After 5 years of temporary residency, you can apply for permanent residency or even Portuguese citizenship, which is one of the easiest citizenships in all of Europe.
b) Housing & Living Cost in Portugal
While costs have risen now as so many foreigners are living there now, still, Portugal remains significantly more affordable than Northern Europe. You get more space for your money, especially outside central Lisbon and Porto.
Family Life & Security in Portugal for Families
Schools: Good public schools and a growing number of affordable international schools, but not like Sweden, Germany, and the Netherlands.
Healthcare: We can say that they have good and affordable healthcare, especially with private insurance.
Author note for you
If you have a fair investment or you get a job, which is not that easy to get, but with investment you can move here alone and open some business; when you are stable, maybe in a year or two, then you can invite your family, but it purely depends on your income and earnings and how much investment you have.
5. Czech Republic
Although many of you are talking about Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands, and Portugal, you forget about the Czech Republic, but the Czech Republic offers you much more: a central location, a growing economy, and a lower cost of living, making it a fantastic, practical option for you and your family’s future in Europe.
a) Visa & PR for Families in Czech Republic
If you get a job there, you need a long-term visa (over 90 days), usually tied to your work permit, business, or study. So it fairly depends on what options you have: either a job, a business, or an investment and study, which is although not recommended. However, your family members (spouse and minors) can then apply for a long-term visa to join. Permanent residency for EU nationals is straightforward after 5 years. However, if you are a non-EU citizen, it’s more complex but, of course, achievable.
b) Housing & Living Cost in Czech Republic
While Prague is becoming more expensive, it’s still far more affordable than most Western European capitals. The general cost of living, groceries, transportation, activities, etc., is very family-friendly.
Family Life & Security in Czech Republic
Schools: A solid state school system and several well-regarded international schools, but not like Sweden and the Netherlands.
Healthcare: A compulsory insurance system with good standards of care, if we say it simply.
Author note for you
You can choose the Czech Republic as your fifth option because it has a lower financial barrier to entry without sacrificing your family safety and quality of life. But not highly recommended. That means if you have the other four options from the above list, then go to them, but consider this as your option to enter into Europe with a safe and quality life for your family.
These are the five key countries that you can consider to move with your family in Europe and settle there, although there are many other countries in Europe that you can consider as well, but in this blog post we come up with these five countries for you.
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Disclaimer: This blog post is only for informational purposes. To know about these courtiers and their system, visit the official source as well.
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