London – For expat entrepreneurs planning to launch their ventures in 2025, Europe is emerging as a particularly promising destination. A new ranking by international insurer William Russell highlights the top 10 countries on the continent where foreign founders are most likely to thrive.
The assessment analyzed six key indicators: startup density, one-year survival rates, venture capital investment, coworking infrastructure, workforce participation, and billionaire founder count. Using percentile-based scoring, each country was assigned an overall “expat entrepreneur score.”
At the top of the list, the United Kingdom earned a commanding lead with a score of 8.66. Beyond its £3.15 billion ($4.22 billion) in venture capital funding, the UK’s robust startup pipeline, 18.62 new businesses per 1,000 workers, and strong one-year survival rate underscore its appeal. London remains the epicenter, supported by global investment and a mature entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Sweden followed closely with a score of 8.01, leveraging its highest-in-Europe survival rate of 97.1%. A blend of government grants, R&D incentives, and industry-academia ties underpin the country’s startup resilience. The Netherlands placed third (7.47), combining Amsterdam’s dynamic innovation hub with high workforce participation and strong digital infrastructure.
Switzerland secured fourth place (7.37), offering deep financial resources and access to capital, despite regulatory complexity and high living costs. Cyprus rounded out the top five (6.77), with strong new business density and survival rates but limited local venture funding.
The remainder of the list showcases Norway (6.29), Iceland (6.13), Estonia (6.08), Luxembourg (6.08), and Belgium (5.97). Each presents a distinct balance of opportunity and challenge: from Estonia’s digital-first policies and Luxembourg’s coworking density to Iceland’s entrepreneurial churn and Belgium’s hiring complexities.
While the rankings reflect unique national contexts, the broader message is clear: Europe offers fertile ground for expat entrepreneurs. Nations that blend robust ecosystems with supportive policy frameworks are setting the stage for international founders to test and scale their ideas.
As 2025 approaches, expats weighing a relocation decision must consider not only capital flows and infrastructure, but also long-term survival prospects. With innovation networks deepening and venture ecosystems diversifying, Europe’s entrepreneurial map continues to evolve — offering multiple entry points for the next generation of global founders.
