Relocating can be a transformative experience. Many choose to move abroad to reunite with family, start a new job, or embark on an exciting adventure. It opens the door to experiencing new cultures, broadens your perspective, and creates memories that last a lifetime.
However, moving abroad can be just as overwhelming as it is exciting.
Learning from the experiences of other expats can make the process less daunting and help guide your choices, from your destination country to the international removals company you choose. That’s why we’ve analysed the trends, for the second year running, to uncover where people are relocating most. Let’s take a closer look at the top destinations people are interested in moving to this year.
Key findings
- Canada is the most desirable country to relocate to globally, with over 269,000 annual Google searches, just like in our 2024 study
- Canada ranked as the top relocation destination among 75 countries worldwide
- The United States is the most popular destination for UK movers, followed by the UAE and Australia
- New York City is the most searched US city among UK residents, ahead of Los Angeles and Miami
- New York City also had the most removal enquiries in the past two years
- English-speaking and sunny destinations continue to dominate global relocation trends, showing that movers are motivated by lifestyle and language
The most desirable countries to move to
We looked at Google searches from around the world to reveal which countries people are most interested in relocating to. Analysing searches for moving to, living in, and emigrating to, these are the most-searched places to migrate to.
| Rank | Country | Total relocation searches |
| 1 | Canada | 269,220 |
| 2 | Australia | 207,900 |
| 3 | Ireland | 179,400 |
| 4 | New Zealand | 177,700 |
| 5 | Japan | 172,880 |
| 6 | Portugal | 170,030 |
| 7 | Costa Rica | 127,880 |
| 8 | Spain | 127,670 |
| 9 | Netherlands | 127,100 |
| 10 | Thailand | 126,960 |
- Canada – 269,220 relocation searches
Canada takes the top spot, just like last year, with over 269,000 annual relocation searches. Known for its friendly communities, excellent quality of life, and breathtaking natural landscapes, it’s no surprise that Canada continues to attract global attention.
Whether you choose a city like Toronto or Vancouver, or a scenic countryside town, Canada offers a mix of exciting and peaceful living.
- Australia – 207,900 relocation searches
Australia follows closely behind with just over 207,000 searches globally in the last year. The land down under is a firm favourite thanks to its sunny climate, strong economy, and relaxed lifestyle.
With world-class healthcare and education systems, Australia appeals to families and professionals, although the high cost of living in major cities is an important consideration.
- Ireland – 179,400 relocation searches
Ireland secures third place, taking the spot from New Zealand, which ranked third last year, with nearly 180,000 relocation searches from around the world.
The country’s welcoming atmosphere, growing job market, and cultural charm make it an attractive option for movers.
Its proximity to the UK and strong sense of community continue to draw people looking for a balance between opportunity and familiarity.
Where people around the world want to move
We analysed global search trends to find out which destinations are the most popular among people looking to move abroad. These are the countries that appeared most often as the top choice for relocation across multiple nations.
| Rank | Country | Number of Countries |
| 1 | Canada | 75 |
| 2 | Australia | 43 |
| 3 | Switzerland | 15 |
| 4 | Ireland | 9 |
| 5 | New Zealand | 8 |
| 6 | Spain | 6 |
| 6 | United States | 6 |
| 8 | Japan | 5 |
| 9 | Brazil | 4 |
| 9 | Germany | 4 |
- Canada – Top relocation destination for 75 countries
Canada takes the lead as the most desired relocation destination, ranking first in 75 countries worldwide, just like last year.
Its high standard of living, world-class healthcare, and welcoming culture make it a top choice for people seeking safety, stability, and opportunity.
- Australia – Top relocation destination for 43 countries
Australia is the top relocation choice in 43 countries, ranking second overall for the second year running. Its outdoor-oriented lifestyle and gorgeous weather continue to attract people from across the globe.
Offering career opportunities and a change in pace, Australia remains one of the world’s most aspirational places to call home.
- Switzerland – Top relocation destination for 15 countries
Switzerland ranks as the top relocation destination in 15 countries, appealing to those drawn to its clean environment, strong economy, and good quality of life. Last year, Spain took third place, making Switzerland a new top-three destination for 2025.
Renowned for its safety, efficient infrastructure, and stunning Alpine scenery, Switzerland offers a peaceful yet prosperous lifestyle, making it particularly attractive to professionals and families seeking a secure and scenic new home.
Which US cities do people want to move to from the UK?
According to Google search data in the last year, and 1st Move International 1st Move International enquiries over the last two years, UK residents are particularly interested in relocating to a select few American cities. As demand for international removals to the USA rises, for the first time, we reveal the top destinations among UK relocators.
| Rank | City | State | Total relocation searches | Relocation Interest score/ 10 |
| 1 | New York City | New York | 11,460 | 10.00 |
| 2 | Los Angeles | California | 4,490 | 9.81 |
| 3 | Austin | Texas | 2,030 | 9.26 |
| 4 | San Francisco | California | 1,940 | 9.17 |
| 5 | Miami | Florida | 2,320 | 9.08 |
| 6 | Chicago | Illinois | 1,960 | 8.98 |
| 7 | Boston | Massachusetts | 1,510 | 8.89 |
| 7 | Houston | Texas | 1,270 | 8.89 |
| 9 | Seattle | Washington | 1,340 | 8.15 |
| 10 | Atlanta | Georgia | 870 | 8.06 |
- New York City – Relocation interest score: 10.00/10
New York City tops the list, with over 11,000 searches related to moving from the UK, and the most relocation enquiries received by 1st Move International. The city’s fast-paced lifestyle, iconic landmarks, and career opportunities draw in people of all walks of life.
