Europeans moving abroad is a bigger story than most people realise, but not the one most headlines tell. Germany’s statistics office, Destatis, reported a net loss of about 97,000 German citizens in 2025, up from about 81,000 in 2024. Yet the top destinations it named were Switzerland, Austria and Spain, so most people who leave stay inside Europe. That distinction matters if you are deciding where to go. A smaller group looks further afield, drawn by tax, weather, cost of living or a wish for a different pace of life. This guide looks at what the numbers do and do not show, why people say they are leaving, which places beyond Europe come up most, and what to check before you go. I will not claim that Europe is finished, because the honest picture is more useful than a slogan.
Are Europeans Really Leaving Europe?
Some are, but the data needs careful reading. Destatis reports that Germany lost about 97,000 more German citizens than it gained in 2025, against about 81,000 in 2024. The three most common destinations for German citizens were Switzerland (about 23,000), Austria (about 14,000) and Spain (about 10,000). That is movement within Europe, not away from it.
Germany is one country, and it is the one with the clearest published data on Europeans moving abroad, so I use it as a worked example. One analysis of the underlying Destatis tables, published by Seb Sauerborn, counts about 3,400 Germans moving to the UAE and about 2,900 to Thailand in 2025, each up by roughly a quarter on the year before. It also notes that nearly half of German departures have no recorded destination, so any list of destinations is incomplete. Treat these as small but rising numbers, not a mass exodus.
Why Are Europeans Moving Abroad?
Europeans moving abroad rarely do it for one reason. The reasons I hear most are tax and the cost of housing and energy, a wish for better weather and a more outdoor life, and the feeling of wanting to try something different while there is still time. Some are retiring, some are moving with remote work, and some are keeping a base in Europe while spending part of the year elsewhere.
I do not think it helps to turn this into a verdict on any country or government. A move that works is built on what you want from daily life and what you can afford, not on what you are running from. Price a normal month in the place you are considering before you decide.
Where Do Europeans Look Beyond Europe?
Three places come up often for Europeans moving abroad beyond the EU, and they suit very different people.
| Destination | What draws people | What to check |
| UAE | No income tax on individuals, according to the UAE government, and a major international hub | Residency route, summer heat, housing costs and your home-country tax position |
| Thailand | Lifestyle choice from Bangkok to Phuket, and condo ownership for foreigners within the building quota | Visa route, healthcare, distance from family and the 49 percent condo quota |
| Cyprus | A Mediterranean base that is still inside the EU | Residency rules are national, a Cypriot permit is not a right to live anywhere in the EU |
My guides cover the property side of each. For Thailand, see the Bangkok condo guide and the Phuket guide for foreign buyers. For Cyprus, see the Paphos or Limassol comparison and the Cyprus property and residency guide.
Remember that moving within Europe is also a real option. Spain and Cyprus are popular for exactly the reasons many people look further away, and they keep you closer to family and to systems you already understand.
What Should Europeans Check Before Moving Beyond Europe?
- Confirm your visa or residence route with a registered specialist, and do not assume that a home purchase gives you the right to stay.
- Get advice from a tax adviser in your home country on residency, pensions and any property you keep, because some countries have exit rules.
- Check how your health cover and pension work outside Europe, since cover that works across the EU generally does not follow you elsewhere.
- Rent in the area first, outside peak holiday season, and build a monthly budget that includes housing, health cover, visa costs and flights home.
- Use an independent local lawyer to check title, contracts and ownership limits before paying a deposit.
How Can I Help With the Whole Move?
My job is to make sure you do not make an expensive mistake in the wrong order. Talk To Me First is my independent advisory service for people thinking of moving, retiring or investing overseas. It exists to help you make an informed decision before you commit money, sign a lease or sell up at home. I do not mind where you move. I care whether it is right for you.
I have lived in the UK, Australia, Spain and Canada, visited 92 countries and spent more than 30 years in international property, and I work with a network of more than 500 affiliate agents and specialists in over 20 countries. I act as your strategist and coordinator. Regulated advice on tax, pensions, visas and legal matters comes from qualified specialists whom I introduce you to. I do not give that advice myself, and I will say so.
You choose the pace, from doing it yourself to having it done for you:
- A self-guided move guide, if you want to plan it yourself.
- A one-to-one consultation on your situation.
- A deeper strategy covering destination, timing and priorities.
- A relocation roadmap, with hands-on, step-by-step support through the move.
- Property help to buy or rent, or to sell at home before you go, through Rick Flay International Real Estate. I will always say so openly when a property is involved.
- Introductions to specialists in migration, legal, tax, foreign exchange, insurance and healthcare.
Tell me your budget, whether you want to rent or buy, your timing and which places you are considering. Talk to me first, and we will work out the right order of steps before you commit to anything. Get in touch or message me on WhatsApp on +61 404 497 335.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are Europeans leaving Europe?
Some are, but most who leave stay in Europe. Destatis reported that Germany lost about 97,000 more German citizens than it gained in 2025, and the top destinations were Switzerland, Austria and Spain. A smaller group moves further away, including to the UAE and Thailand.
Where are Germans moving to?
Destatis names Switzerland, Austria and Spain as the three most common destinations for German citizens in 2025. Nearly half of departures have no recorded destination, so the full picture is incomplete.
Is it cheaper to live outside Europe?
It can be, but it depends on the place and on your household. Housing, private healthcare, imported goods, schooling and flights home can change the comparison, so price your own normal month before deciding.
Can Europeans buy property in Thailand or the UAE?
Often, with limits. Foreigners can generally buy a Thai condominium unit within the building’s foreign quota, and the UAE allows foreigners to buy in designated areas of Dubai. Take independent legal advice before paying a deposit.
Does buying property abroad give me residency?
Not automatically. Some investor routes exist, but a purchase and permission to live in a country are separate legal questions. Check with a registered specialist before you buy.
Can you help with visas and residency?
Yes. Through Talk To Me First I introduce you to qualified specialists who handle the visa and tax detail, and I help you plan the move. I do not give visa or tax advice myself.
About the author. Rick Flay has more than 30 years of experience in real estate, with over 1,000 properties sold and rented across international markets. Rick Flay International Real Estate helps clients buy, sell and relocate through an international affiliate network of 500+ agents in 20+ countries.
Property, tax, health and immigration rules change, and the right decision depends on your circumstances. Nothing in this article is financial, legal, tax or immigration advice. Take independent professional advice before buying or moving.
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