Tokyo is most expensive city for expatriates and Oslo the most expensive city in Europe. - According to the latest ECA International survey into the cost of living for expatriates, Tokyo became the most expensive city in the world in 2010. Oslo is the most expensive city in Europe and stole first place from Copenhagen (3rd). Stavanger, also in Norway, is the second most expensive city in Europe, whereas Chisinau, the Moldavian capital, is the least expensive, followed by Minsk and Kiev. According to ECA International, currency fluctuations constitute the most influential factor on cost-of-living changes. This study was based on a basket of goods and services consumed by expatriates. It compares prices in 400 cities and places in the world. The cost of living for expatriates depends on inflation, the availability of products and currency exchanges. In Europe: 1) the price of oil and Norway's good reputation among investors have contributed to strengthening the country's currency and the fact that Oslo is the most expensive city on the continent; 2) certain Swiss cities (Geneva 4th place; Zurich 5th place; Berne 6th place; and Basel 7th place) as well as Helsinki (8th), Moscow (9th) and Paris (10th) are also at the top of the European list; 3) Russian cities fell last year due to the low value of the rouble but have risen again in this category, together with rising oil prices; 4) Swedish cities have experienced the sharpest level of inflation, due to their particularly high currency rates. Like Norway, Sweden is also a particularly favourite investor destination. Stockholm is in 10th place; 5) the low rate of sterling, in comparison to its level before the economic crisis, has provoked a fall in prices for visitors to the United Kingdom. London is less expensive (Central London is 39th and Outer London 46th) than other European cities such as Brussels (13th), Munich (18th) and Amsterdam (30th). British cities also remain the least expensive in Europe on the same level as Prague (54th), Warsaw (59th) and even Budapest (61st). (I.L./transl.fl)