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Spain has come top in a study assessing quality of life across Europe, making it prime for relocation.

Britain and Ireland have the highest average incomes in Europe, but come bottom in terms of quality of life, while Spain is at the top of the index, according to a study published by U-Switch, a British service comparison website.

As reported by Expatica, Brits pay sky-high prices for fuel, food and other essentials, while having among the shortest holidays, latest retirement age and lowest life expectancy, according to the European Quality of Life Index, presenting findings from ten European countries.

Ireland, which like Britain has seen a huge market-driven economic boom over the last decade, is even worse than Britain, coming in last in the Index by U-Switch.

"We may earn substantially more than our European neighbours but when it comes to quality of life we remain the sick man of Europe," said Ann Robinson, director of consumer policy at U-Switch.

"Soaring food prices and inflation, not to mention high property costs, are placing the biggest squeeze on disposable incomes in well over a decade," she added, noting also below-average investment in health and education services.

The study assessed 19 factors affecting quality of life, ranging from income and working conditions to healthcare, education and cost of living.

Brits have the highest average income in Europe, but pay between up to 18 per cent more for fuel and 49 per cent more for gas, while facing spectacularly high housing costs.

At work, Ireland comes worst in terms of retirement age, with an average of 64.1 years, followed by Britain on 63.2 years, compared to 62 year in Spain. Life expectancy is 78.1 years in Ireland and 78.9 years in Britain, the lowest barring Poland.

At the other end of the scale, Spaniards have the lowest average income, at an average £16,800, but low taxation and cheaper essential goods prices put them at the top of the overall quality of life indicator.

The high number of public holidays bring the average number of days holiday to 36 each year, making our average of 28 days including bank holidays look a bit meagre in comparison!

Furthermore, while England and Ireland experience the fewest hours of sunshine in Europe, Spain benefits from the most, giving them plenty of options for enjoying all that free time. They even have a longer life expectancy than us, making it to almost 80 years on average.

Clearly, when it comes to the good life, income is less important than free time, sunshine and cheap commodities, making it more appealing than ever to move to Spain.

Full story from www.homesworldwide.co.uk