The city of Batumi ranked among the best for Tourism Investment .
From secure, stable Monaco and historic Paris to vibrant Milan and crypto-friendly Madeira, these destinations stand out as the best to invest in Europe according to a new ranking by the European Best Destinations (EBD) guide.
The list of the 10 ‘Best Destinations to Invest in Europe’ factors in criteria such as tax advantages, price per square meter, days of sunshine, proximity to universities, airports and transport infrastructure, amount of green space per m2, and indices for entrepreneurial freedom and happiness.
Top of the list? Monaco, named as ‘Best Secure Environment Investment’, followed by Geneva for ‘Best Life Sciences Investment’, then Batumi in Georgia for ‘Best Tourism Investment’.
“These are destinations for safe investment, whether it is large companies weighing billions of euros for secure real estate or luxury hotels or investments on a smaller scale to allow financial independence (F.I.R.E.),” EBD concludes. “Whether you have €100 million or €1,000 to invest, here are the best places to do it.”
1. Monaco: Best Secure Environment Investment
Monaco, ranked best for sustainable businesses, real estate investment, luxury industry, … [+]
Best for: sustainable businesses, real estate investment, luxury industry, international markets
The Principality of Monaco is renowned throughout the world for its Grand Prix, casinos and unique high-end lifestyle.
Nestled between sea and mountains at the heart of the French Riviera, according to EBD’s analysis Monaco “is also a diversified, hyper-dynamic economic hub, with a resolutely international outlook. Many successful entrepreneurs have made the decision to settle here, in order to benefit from a stable, secure environment conducive to a thriving business and flourishing family life.
“A city state on a human scale, where dialogue is easy and decision-making chains are short. Ambitious energy and digital transitions are helping to enhance the country’s appeal. Building on this vision, the Principality is engaged in a new cycle of digital, sustainable and rational growth.”
2. Geneva, Switzerland: Best Life Sciences Investment
Geneva, ranked best to invest in life sciences, financial services, biotechnology
Best for: life sciences, financial services, biotechnology
Geneva is an international economic center with more than 1,000 multinational companies, two-thirds of which are foreign. Located in the heart of Europe, the Canton of Geneva is a leader in areas like banking and financial services, trading, life sciences, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals.
The canton of Geneva is also the most active diplomatic center worldwide with a unique network of international organizations, NGOs and diplomatic representations.
“Thanks to a highly qualified population, companies have recently managed to transform unhealthy behaviors such as poor eating habits, alcohol abuse, and smoking into positive lifestyle changes,” EBD adds.
3. Batumi, Georgia: Best Tourism Investment
Aerial view of Batumi which is ranked best for investment in low taxes, liberalized economy, … [+]
Best for: low taxes, liberalized economy, no paperwork, affordable real estate
Wondering which will be the next fashionable destination to invest in the tourism industry, a second home, to set up an IT or travel company? The answer is Batumi.
Located in the Adjara Region, which offers many tax benefits to attract investors, it guarantees the right to repatriate the income once taxes are due, fast and easy business registration and high return on investment — 10-13% for real estate and tourism industry investments, according to most recent official statistics.
At €1,000 per square meter for a centrally-placed apartment, the price of real estate is among the most attractive in Europe. Combine that with a low cost of living and a crime rate also among the lowest in Europe.
For individuals or companies, there is a simple, low taxation with a flat 1% rate for companies and property tax rates from 0.05 to 0.2% of the market value of the property.
4. Nice, France: Best Real Estate Investment
Nice, ranked best to invest in real estate, hostelry, event organizing.
Best for: real estate investment, hostelry, event organizers, wedding planning, seasonal rental
Even as prices per square meter along the French Riviera are among the highest in Europe, it still remains one of the most attractive regions for investing.
Whether a second home, hotel or real estate investment managed by an agency for seasonal income, there has been no financial operations at a loss in the real estate of the French Riviera in the last 30 years, according to real estate agencies.
“Despite the high cost, Nice’s real estate property continue to rise for a simple reason,” explains EBD. “It is not possible to build even the smallest building in many areas of the French Riviera. This real estate market is therefore in a cocoon which can hardly be broken given the space limitations and the numbers of foreign proprietors. Russians, South Africans, Americans, Dutch, Germans, English and Austrians are among the most represented and interested in having a pied-à-terre in Provence or in the posh cities of Cannes and Nice.”
Real estate investment generally starts at €1 million and has no limit. Count on €20 million for the most luxurious properties or historic residences with extensive parks.
A luxury apartment with a sea view costs around €3 million and brings a weekly rental yield of €15,000 in high season.
“Investing on the French Riviera is like buying a millennial Château Rothschild: expensive but safe,” the organization adds.
5. Madeira Island, Portugal: Best Crypto Investment
The island of Madeira ranked best to invest in crypto currency, real estate, hotel industry.
Best for: crypto investors, real estate, hotel industry, retired
Madeira is one of the most attractive regions of Portugal, with the additional advantage of being one of the friendliest bitcoin jurisdictions in Europe.
A fully autonomous region, Madeira has its own government and own laws making it particularly attractive for investors, whether for a real estate investment, hotel projects or other tourist activities.
The island is a center for digital nomads — the first destination in Europe to have created a village for them, called Ponta do Sol — and boasts Portugal’s first properties purchased entirely with crypto currencies under the Promotheus Project.
“Investors in cryptocurrencies often seek to diversify their investments and the variations in Bitcoin prove them right,” EBD suggests. “Its currently historically high rate may be an opportunity to invest in a property in Madeira.
“The southeast of the island is interesting if you are looking for recent and luxurious villas with swimming pools (Paul do Mar, Jardim do Mar, Calheta). Funchal and Camara dos Lobos remain very good for investments in luxury apartments.”
