Fortune Best Cities in Europe For Business 2024

December 4, 2024 ndowd

Europe is a hub for global business, offering a dynamic mix of innovation, talent, and quality of life. From established economic powerhouses to emerging hubs, the continent is a rich landscape for entrepreneurs, investors, startups and corporations alike. The 2024 edition of the Fortune Best Cities in Europe for Business highlights the top 50 hubs excelling in key metrics, including quality of life, economic vitality, and attractiveness to business. These cities also lead in sustainability, technology, and the green economy.

We evaluated population size; labor productivity; migration; corporate and personal tax rates; cost of living; the prevalence of Fortune 500 Europe companies; ranking of the top local university, number of robberies; sunshine hours; local perceptions of the quality of living; inhabitants’ overall satisfaction with the city; travel times to the airport by car and by public transport, amongst others. Click here to read the full methodology.

Whether you’re expanding your network or seeking new investment opportunities, these 50 cities are poised to be the epicenters of growth and success in the coming year.

Discover the top European destinations for business:

1. Zurich, Switzerland
2. Vienna, Austria
3. Munich, Germany
4. Luxembourg, Luxembourg
5. Dublin, Ireland
6. Genève, Switzerland
7. Copenhagen, Demark
8. Oslo, Norway
9. Amsterdam, Netherlands
10. Graz, Austria

Graz in Austria is ranked number 10 on our list. The city is a leader in automotive, green tech, and IT sectors, with strong research and development networks.

Oleh_Slobodeniuk via Getty

11. Aalborg, Denmark
12. Rennes, France
13. Hamburg, Germany
14. Strasbourg, France
15. Groningen, Netherlands
16. Rotterdam, Netherlands
17. Prague, Czechia
18. Stockholm, Sweden
19. Düsseldorf, Germany,
20. Brussels, Belgium
21. Helsinki, Finland
22. Antwerp, Belgium
23. Stuttgart, Germany
24. London, United Kingdom
25. Tallinn, Estonia
26. Bordeaux, France
27. Frankfurt am Main, Germany
28. Paris, France
29. Nürnberg, Germany
30. Cardiff, United Kingdom
31. Berlin, Germany

Berlin is ideal for business due to its central location, thriving start-up scene, diverse industries, skilled workforce, and relatively low costs.

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32. Manchester, United Kingdom
33. Madrid, Spain
34. Dresden, Germany
35. Warsaw, Poland
36. Belfast, United Kingdom
37. Gdansk, Poland
38. Vilnius, Lithuania
39. Leipzig, Germany
40. Lefkosia, Cyprus
41. Ostrava, Czechia
42. Malmö, Sweden
43. Glasgow, United Kingdom
44. Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
45. Lille, France
46. Budapest, Hungary
47. Málaga, Spain
48. Kraków, Poland
49. Barcelona, Spain

An aerial view of Barcelona. The city is a good hub for business due to its thriving innovation ecosystem, robust infrastructure, and dynamic talent pool from leading global universities.

Pol Albarrán via Getty

50. Valetta, Malta

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