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Largest Cities in Europe by Population 2026 City Proper Ranking

Europe is home to several densely populated cities, many of which have populations exceeding one million within official municipal limits. Population rankings can vary depending on whether city proper, urban agglomeration, or metropolitan area definitions are used. The largest cities in Europe listed below are ranked strictly by city proper population, using 2026 population estimates compiled from various sources.

How are the largest cities in Europe determined?

When we talk about "biggest city," there are three possible definitions:

1. City Proper: The population residing within a city's administrative boundaries.
2. Urban Agglomeration: The population of a city and its physically connected urban areas, regardless of administrative boundaries.
3. Metropolitan Area: The total population of the city and the surrounding areas.

Largest Cities in Europe (City Proper) – 2026 Top List

Below are the largest cities in Europe ranked by city proper population:

Rank	City	Country	Estimated Population (City Proper)
1	Moscow	Russia	~13.3 million
2	London	United Kingdom	~9.9 million
3	Saint Petersburg	Russia	~5.6 million
4	Berlin	Germany	~3.5 million
5	Madrid	Spain	~3.5 million
6	Kyiv	Ukraine	~3.0 million
7	Rome	Italy	~2.7 million
8	Paris	France	~2.1 million
9	Bucharest	Romania	~1.8 million
10	Budapest	Hungary	~1.7 million

Description of Major Cities

1. Moscow, Russia

Population: ~13.3 million
Moscow is the most populous city in Europe based on city proper population. It serves as Russia’s administrative and economic center and has experienced steady population growth over the past decade.

2. London, United Kingdom

Population: ~9.9 million
London is the largest city in the United Kingdom by official municipal population.

3. Saint Petersburg, Russia

Population: ~5.6 million
Saint Petersburg is Russia’s second-largest city by city proper population. It has maintained steady demographic stability within its defined municipal limits.

4. Berlin, Germany

Population: ~3.5 million
Berlin is Germany’s largest city by official administrative boundaries. Its population has gradually increased since reunification.

5. Madrid, Spain

Population: ~3.5 million
Madrid ranks among the largest cities in Europe by city proper population. The municipality represents only part of the broader Madrid metropolitan region.

6. Kyiv, Ukraine

Population: ~3.0 million
Kyiv is Ukraine’s most populous city within official municipal boundaries. Population levels have fluctuated in recent years due to regional conditions.

7. Rome, Italy

Population: ~2.7 million
Rome is Italy’s largest city by city proper population. Its administrative limits cover a wide geographic area compared to many other European capitals.

8. Paris, France

Population: ~2.1 million
Paris has a relatively smaller city proper population because the municipal boundary is compact. The wider metropolitan area is significantly larger.

9. Bucharest, Romania

Population: ~1.8 million
Bucharest is Romania’s largest city by official population. It represents the country’s primary administrative and economic center.

10. Budapest, Hungary

Population: ~1.7 million
Budapest is Hungary’s most populous city within municipal limits. The city proper accounts for a major share of the country’s urban population.

Population figures are based on 2026 city proper estimates. Rankings may vary depending on whether urban agglomeration or metropolitan area definitions are used. City proper data reflects administrative boundaries only and does not include surrounding suburban or metropolitan populations. Population references commonly follow data published by CityPopulation and World Population Review.