The best European cities for freelancers

Working abroad if you are freelance

Working abroad as a freelancer can offer numerous opportunities. According to the “Digital Nomad Index 2021” ranking drawn up by MBO Partners, the best countries for working as a freelancer are Norway, Switzerland and Canada, thanks to policies favorable to self-employed workers, high-quality digital infrastructures and quality of life. Furthermore, working as a freelancer abroad can offer the opportunity to expand your professional network and acquire new skills.
The choice to move from Italy to a European country can be guided by various factors; consequently it may make sense to evaluate which are the best cities to move to for work based on various factors.

Best European cities to move to for work

As regards the best European cities to move to for work, the annual «European Cities of the Future 2020/21» ranking drawn up by fDi Intelligence has ranked London in first place as the most attractiveness for foreign investmentsfollowed by Paris and Dublin. However, Numbeo’s “Quality of Life Index 2021” ranked Zurich first as the European city with the best quality of lifefollowed by Bern and Lugano.

Here are some additional official rankings on the best European cities to work:

• Savills’ «European Tech Cities 2020» ranking classified Berlin as the best European city for tech startups, followed by Stockholm and London;
• According to the «European Cities Monitor 2020» ranking by Cushman & Wakefield, London was classified as the most attractive European city for real estate investments and for the presence of multinational companies. Paris and Frankfurt follow soon after;
• Eurostat’s «European Regional Economic Growth Index 2020» classified Prague as the European city with the fastest economic growth, followed by Bratislava and Warsaw;
• Finally, according to the «Expat City Ranking 2020» by InterNations, Valencia, Alicante and Lisbon are the most suitable European cities for expats thanks to the quality of life, the ease of adapting to the local culture and job opportunities.

Things to know if you are going to work abroad in Europe

If you are a citizen of the European Union, the ease of working abroad in a European city may be greater thanks to Europe’s free movement of workers policies. Under European Union rules, European citizens have the right to live and work in any EU country without the need for a work visa, residence permit or letter of invitation. However, you still need to register with the local authorities in your destination country and obtain a local tax number. Furthermore, the right to free movement may be limited for some categories of workers, for example those working in certain regulated professions or those who have been convicted of certain crimes.

Ultimately, this freedom of movement does not apply to doctors, architects, lawyers and any other profession that requires qualification from a national register, even if it is possible to assert one’s qualifications obtained from Italian universities also abroad, subject to obtaining qualification also in the host European (and non-European) countries.

It is worth finding out how to apply for a local tax number and how to open a VAT number. There are many useful websites for finding information for those who want to work abroad in Europe as a freelancer:

• EURES (European Employment Services): the European portal for professional mobility, which offers information on job opportunities throughout the European Union, as well as on workers’ rights and duties;
• European Freelancers Week: a week of online events dedicated to freelance professionals in Europe, offering opportunities for training, networking and information on market trends;
• Europass: a portal providing information on training, qualifications and skills recognized at European level, as well as standardized templates for CVs and cover letters;
• Coworking Europe: a portal offering information on the coworking community in Europe, with an interactive map of coworking facilities, information on market trends and networking opportunities;
• European Startup Network: a network of European startups offering information on investment opportunities, networking events and mentoring opportunities for freelance professionals;
• European Digital SME Alliance: a European association representing small and medium-sized businesses in the digital sector, offering information on market trends, funding opportunities and European policies to support innovation.

Advantages of working in a European city if you are freelance

If you decide to start or practice your freelance profession in a European city, you should consider some advantages, first of all the openness to new cultures and the possibility of new opportunities in rapidly expanding markets.
In the meantime, it is good to start from an important factor: according to the «Global Talent Competitiveness Index 2020» report, Europe is one of the most competitive continents in the world for talent and sees cities such as Amsterdam, Berlin, Barcelona and Lisbon leading among the various rankings of the most welcoming cities in the world for freelancers.

Another practical advantage of working in a European city as a freelancer is the dense and solid network of connections in terms of transport and digital infrastructure, making it easier to move from one place to another and work on the move.
Additionally, many European cities offer a wide range of coworking spaces and self-employed communities, creating opportunities to meet and collaborate with other industry professionals.

Ultimately, working in a European city as a freelancer offers numerous practical and qualitative advantages, which can improve the quality of work and life of the self-employed professional.

Insurance coverage for a freelancer who decides to work in a European city

If you are a freelancer working abroad, it is important to have adequate insurance coverage to protect yourself and your work. Here are some recommended insurance coverages for freelance professionals working abroad: International health insurance; Civil liability insurance, to protect the freelancer from any damage caused to third parties during the work, for example damage caused to property or people; Work-related damage insurance, to protect the freelancer from any damage or loss caused by their work; Insurance against work interruption, theft or loss of work equipment, to protect the freelancer in the event of work interruption due to illness or injury, loss of equipment and other unforeseen events.

It is important to research the different insurance options available and choose the ones that best suit the freelancer’s personal and professional needs.