Best Countries to Move to With a Family for HNWIs in 2025

Relocating as a high-net-worth individual is one thing – doing it with your family is something else entirely.

You no longer have to merely worry about tax rates, business setup or residency programs. When you’re moving with your partner and children, the stakes are much, much higher and the moving criteria list can shift dramatically at a moment’s notice.

Is the country safe?

Are there world-class schools?

What’s the healthcare system like?

Or the local infrastructure?

Will your family enjoy a high quality of life – not just a luxurious one?

For nomad families, priorities like education, medical care, long-term security, and family-friendly policies matter more than beach club access or low tax rates alone.

Choosing the right jurisdiction becomes less about only optimising your portfolio and more about protecting and enriching every member of your household.

So, if you’re exploring second residence or even second citizenship options, it’s vital to look beyond the headlines and identify countries that offer not only financial advantages but also the right environment for your family to thrive.

In this guide, the Nomad Capitalist team reveals the top destinations for high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) relocating with their families and explains why they stand out.

Moving Overseas With Your Family 

Typically, high-net-worth individuals have more freedom to choose where to move with their families. 

It’s not just that they can afford to live in any country. They also have the means to take part in a golden visa or citizenship by investment scheme to quickly gain permanent residency in many countries across the world.

However, an abundance of options often leads to more questions. The quality of lifeafforded to your family may be an obvious first consideration. 

You’ll need to investigate how safe and foreigner-friendly a country is, the real estate options, language barriers and the quality of healthcare services.

You might think that wealthy individuals aren’t too bothered about the cost of living, but many are concerned with the rate of tax they’ll pay. After all, a few percentage points could be worth millions of dollars to some. 

Also, the ease of gaining permanent residencyis likely to play a role. Some countries will make you wait years as a temporary resident before qualifying for a permanent residency, while others will give you a passport in exchange for a little over US$200,000. 

The ease with which you can fully escape your home country is a common consideration, especially for US citizens who have to renounce their citizenship to escape the tax net.  

Best Countries to Move to With a Family

This list is based on external studies, our experience dealing with thousands of international clients and the research conducted by our global team. 

1. Norway

Norway and its Scandinavian neighbours are renowned for their extensive family-oriented policies and strong social welfare systems. 

Employees in Norway enjoy generous parental leave benefits, with new parents receiving either 49 weeks of fully paid parental leave or 59 weeks at 80% of their salary. 

Childcare costs are heavily subsidised by the Norwegian government, while the education system continuously ranks among the world’s best. Universities are free for students from EU/EEA countries. 

Norwegian children are taught to be highly independent from a young age. It’s not uncommon to witness a six-year-old walking to school alone, a testament to exceptional safety standards throughout Norway. 

The culture of ‘friluftsliv’, which roughly translates to ‘embracing outdoor life’, is ingrained in Norwegian society, and this further encourages children to be self-reliant from a young age. 

As a member of the European Economic Area (EEA), Norway allows EU citizens to live and work freely within its borders. Additionally, a digital nomad visa is available, and there are also routes for non-EU entrepreneurs to gain residency. 

2. Sweden

Sweden is another highly developed Scandinavian nation with a strong emphasis on family welfare and quality of life.

Sweden’s parents get a combined 480 days to look after newborn children, which is more than that of citizens of any other country, according to the World Economic Forum. 

There is also the flexibility for parents to transfer these days to one another, or even to grandparents or family friends if they wish. 

The country’s focus on well-being extends beyond childcare. Indeed, Sweden’s healthcare system constantly ranks among the best globally, contributing to its citizens’ high life expectancy. 

Sweden has one of Europe’s lowest population densities, mostly due to its expansive northern region, but major cities like Stockholm and Gothenburg offer more vibrant and energetic environments in which to raise a child. 

Currently, there aren’t many obvious immigration routes for investors and entrepreneurs. There is a self-employed visa available, although candidates must be experienced entrepreneurs with good knowledge of Swedish or English. You must also show evidence of your plan to recruit Swedish customers or clients.  

3. Iceland

Iceland ranked third in the most recent World Happiness Index and first in the Global Peace Index. More pertinently, it was named the best country to raise a family in a study of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) nations. 

Iceland is the least densely populated country in Europe. Some 75% of its land is uninhabited, with most people living in or around its capital Reykjavik. 

It’s known for offering a strong work-life balance, including generous parental leave policies. 

You can gain residency in Iceland by establishing a Limited Liability Company (LLC) there or buying stocks in Icelandic businesses, as well as being offered a job by an Icelandic company. 

4. Finland

Finland consistently ranks as the happiest country in the world on the World Happiness Index for factors including citizens’ sense of freedom, safety and economic prosperity.

New Finnish parents are granted 320 days of parental leave, which can be shared between them as they like. Moreover, generous parental allowances are offered by the Finnish government to help cover the cost of raising a child. 

