The most critical question for families considering moving to Europe is: “Which country offers a safer, happier, and more sustainable life for our children?” Not only salary or climate; the quality of education, health system, parental leave, safety, happiness index, and daily living costs should be evaluated together.
In this article, we will compare in detail the most suitable European countries for family life, from the Netherlands to Scandinavian countries, from Switzerland to Portugal. At the same time, we will touch upon why it is important to receive professional support on issues such as residency permits, company formation, international payroll, and tax optimization in such a relocation decision and Corpenza’s role in this regard.
What Criteria Should You Consider When Choosing a Country Suitable for Family Life?
When making a family migration decision, relying on a single variable poses a significant risk. Generally, it is healthiest to evaluate the following criteria together:
- Education: The quality of public schools, bilingual programs, preschool (förskola/kindergarten) options.
- Health: Free or low-cost healthcare services for children, insurance coverage.
- Parental Leave: Duration and paid/unpaid status of maternity, paternity, and parental leave.
- Safety: Crime rates, political and social stability, peace indices.
- Happiness and Welfare: Life satisfaction, welfare indices, social support systems.
- Cost of Living: Monthly expenses for a family of four, scenarios excluding and including rent.
- Work and Career: Job market, working hours, work-life balance.
Now, let’s take a detailed look at the standout European countries in light of these criteria.
Netherlands: Child Happiness and English-Friendly Living
The Netherlands ranks high in many international indices for family life and welfare. Its top positions in the Legatum Prosperity Index under the living conditions category are among the most concrete indicators of this.
Child Welfare and Health System
In the Netherlands, healthcare costs for children under 18 are fully covered under the parents’ health insurance policy. This provides significant financial relief, especially for families with young children who require frequent doctor visits, vaccinations, and routine check-ups.
- Preventive healthcare services for children are widespread.
- The family doctor system is strong; access to healthcare services is quick.
Education, Language, and Daily Life
The Netherlands is a strong country in terms of both the quality of public schools and international and bilingual education options. The vast majority of the population speaks English very well, and many public services are also offered in English. This provides significant comfort for families who do not know the Dutch language, especially in the initial period.
- Thanks to bicycle-friendly infrastructure, children can safely go to school and activities.
- There are extensive parks, playgrounds, and green spaces throughout the country.
- Fairy-tale theme parks like Efteling make weekends unforgettable for children.
Residency, Citizenship, and Long-Term Planning
A significant advantage for families planning long-term living in the Netherlands is the possibility to apply for citizenship after five years of legal residency. At this point, the type of visa used for entry (work visa, highly skilled migrant, entrepreneur, etc.), the need to establish a company, and the structuring of the tax system play a critical role.
Corpenza offers end-to-end consultancy services for professionals and business owners who wish to relocate to the Netherlands on issues such as:
- Company formation and branch opening,
- Employment of highly skilled migrants,
- International payroll (payroll/EOR) and tax optimization
…
Sweden: Parental Leave and Work-Life Balance
Sweden is one of the most preferred countries for family life due to its family policies and child-focused social state structure.
480 Days of Paid Parental Leave
In Sweden, parents can use up to 480 days of paid parental leave. This period is shared between the two parents, with specific portions reserved for each parent. Thus, it encourages not only the mother but also the father to spend active time with the child.
- During the leave period, income is largely subsidized by the state.
- It becomes easier for families to plan childcare and spend more time at home in the early years.
Education System and Preschool Programs
In Sweden, education is compulsory for ages 6–15. Additionally, preschool programs called Förskola are common and accessible for children aged 1–5.
- The education system ranks among the best models in the world.
- A student-centered, pressure-free but disciplined approach to education prevails.
Nature, Safety, and Cost of Living
Sweden ranks 1st among 76 countries in terms of natural environment. The Stockholm archipelago, forests, lakes, and the northern Lapland region provide an ideal environment for children to grow up close to nature.
The monthly cost of living for a family of four is approximately 3,300 euros excluding rent. When parental leave, strong public services, and eco-friendly living come together, Sweden becomes a particularly attractive option for families with young children.
Denmark: Happiness Index and Top Security
Denmark ranks high in many international assessments as one of the “best countries to live in”. In some rankings covering 167 countries, it is positioned first.
Short Work Week and Family Time
The typical work week in Denmark is 37 hours, and actual daily working hours often drop to 5–6 hours in most sectors. This model allows working parents to spend more quality time with their children.
Free Healthcare and Education
In Denmark, healthcare and education are completely free. The education system ranks in the top 10 globally and is very close to the top in most assessments.
- Preschool and primary education are free for foreign residents as well.
- Many schools offer bilingual education opportunities, which accelerates adaptation for immigrant children.
Happiness, Safety, and Cost of Living
Denmark generally ranks 1st or 2nd in the world happiness rankings. It is also one of the safest countries in terms of the Global Peace Index.
The monthly cost of living for a family of four is approximately 3,900 euros excluding rent. Considering the high standard of living, strong social state, and security, this cost is deemed reasonable for many families.
Parental Leave
- Initially, there is a 10-week maternity leave.
- After that, each parent can use up to 32 weeks of parental leave.
- One of the parents can transfer up to 13 weeks of their portion to the other parent, depending on their situation.
Norway: Social Rights and High Standard of Living
Norway is a very attractive country for families with children due to its social state structure and family-friendly policies.
