Last updated: 2026-08-21 · Rankings update in real time as votes come in.
Picking the best countries for expats isn’t just about postcard beaches. It’s about visas that don’t take a year, rent you can actually afford, and healthcare that won’t bankrupt you. We built this list by blending our own live community vote with the numbers economists and peace researchers actually publish. Here’s the short version before we dig in.
TL;DR: Top 5 right now
- Panama – the perennial favorite for retirees and remote workers alike.
- Portugal – Europe’s most-voted destination, thanks to the NHR-style tax draw and mild winters.
- Spain – big cities, big sun, and a growing digital nomad visa scene.
- Costa Rica – Pura Vida, low cost of living, and a stable “green” economy.
- United Arab Emirates – zero income tax and salaries that still make relocation math work.
Our Methodology
We don’t just rank countries once a year and forget about it. Every entry on thebestcountry.net carries a live community vote, updated as real expats weigh in on where they’d actually move or already have. That’s our primary signal, because a spreadsheet full of GDP figures won’t tell you if the visa office answers the phone.
On top of that vote, we layer recognized public benchmarks so the list isn’t just vibes:
- Global Peace Index for safety and political stability (Iceland, Ireland, Switzerland and Singapore keep landing in the global top ten).
- World Happiness Report for general life satisfaction and social support.
- IMF and World Bank data for GDP growth, inflation, and cost-of-living trends.
- InterNations Expat Insider survey, which has crowned Panama the top expat destination for two years running, with Mexico, Vietnam and Thailand consistently rounding out its top ten.
When our community votes and these outside sources agree, a country climbs fast. When they diverge, say a place scores well on safety but expats complain about bureaucracy, we note it in the country profile so you know what you’re actually signing up for.
The 15 Best Countries for Expats, Ranked
- Panama – Dollarized economy, the Pensionado visa, and a genuinely easy path to residency. Consistently tops independent expat surveys, and our voters agree.
- Portugal – Mild climate, walkable cities, and one of the most active expat communities in Europe. Housing costs in Lisbon have crept up, but the countryside stays a bargain.
- Spain – Excellent public healthcare and a food and social scene that’s hard to beat. The digital nomad visa has opened the door for remote workers who once had to fudge tourist stays.
- Costa Rica – No standing army, strong environmental policy, and a relaxed pace of life. A go-to pick across the Americas for retirees and families.
- Mexico – Huge, diverse, and cheap enough that a modest pension stretches far. Coastal towns and colonial cities both pull steady expat crowds.
- United Arab Emirates – Tax-free salaries and world-class infrastructure. Dubai and Abu Dhabi remain magnets for finance, tech and hospitality professionals.
- Thailand – Tropical climate, affordable healthcare, and a long track record of welcoming long-stay foreigners. Bangkok and Chiang Mai both have thriving remote-work scenes.
- Malaysia – The MM2H visa program and genuinely low living costs keep this one climbing our board, especially among Asian destinations.
- Vietnam – Repeatedly ranked as one of the most affordable countries for expats, with a fast-growing café and coworking culture in Hanoi and Da Nang.
- Singapore – Safe, efficient, and business-friendly, though rent and daily costs run high. A magnet for corporate transfers and finance professionals.
- New Zealand – Consistently near the top of global peace rankings. Stunning scenery, though the immigration points system takes patience.
- Australia – Strong wages, solid healthcare, and a huge existing expat network. Distance from Europe and North America is the main trade-off, along with Oceania’s higher flight costs.
- Canada – Points-based immigration that actually has a clear roadmap, plus universal healthcare. Winters are long, but so is the list of people who’d move there again.
- Switzerland – Among the safest, most stable countries anywhere, with salaries to match the high cost of living. A favorite for finance and pharma professionals.
- Malta – English-speaking, EU-based, and small enough to feel like a village while still offering city amenities in Valletta.
Think your favorite got shortchanged? Cast your vote and help move the needle.
Key Insights
The clearest trend in this year’s data: cost of living now matters as much as scenery. Countries like Vietnam and Mexico keep climbing because a modest income goes noticeably further there than in Western Europe or North America, and that math has only gotten more important as remote salaries plateau while rents in traditional hubs keep rising.
Safety and stability still anchor the top of the list. It’s no accident that Global Peace Index regulars like Switzerland, New Zealand and Portugal show up again and again in both official surveys and our own community rankings. Expats want adventure, sure, but not the kind that comes with political instability.
Tax policy is quietly reshaping the map too. The UAE‘s zero income tax and Panama’s territorial tax system pull in a specific kind of remote entrepreneur that older “sunny retirement” lists never accounted for. Meanwhile, Malta and Malaysia are courting the same crowd with residency-by-investment tracks.
What really sets our list apart is that it’s never frozen. A public index gets published once a year and then sits there. Our rankings move as expats actually vote, so a country having a rough visa season or a sudden cost spike shows up here faster than in any annual report.
💡 Key finding: countries that combine low cost of living with straightforward long-stay visas (Panama, Vietnam, Costa Rica) are climbing our community rankings faster than traditional “prestige” destinations, even when the latter still score higher on raw wealth metrics.
FAQ
What is the single best country for expats in 2026?
Based on our live community vote and the latest InterNations Expat Insider survey, Panama holds the top spot, thanks to its easy residency programs and dollarized economy. But “best” really depends on your budget, career, and whether you want sun year-round or four proper seasons.
Which countries are cheapest for expats right now?
Vietnam, Mexico, Thailand and Costa Rica consistently rank among the most affordable, according to both public cost-of-living data and our own voters. Rent, healthcare and everyday groceries all stay well below Western European or North American prices in these countries.
Are European countries still worth it for expats?
Yes, especially Portugal, Spain and Malta, which combine EU residency benefits with a lower cost of living than France, Germany or the UK. Switzerland sits at the other end, expensive but extremely stable, safe, and high-paying.
How often does this ranking change?
Our list updates continuously as new votes come in from thebestcountry.net‘s community, layered with annual updates from sources like the Global Peace Index and IMF economic data. Check back often, since a single visa policy change can shuffle the order within weeks.
Do I need to already live abroad to vote on a country?
No. Anyone can vote, whether you’re a longtime expat, planning a move, or just curious. That’s part of why the rankings stay so responsive compared to once-a-year surveys.