Children start school at age seven, have shorter school days, no standardised testing and minimal homework. 

Yet, this unconventional approach appears to deliver, as Finnish students consistently achieve top rankings in literacy, mathematics and problem-solving skills.

The Finnish economy is strong, offering professional opportunities and excellent public services. Non-EU citizens looking to establish residence in Finland might look toward its Entrepreneur Visa.

5. Portugal

Portugal, Europe’s westernmost country, offers a warm climate, affordable cost of living and a strong emphasis on family values, making it one of Europe’s most welcoming countries for expats with young children.

If you’re keen to embrace pleasant weather all year round and a slower pace of life, this might be the nation for you and your family. 

Portuguese culture focuses heavily on close-knit communities, providing a supportive environment for children. Healthcare and childcare options are improving steadily throughout the country. 

There’s a significant expat community in Portugal, thanks to enticing immigration pathways such as the Golden Visa program. 

The combination of safety, affordability and desirable surroundings make Portugal a strong choice for raising a family in Europe. 

6. Switzerland

Switzerland has long been a favoured destination for high-net-worth individuals thanks to its world-class infrastructure, glorious natural beauty and its abundance of business opportunities. There’s also a fantastic opportunity to save serious money with its lump sum tax scheme. 

The education system in Switzerland has a great reputation, although it’s decentralised, with each canton being given the license to do things differently.

You may want to consider the language barrier when deciding which region of Switzerland to move to. The primary language will be French, German or Italian, depending on where you go. If you’re keen for your children to learn another language, there aren’t many better places. 

Dependent parents can be added to your visa if you apply via the lump sum taxation scheme, as well as your spouse and children under 21. 

The crime levels are drastically low throughout Switzerland, and there’s plenty to enjoy with your family, although it gets very cold during the winter.    

7. Singapore

Singapore has won so many awards for safety and quality of life that it has to be included in any list of amazing places to raise a family. 

This small city-state is a business hotspot, but there’s a strong sense of community within its neighbourhoods. Family life is prioritised among Singapore’s locals. It’s a melting pot of many cultures, so foreign families tend to be welcomed with open arms. 

The education and healthcare systems in Singapore have sterling reputations. It’s simply a place where everything is done well.

Most high-net-worth foreigners can gain residence in Singapore by launching a business there or through its Global Investor Program. Either way, you can include your spouse, children under 21 and physically challenged children of any age in your application.  

8. Ireland

Ireland ranks well in many studies based on the world’s happiest and safest countries.

In 2024, it was found to be the second healthiest country to raise a family, based on factors like clean air, clean water and levels of physical activity among children. 

The crime rate in Ireland is also much lower than that of most other developed nations in Europe.  

The economy in Ireland has been thriving for some time, thanks in part to its business-friendly stance. With its high scores for education, you can expect your children to find plenty of exciting professional opportunities here once they reach adulthood. 

English-speaking families might be grateful for not having to learn a new language to fit in with the locals.  

If you’re a wealthy non-EU citizen hoping to move to Ireland, the simplest path is through its Stamp 0 program, although you’ll need to demonstrate passive income of €50,000 per year and a lump sum of around €100,000 to qualify. Alternatively, you can launch a business via the Start-Up Entrepreneur program.

9. Malta

Malta is a popular place for HNWIs to pursue residency and not just because of simple programs like the Maltese Exceptional Investor Naturalisation (MEIN) program or the Malta Permanent Residence Program.

A lot of wealthy individuals use these programs to quickly secure EU residency then move somewhere else, but many see Malta as a wonderful place to stay and raise a family.

You’ll enjoy gorgeous surroundings wherever you live in Malta, and the levels of safety are highly encouraging for parents. 

Maltese residents can access free healthcare. State schools or church schools teach in Maltese, but there are also several reputable private international schools that teach in English.

The aforementioned programs are available to anyone willing to invest in Maltese real estate, although there are a few other criteria. If you pursue residency through either of these programs, you can include your spouse, children, parents and grandparents as part of the application. 

Best Country to Move to With a Family: FAQs

Discover the Best Country to Move to in 2025

Ultimately, the best country to relocate your family to depends on more than just a checklist – it comes down to your vision for the future.

That’s why choosing the right location requires deeper research than browsing online rankings or chasing tax incentives. When your family’s security, education and quality of life are on the line, doing the research – and getting expert advice – is critical.

Spending time on the ground, understanding the culture and testing the lifestyle before making a permanent move is always a shrewd move and a good accompaniment to building a strategy that aligns with your long-term goals.

At Nomad Capitalist, we help investors and entrepreneurs go where they’re treated best, regardless of whether that means relocating a business, securing a second citizenship or finding the ideal place to raise a family abroad.

We pair our clients with specialists in tax, investment strategy, asset protection and immigration to create and execute bespoke strategies that match their personal and financial goals. Ready to build your family’s future? Get in touch and we can build it together.