Ireland named the best country in Europe for ‘life-work balance’ 

Ireland tops the European Life-Work Balance Index for the second year running, maintaining its claim as Europe’s best place to live and work, with a score of 82.89 out of 100. 

2025’s European Life-Work Balance Index is the fourth annual report published by global employment expert Remote. The index ranks every country in Europe based on several workplace indicators, like statutory annual leave, paid maternity leave, sick leave, healthcare, public safety, public happiness, LGBTQ+ inclusivity, and average hours worked.

Each European country has been assessed using a ‘life-work balance score’ out of 100.

Pipping Iceland to the post — and besting the neighbour United Kingdom by a significant margin — Ireland tops the European index for the second year, thanks to its generous minimum wage and shorter working week compared to 2024. 

Key findings

Ireland has the best life-work balance in Europe.  Leading the index for the second consecutive year with a score of 82.89 — a 4.22-point increase since 2024 — the Emerald Isle is Europe’s most employee-friendly nation.

The United Kingdom once again misses out on a top 10 spot, but there are encouraging signs. The UK climbs six places in this year’s index, rising from 18th to 13th.

Elsewhere, Nordic nations perform particularly well, as Denmark, Norway, and Iceland each place in the top 10 overall. Iceland ranks second, scoring 77.98 as the ‘safest country in Europe’. 

“In 2025, the idea that productivity must come at the expense of our health or our personal time is being challenged in a serious way. This is especially the case across Europe, where policies are starting to reflect the simple truth that people are not machines. But life-work balance is about more than just working fewer hours," said  Barbara Matthews, Chief People Officer at Remote.

"Employees must be given the time, space, and trust to live fully. When people feel like their lives outside of work are respected, they show up with more focus and resilience. And that’s clearly good for business.”

(Getty Images)

Here’s how Ireland claimed its #1 spot and the other countries that made the top 10 in Remote’s 2025 European Index results: 

1. Ireland — 82.89
Ireland remains the best country in Europe to live and work. The Emerald Isle has improved its life-work balance score by over four points this year, owing to a further improved safety score (the Global Peace Index rates Ireland as one of Europe’s safest countries) and a reduction in average weekly working hours. Ireland is one of Europe’s happiest countries, with a strong Happiness Index score. And while there’s a relatively high cost of living (especially in cities like Dublin), this is offset by a generous minimum wage. At the equivalent of $13.96 per hour, Ireland’s is the sixth-highest in Europe.

2. Iceland — 77.98
Iceland may have a relatively tiny population (c. 398,000) in comparison to most other European nations, but it’s also one of Europe’s most employee-friendly countries. The “Land of Fire and Ice” is considered Europe’s safest and most LGBTQ+-friendly country. Plus, like many of its Nordic neighbours, it’s one of Europe’s happiest nations. Only Finland has a higher score in this regard, with Iceland’s contentment likely influenced by a very generous annual leave entitlement of 40 days, including public holidays.

3. Belgium — 76.41
Jumping one place from fourth in 2024 to third in this year’s index, Belgium has steadily cemented a reputation as one of the best countries in Europe for life-work balance. While it doesn’t top the rankings for any specific metric, Belgium scores consistently well across the board. Only Luxembourg, the United Kingdom, and Germany offer a higher minimum wage than Belgium ($14.58 per hour). Belgians also leave plenty of room for out-of-work endeavours, with an average working week of just 34.1 hours, while the country also has one of the highest public happiness scores outside of the Nordic region. 

4. Denmark — 74.24
The Danes are seen (in the words of Danish-born actor Mads Mikkelsen) as masters of ‘keeping life and work in perfect balance.’ Denmark ranks behind only Finland (and level with Iceland) when it comes to public happiness. At 32.5 hours, it also has Europe’s second-shortest average working week — only the Dutch enjoy more free time than the Danes. Denmark’s policies on statutory annual leave, sick pay, and maternity pay are also among Europe’s most generous.

5. Germany — 73.14
Germany’s work culture is becoming synonymous with a healthy life-work balance. Rising two places this year, Germany’s strong performance is partly down to an increase in statutory sick pay, as well as marked improvements in public safety, happiness, and LGBTQ+ inclusivity. Germany also boasts one of the continent’s highest minimum wages (equivalent to $15.16 per hour, making it the third-highest in Europe) and one of its shortest average working weeks (33.2 hours).

6. Slovenia — 71.89
Rising three spots from ninth in 2025, Slovenia may not be the first country you think of if you’re considering relocating for work, but it shouldn’t be overlooked. One downside is that the average Slovenian working week (37.6 hours) is longer than any other country in the top ten, but on the other hand, Slovenia offers a fairly generous statutory leave entitlement and healthy rates of sick and maternity pay. It’s also considered to be one of the safest European countries to live in, potentially making it a good option for expat families.

7. Finland — 71.84
Ranked as the world’s happiest country for the past eight years, the Finns’ contentment comes down to a combination of factors, such as its low crime rates, high-quality education, gender equality, strong social support system, and its championing of “Everyman's Right” to roam freely among nature. Finland’s workplace culture is likely also a big driver of its high happiness rating, with free time seen as essential. The average working week is just 33.8 hours (one of the shortest in Europe), and an entitlement of 38 days of statutory annual leave, including public holidays, makes Finland one of the most generous countries when it comes to allowing employees to take time off.

8. Norway — 71.77
Norway has dropped two places in this year’s ranking, but remains synonymous with having a strong and inclusive workplace culture. Of the countries in the top ten, only Denmark has a shorter average working week than Norway’s 32.6 hours. The country is also considered the second-most LGBTQ+-friendly country in Europe, behind Iceland. And like many of its neighbours in the Viking Homelands, Norway is among Europe’s most contented nations, with a happiness score of 9.39.

9. Portugal — 70.67
Portugal has entered the top 10 in 2025, rising three places from 12th last year. The country places a strong value on maintaining a healthy work culture, being one of the safest countries to live in Europe. It places fifth overall behind only Switzerland, Austria, Ireland, and Iceland for public safety. Elsewhere, statutory annual leave is amongst the best on the continent. When working in Portugal, you’re entitled to 35 days of paid leave, including public holidays. 

10. Spain — 70.13
Spain may have quite a long average working week (36.3 hours) compared to many of its European counterparts, but the country’s statutory annual leave policy (31 days of paid leave, including public holidays) is among the most generous in Europe. Spain also boasts a strong expat community, which (along with its favorable climate) may be a particular draw for those looking to relocate. 

Are you surprised to see Ireland ranks top again in 2025?