Generous Parental Leave and Vacation Rights
In Norway, mothers are granted 9 weeks of paid maternity leave. Additionally, there is 48 weeks of paid parental leave available for each parent. This duration is extremely generous compared to many countries.
Moreover, employers are required to provide their employees with at least 25 days of paid vacation per year. This helps families plan long vacations with their children and truly establish a work-life balance.
Health System and Cost of Living
Norway’s health system is considered one of the best models in the world. Thanks to supported healthcare services, families with children can benefit from healthcare services without feeling financial pressure.
The monthly cost of living for a family of four is approximately 4,000 euros excluding rent. Although this is above the European average, it is balanced out by the social rights and wage levels provided.
Switzerland: High-Level Education and Health
Switzerland stands out with its high standards in education and health. It presents a profile of a country focused on quality and safety in every field.
Top-Quality Education and Health
Switzerland’s education system ranks at the highest levels in global rankings. Both public schools and international schools offer a strong curriculum. The health system is also considered one of the most successful examples worldwide.
- There are modern hospitals and high-tech medical infrastructure.
- Health insurance is mandatory, but the quality of services provided is very high.
Safety and Cost of Living
Switzerland is among the safest countries. Crime rates are very low, and cities are extremely safe both day and night.
However, the monthly cost of living for a family of four is approximately 5,600 euros excluding rent. This is one of the highest values among the countries on our list. However, when evaluated together with income levels and quality of life, it continues to be a preferred option for many upper-income families.
Portugal: Warm Climate and More Affordable Costs
While Scandinavian countries raise concerns with their cold climates and high costs, Portugal offers a balanced alternative with its warmer climate and relatively lower cost of living.
Family-Friendly Culture and Expenses
In Portuguese culture, family is at the center of life. Parks, beach areas, and safe neighborhoods for children are widespread. The monthly cost of living for a family of four is approximately 2,200 euros excluding rent; this creates a significant advantage compared to Scandinavian countries.
Another factor that makes Portugal particularly attractive is the investment programs and residency permits that can be applied for under favorable conditions. Various visa models developed for investors and remote working professionals facilitate families moving together.
A Brief Look at Cost of Living and Tax Dimensions
The same salary level can translate into a completely different standard of living in different countries. Therefore, when making a relocation decision, the total tax burden and the services received from the government should also be taken into account, as well as net salary.
- Scandinavian Countries (Sweden, Denmark, Norway): Income taxes are high; however, education, health, and social rights are largely free.
- Netherlands: Tax rates are high but balanced by strong social security, quality infrastructure, and child benefits.
- Switzerland: Tax advantages in some cantons, but very high cost of living.
- Portugal: Lower cost of living, tax advantages in certain programs, and residency opportunities.
This table shows that the “best” country for a family varies according to budget, career, and children’s education goals. Especially for those with international income flows, remote workers, or those earning income in multiple countries, tax planning is of vital importance.
How Does Corpenza Support You in This Process?
Relocating to Europe as a family is not just about obtaining a visa or finding a home. Especially for professionals and business owners, decisions intertwine with company structure, tax residency, payroll structuring, and social security. A poorly structured setup can increase costs and complicate residency/citizenship processes.
Corpenza provides strategic support in the following areas:
- Company Formation and Tax Planning: Establishing a company, opening a branch, or tax optimization in the Netherlands, Portugal, or another European country.
- Residency and Work Permits: Creating a roadmap for the most suitable visa and residency model for all family members.
- International Payroll and EOR (Employer of Record): Managing legal payroll, social insurance, and tax processes for your remote employees in different countries.
- Posted Worker and Staff Deployment: Ensuring both cost and tax compliance when sending your employees from Turkey to Europe on a project basis.
- Investment-Based Residency/Citizenship: Selecting the most suitable program based on your family’s needs in countries like Portugal for investment-based residency and citizenship processes.
With these services, while you focus on your new life as a family, the complex legal, financial, and administrative processes behind are managed professionally.
Conclusion: Which is the “Best” Country for Your Family?
Each of the countries we examined above is strong from different perspectives:
- Netherlands: English-friendly infrastructure, child welfare, and bicycle culture.
- Sweden: 480 days of parental leave, strong education system, and living close to nature.
- Denmark: Short work week, free healthcare and education, high happiness index.
- Norway: Generous parental leave, strong social state, high standard of living.
- Switzerland: High-level education and health, very high security.
- Portugal: Lower costs, warm climate, family-oriented lifestyle.
The most suitable country for you will depend on your budget, career plans, children’s education goals, and climate/lifestyle preferences. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze both quality of life data and legal and financial dimensions together before making a decision.
As Corpenza, we offer end-to-end solutions for professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors who want to start a new life as a family in Europe, from company formation to residency permits, payroll to tax optimization; helping you design the healthiest combination of country and structure for your family.
Disclaimer
The information in this text is provided solely for general informational purposes. No part constitutes legal, financial, or tax advice. The residency, citizenship, tax, and social security regulations of countries can change frequently. Before making any decisions, be sure to check the current official regulations of the relevant country and seek professional support from an expert lawyer, financial advisor, or immigration consultant. Corpenza is not responsible for any direct or indirect damages that may arise from the use of the information contained in this article.