Finally, Madeira still offers a Golden Visa scheme, despite the fact that it has been limited elsewhere in Portugal, permitting the acquisition of Portuguese residency through investment.
6. Paris, France: Best Start-ups Investment
Towering office buildings in the financial district of La Défense, Paris.
Best for: start-ups, after work life, real estate investment, aircraft, electronics and luxury industries, hostelry, design.
The tendency is to think of Paris for real estate or luxury clothing investing, with big names like LVHM, Dior, Louboutin established there. But Paris is also home to aircraft, electronics, textiles, chemicals, food processing, automobiles and, of course, many tourism industries, to mention a few.
“Whether you want to produce ‘made in Paris’ or ‘made in France’ or simply benefit from a large talent pool for your start-ups or your company, Paris is a very good choice,” EBD notes.
“Over the past 10 years, France has reduced the bureaucracy relating to entrepreneurship and making it easier to launch a business or resell it. For start-ups, France has made great progress drawing inspiration in particular from Silicon Valley with the presence of numerous investment funds and business angels and reducing resale costs with lower taxes, which were once significant.
“These regulations enabled the city to host the world’s largest digital business hub in the heart of the city (35,000 square meters). MIT Technology Review ranks Paris among the World’s Top Eight Innovation Clusters. Your rent may be expensive, your apartment at the beginning may be small, but you can dream big in Paris.”
7. Warsaw, Poland: Best IT Investment
The capital of Poland, Warsaw, ranked best for investments in IT, finance, low operating expenses.
Best for: IT, finance, low operating expenses, international companies.
Poland is seen as one of the best destinations for companies to invest in Europe, whether multinational or SME.
“Poland offers many favourable tax incentives that are particularly attractive in Warsaw, the capital city of this big and attractive country,” EBD explains.
“Warsaw is considered has been ranked among the most investor friendly destination in the country, with the rents as well as the salaries on average 60% cheaper than in Berlin and two times cheaper than in Dublin, for example. And the market has a rich offer IT and financial professionals.”
Warsaw has a modern airport well connected to the rest of Europe and borders with other countries and markets including Hungary, Romania and Slovakia, all of which offer skilled workers at competitive prices. Warsaw is in the same time zone as Paris, Milan and Barcelona, allowing easy synchronization with all the capitals of Europe.
Safety is two times greater than that of Barcelona, according to European crime data.
Poland also boasts one of Europe’s highest rates of economic growth, while latest national elections are strengthening ties between Poland and its European Union partners.
8. La Gomera, Canary Island, Spain: Best FIRE Investment
La Gomera, one of the Canary Islands ranked best to invest in financial independence retired early … [+]
Best for: financial independence retired early (FIRE), family reconversion projects, nature lovers, tourist industry
“A solid professional project can be built in the sun,” EBD says. “Combine real estate investment, seasonal rental and remote working while taking advantage of a large pool of high-skills locals and foreigners speaking several languages including German, English and Spanish.”
With after-work activities in nature, surfing, hiking and beaches, La Gomera, one of the Spanish Canary islands, offers the benefit of an exceptional living environment and the possibility to recruit independent workers for, according to EBD, “coding businesses, distance learning courses (sport, languages, nutritionist, copywriters, video content producers, coaching), or to develop hybrid places mixing co-working and co-living for digital nomads or for the seasonal rental for hikers, surfers, lovers of wild nature.”
The inhabitants of La Gomera are hard workers and respectful of deadlines. Although it is a small island, its proximity to Tenerife, the main island of the Canaries — 50 minutes by boat — renders it most attractive in terms of potential, whether for setting up a hotel project, guest house, restaurant, tourist activity or for remote work.
The price per square meter in La Gomera is €1,932, three times cheaper than in Barcelona and two times cheaper than in Madrid. Short-term rental prices are around €700 per room per month in co-living spaces and up to €1,200 per room per month.
9. Leuven , Belgium: Best Innovation Investment
The university of Leuven, considered among the most open-minded cities in Europe,
Best for: ManuTech, Start-ups, Biotechnology, Foods & Beverages Industries, Innovation, High Skills Employees, Plurilingual.
Considered among the most open-minded cities in Europe, Leuven is a dynamic and surprising destination in Flanders, Belgium. Just 30 minutes from Brussels, the European capital with its international airports and universities, Leuven is also home to some of the most prestigious schools in Europe.
A student city, Leuven offers quality events throughout the year as well as after-hours life for young workers. Real estate prices are more affordable than in the upscale neighborhoods of the Belgian capital with the added advantage of better quality of life and safety.
The level of crime is one of the lowest in Europe, four times lower in Leuven than in Brussels.
“The many well reputed colleges and universities provides companies with well-trained employees, and make Leuven a world player in terms of innovation and development,” says EBD
10. Milan, Italy: Best Fintech and Fashion Investment
Milan, ranked best for investing in fintech, fashion, food, pharma.
Best for: fintech, fashion, food, pharma
Milan has been one of Italy’s economic centers for decades. With more than 800,000 firms headquartered in the regional territory and a regional GDP north of €390 billion, it’s only logical that it numbers among Europe’s top businesses destinations.
With favorable tax laws and fiscal incentives, Milan offers foreign investors a flourishing ecosystem to boost innovation and a strong talent pool at a lower cost than most of its European counterparts.
Nearly half of Italy’s fintech companies are headquartered in Milan and the city stands out as a legendary world fashion capital, with 11,000 companies operating in the sector. Innovation meets know-how and tradition as the best tanneries in Milan now offer vegetable-based leathers that are revolutionizing the fashion industry.