As one of the most famous cities in the world, NYC offers a dynamic environment for those seeking a big city adventure.
- Los Angeles – Relocation interest score: 9.81/10
Los Angeles comes in second, attracting nearly 4,500 searches from UK residents for living and moving there. It also recorded the second-highest number of relocation enquiries received by 1st Move International since the start of 2024.
The city is renowned for its sunny weather, vibrant celebrity scene, and dynamic culture. With a mix of beaches and mountains, LA appeals to families and individuals looking for a balance between career opportunities and entertainment.
- Austin – Relocation interest score: 9.26/10
The capital of the quintessential American state, Texas, completes the top three, attracting more than 2,000 searches in the last 12 months. It was also one of the top 10 cities for removal enquiries received by 1st Move International in the last two years.
With its booming economy, warm climate, and Southern culture, the city attracts UK residents seeking career opportunities and the all-American experience.
Which countries did people move to from the UK?
Using our internal data, we’ve identified the countries UK residents have most frequently relocated to in 2025. When it comes to making the big move abroad, these three destinations remain the top choices for Brits.
| Rank | Country |
| 1 | United States of America |
| 2 | Australia |
| 3 | United Arab Emirates |
| 4 | Canada |
| 5 | South Africa |
| 6 | Cyprus |
| 7 | New Zealand |
| 8 | Singapore |
| 9 | Saudi Arabia |
| 10 | Malta |
- United States
The USA is the most popular destination for UK movers. With its diverse cities, career opportunities, and wide range of lifestyles, it appeals to families, young professionals, and students all the same.
The shared language makes the transition smoother, while the country’s unique scale offers something for everyone, from bustling cities to quiet countryside escapes.
- Australia
Australia ranks second, offering a perfect blend of career opportunities, outdoor living, and cultural diversity.
The country’s laid-back lifestyle, high-quality healthcare and education, and stunning natural landscapes make it a popular choice for UK residents seeking a fresh start abroad.
Like the USA and the UAE, English is the primary language, making the move easier for British expats.
- United Arab Emirates
The UAE takes third place, with Dubai and Abu Dhabi being popular destinations. Known for its modern infrastructure, safety, and year-round sunshine, the UAE offers an attractive lifestyle for expats.
Tax-free income, luxury amenities, and a multicultural environment make it particularly appealing to families and professionals interested in advancing their careers while enjoying a high standard of living.
2026 Trend Predictions
Expert insights from Mike Harvey, Managing Director at 1st Move International:
“As we look ahead to 2026 relocations, we expect many of the world’s most popular moving destinations to maintain their strong appeal.
“We’re seeing a clear pattern of consistency at the top, with destinations like the United States, United Arab Emirates, and Australia remaining firm favourites among UK movers.
“Canada also shows no sign of slowing down, consistently performing well year after year.
“However, the lasting appeal of smaller, lifestyle-focused countries such as Cyprus and New Zealand is particularly interesting. These destinations offer a slower pace of life without compromising on opportunity, which is increasingly important to movers across the last few years.”
Methodology
1st Move International is a specialist international moving and shipping company offering expert packing, shipping, and insurance services for household goods and personal effects.
With a global reach covering over 80 countries and 6,500 worldwide destinations, we provide tailored solutions for a stress-free relocation.
With expertise in international removals, we wanted to reveal the top relocation destinations and our predictions for 2026.
Google searches made worldwide between September 2024 and August 2025 were used to identify the most desirable countries to move to according to Google Ads Keyword Planner. The search terms ‘Emigrate to [COUNTRY], Living in [COUNTRY]’ and ‘Move to [COUNTRY]’ were used.
We then used the search term ‘Move to [COUNTRY]’ during the same time period in 157 countries to source the countries people want to relocate to the most for each country.
Enquiries received by 1st Move International between January 2024 and September 2025 were used to source the US cities people want to move to from the UK. Data on the countries people want to move to is based on internal data from January 2025 to September 2025.
A normalised ‘Relocation Interest score’ out of 10 was given to each US city based on the number of removal enquiries received by 1st Move International and the number of Google searches made from the UK, with each factor given equal weighting.
About 1st Move International
1st Move International are a specialist international moving and shipping company offering packing, shipping, and insurance for household goods and personal effects overseas. With a global network covering over 80 countries and 6,500 destinations, we provide safe, fast, and reliable relocation services. You can get an international removals quote, or find more information on our international moving services. We specialise in international removals to some of the world’s most popular destinations, including the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Dubai.
