Best Countries for Entrepreneurs in Europe
Europe's combination of startup visa programmes, strong digital infrastructure, and access to a 450-million-person single market makes it increasingly attractive for entrepreneurs. From Estonia's e-Residency programme to Portugal's vibrant Lisbon startup scene, European countries offer diverse pathways for founders.
Key facts
- #1: Malta top-ranked Europe country in this list, weighted across 7 dimensions.
- $1,600/mo cheapest in the regional top 10 — Czechia, single-person cost of living.
- Safest: Iceland highest normalised safety score among the regional top 10.
- 37 countries in Europe scored on the dimensions that matter most for this audience.
- $2,159/mo avg mean monthly cost across all qualifying Europe countries.
37 Countries Ranked
Ranked using persona-optimized weights across 7 dimensions. Scores reflect institutional public-domain datasets.
Malta
Southern Europe
Netherlands
Western Europe
Switzerland
Central Europe
Ireland
Western Europe
Iceland
Northern Europe
Portugal
Southern Europe
Slovenia
Southern Europe
Denmark
Northern Europe
Czechia
Central Europe
Germany
Western Europe
Estonia
Northern Europe
Austria
Central Europe
Norway
Northern Europe
United Kingdom
Northern Europe
Belgium
Western Europe
Sweden
Northern Europe
Luxembourg
Western Europe
Finland
Northern Europe
Cyprus
Southern Europe
Hungary
Eastern Europe
Spain
Southern Europe
Poland
Central Europe
Lithuania
Northern Europe
Slovakia
Eastern Europe
Italy
Southern Europe
Croatia
Southern Europe
France
Western Europe
Latvia
Northern Europe
Bulgaria
Southeastern Europe
Greece
Southern Europe
Romania
Eastern Europe
Montenegro
Southeastern Europe
Albania
Southeastern Europe
Serbia
Southeastern Europe
Moldova
Eastern Europe
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Southeastern Europe
North Macedonia
Southeastern Europe
Malta
Southern Europe
Malta excels in your top priority (infrastructure) with a score of 95, backed by strong career.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which European countries are easiest to start a business in?
Are there startup visas in Europe?
What are corporate tax rates for entrepreneurs in Europe?
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These rankings show averages. A premium report uses YOUR income, nationality, and priorities to calculate real tax rates, visa eligibility, city-level prices, and a 90-day action plan.
This plan is not currently for sale while its figures are being re-verified against their sources.
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