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Fortune Best Cities in Europe for Business 2024

Fortune Editors
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Fortune Editors
Fortune Editors
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December 4, 2024, 1:45 AM ET

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.

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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; among other factors. 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. Geneva, Switzerland
7. Copenhagen, Denmark
8. Oslo, Norway
9. Amsterdam, Netherlands
10. Graz, Austria

Graz, Austria, is ranked No. 10 on our list. The city is a leader in the automotive, green tech, and IT sectors, with strong research and development networks.
Oleh_Slobodeniuk/Getty Images

11. Aalborg, Denmark
12. Rennes, France
13. Hamburg, Germany
14. Strasbourg, France
15. Groningen, Netherlands
16. Rotterdam, Netherlands
17. Prague, Czech Republic
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. Nuremberg, Germany
30. Cardiff, United Kingdom
31. Berlin, Germany

Berlin is ideal for business owing to its central location, thriving startup scene, diverse industries, skilled workforce, and relatively low costs.
spreephoto.de via Getty Images

32. Manchester, United Kingdom
33. Madrid, Spain
34. Dresden, Germany
35. Warsaw, Poland
36. Belfast, United Kingdom
37. Gdańsk, Poland
38. Vilnius, Lithuania
39. Leipzig, Germany
40. Nicosia, Cyprus
41. Ostrava, Czech Republic
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 owing to its thriving innovation ecosystem, robust infrastructure, and dynamic talent pool from leading global universities.
Pol Albarrán—Getty Images

50. Valletta, Malta

Join us at the Fortune Workplace Innovation Summit May 19–20, 2026, in Atlanta. The next era of workplace innovation is here—and the old playbook is being rewritten. At this exclusive, high-energy event, the world’s most innovative leaders will convene to explore how AI, humanity, and strategy converge to redefine, again, the future of work. Register now.
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