Top 10 European Cities To Launch A Career In Finance

From the City of London to Paris’ La Défense arena, Europe is home to some of the financial powerhouses of the world—here are the top 10 European cities

For business school graduates, a career in finance can be highly rewarding—especially in Europe.

With hiring plans for Master in Finance graduates projected to double over the next five years, according to the 2024 Corporate Recruiters Survey by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), there’s a wealth of opportunities in the continent.

But choosing the right location to launch your finance career can significantly impact your future.

The Global Financial Centers Index (GFCI) 36 evaluates and ranks 121 financial centers worldwide, drawing on data from sources such as the World Bank and the United Nations.

Factors such as robust infrastructure, a business-friendly environment, access to a highly skilled workforce, global connectivity, and a solid reputation for stability are all key considerations in the ranking.

In 2024, seven European cities landed in the GFCI’s top 20 global financial centers, including two in the top 10.

Here are the top 10 cities in Europe to launch a career in finance:

1. London, UK

London continues to solidify its position as a global financial powerhouse, ranked second worldwide, just behind New York, and ahead of prominent hubs including Hong Kong, Singapore, and San Francisco.

The capital city ranks first in Europe across all financial sectors, and in the top three worldwide for insurance, banking, professional services, government and regulatory, and fintech.

London is also home to several leading business schools, including London Business School. The school claims the eighth best MBA program in the world according to the Financial Times Global MBA Ranking, and the fourth best Master in Finance in the world according to the QS Master in Finance Ranking 2025.

Read our London Business School Class Profile

2. Frankfurt, Germany

Frankfurt, the second-best financial hub in Europe, is home to both the European Central Bank and the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management.

The city has risen three spots in the latest rankings, now securing seventh place globally for fintech and ranking third in Europe for investment management.

Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg also featured in the global top 50 financial centers, making Germany a key destination for launching a career in finance.

3. Geneva, Switzerland

Despite slipping from seventh to 13th place worldwide, Geneva remains a highly competitive financial center. The city boasts the 10th best business environment globally and ranks in the top 15 across several key financial sectors.

Geneva’s stable financial ecosystem continues to attract international talent and investment, with more than 200 private banks and wealth management companies located in the city.

4. Dublin, Ireland

Dublin has emerged as a key player in Europe’s financial landscape, jumping an impressive 11 places to claim 14th position globally, and breaking into the top 20 financial centers worldwide.

Trinity Business School and UCD Smurfit School are both located in the city, offering the 66th and 91st best MBA programs in the world, respectively.

5. Paris, France

Paris’ business district, La Défense, stands as one of the leading financial districts in the continent. Alongside London, Paris is the only European city to feature among the 15 cities most likely to increase in global significance in finance.

The capital city is also home to prestigious business schools, including HEC Paris, which boasts the second-best Master in Finance program globally, according to QS.

6. Zurich, Switzerland

In Europe, Zurich ranks second only to London in both government and regulatory sectors, and professional services, with both areas placing in the global top 10.

The largest city in Switzerland is known for its political and economic stability, making it a strong choice for finance professionals looking to build long-term careers in Europe.

7. Luxembourg, Luxembourg

As the capital of the world’s wealthiest country by GDP per capita, Luxembourg is a major European financial center and a hub for many European Union institutions.

The city places 13th globally by the GFCI, and third in Europe for infrastructure, government and regulatory sectors, and professional services.

8. Lugano, Switzerland

Lugano is Switzerland’s third city to break into the top 10. Climbing nine spots this year to 26th place worldwide, the city has seen significant growth in its global financial standing.

With close access to cities such as both Milan and Zurich, Lugano benefits from its proximity to some of the best cities for business in Europe.

9. Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Amsterdam is the 27th best financial center in the world according to the GCFI. Situated in the Dutch capital is Amsterdam Business School, which boasts the 61st best Master in Finance in the world according to the Financial Times Rankings 2024.

10. Edinburgh, UK

Edinburgh stands as the second UK city to feature in the top 10 financial hubs in Europe, ranking 29th globally and 10th in the region.

That’s not at all, however. Scotland boasts two cities in the top 50 worldwide, with Glasgow securing 37th place.

Edinburgh is also home to the University of Edinburgh Business School, which offers one of the most affordable MBA programs in the UK.

Europe has a lot to offer when it comes to building a successful career in finance. Whether you’re drawn to the financial districts of London and Frankfurt or the emerging markets of Dublin and Luxembourg, you’ll find ample opportunities to thrive in some of the world’s most competitive environments.

Europe

Student Reviews

Frankfurt School of Finance & Management

Student

Verified

11/11/2019

Modern and global

Frankfurt School provided me with one of the best experiences of my life. I was an Erasmus student for a semester and could learn a lot. I took some mainstream courses like marketing and supply chain management, but also some innovative courses like applied persuasion and event planning. The professors are not only germans but from different parts of the world, mostly with international experience. The student life is great, the FS Bulls are a great community that is definitely worth being a part of. The best part is the campus, newly built with ultra modern architecture located in on the of the best neighbourhoods in Frankfurt am Main. You can find accomodation right next to it, many student residences at a fair price.

Student

Verified

30/09/2019

Career Oriented

I am a first year at the Frankfurt School and have been a prt of it for only a month; however, I can say for sure that the university provides its students with all the opportunities to grow professionally and personally. The majority of the professors are or have been successful professionals who easily relate the course material with real life and make lectures enjoyable. The extra curricular activities provided by the university are also a great step to life after graduation and give a head start for the students career.

Student

Verified

27/09/2019

University giving its students education of high quality and career prospects.

This university has helped me gain knowledge and experiences, that I lacked in my home country. Being in a great international surrounding, I have the opportunity to prosper and learn every day. The study program is very engaging, and the lecturers help you grow.

Student

Verified

17/11/2019

FSFM

I’m a bachelor student at Frankfurt School of Finance and Management and my overall experience was better than I expected. The classes have a small number of students, which makes the relationship with the professor better because they become easier to approach. During my years of study, I had both practical and theoretical classes, like innovation management, big data & analytics, econometrics. But the theories and concepts are directly applied to real-life problems due to many professors working in banks or consultancies, which is really good. FS supports students in finding internships and semesters abroad, but when it comes to housing not so much because it’s not that easy in Frankfurt. FS offers dorms, but it is only to a limited amount of students and the facilities aren’t the best. In terms of student organizations, there are a lot of different sport clubs for almost every kind of sport, also student consulting, student investment club, student politics club, music, arts, etc. Living in Frankfurt is good, it is very multicultural in Germany, with lots of cultural actives, museums, parks, etc. The nightlife is also nice with proper nightclubs compared to the size of the city, Gibson, Velvet, Adlib to name a few, and there also is a bar district in Alt-Sachsenhausend and a lot of bars where bankers go in the city center. The campus is not really comparable to an actual campus like the American universities, but it’s a big modern building that was built 2 years ago. I would definitely recommend it to a friend if you're willing to pay that much for uni, because there are still a lot of public unis in Germany that are comparably good (Mannheim, Goethe, LMU Munich...).