An idyllic part of Spain is named the friendliest city for British expats to move to - full list

New research by digital financial services provider Remitly, who surveyed more than 2,000 Spaniards as part of a study.

It looked at both positive behaviours, such as treating people equally, helping others feel at ease and showing empathy, and negative behaviours, including criticising or insulting others, holding grudges and acting out of self-interest.

Bilbao was named the top city, with a "Friendliness Score" of 72.53 out of 100. Residents ranked particularly highly for respecting others, accepting people for who they are and making others feel at ease.

Friendliest cities

• Bilbao (72.53)
• Zaragoza (72.34)
• Valladolid (72.30)
• Málaga (72.30)
• Palma (72.26)
• Seville (72.21)
• Vigo (72.16)
• Murcia (72.06)
• Gijón (71.99)
• Madrid (71.92)
• Valencia (71.31)
• Córdoba (71.26)
• Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (71.24)
• Barcelona (70.89)
• Alicante (70.78)

Bilbao is a vibrant city in Spain's Basque Country, known for great food and wine, with easy access to the famous Rioja wine region.

Residents also recorded the highest level of disagreement with the statement “I often insult people”. Some 87 per cent of locals said it does not describe them, which also helped put the area at the top of the list.

It was closely followed by Zaragoza, which scored 72.34 out of 100. British expats in the city will find considerate locals who are less likely to make demands of others.

CEO of Remitly Europe, Eva Borislavova, said: “Friendliness plays a huge role in how we experience a city or country, especially when moving somewhere new or travelling. Sometimes just one warm interaction with a stranger can turn a difficult day around and help you feel more at home.

"Last year, we explored which countries around the world are home to the friendliest people, and Spain ranked highly. This inspired us to look more closely at how friendliness varies regionally.

"All cities scored well for friendliness, but some revealed even higher levels of respectful, empathetic and patient behaviours, which are traits that can make settling into a new city even smoother.

"For anyone considering a move to a new city in Spain, we hope this data offers reassurance: friendly communities are ready to make that big life change a little easier.”

As more Britons look to move to Spain, research found the picturesque region with the highest number of available homes for sale.