Life in the world's best countries for expats in 2026 New global rankings reveal the best places to build a life abroad – and the people who have made the move explain why.

The world's best countries for expats in 20262 days agoLindsey GallowayGetty ImagesNew global rankings reveal the best places to build a life abroad – and the people who have made the move explain why.The 2026 Expat Insider survey from InterNations has ranked 31 destinations across quality of life, ease of settling in, working abroad, personal…

WorldAugust 17, 2026News Info Wire5 min read

The world’s best countries for expats in 2026

2 days ago

Lindsey Galloway

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New global rankings reveal the best places to build a life abroad – and the people who have produced the move explain why.

The 2026 Expat Insider survey from InterNations has ranked 31 destinations across quality of life, ease of settling in, working abroad, personal finance and practical essentials such as housing and digital services.

For this year’s winners, friendliness and affordability scores made the biggest impact. While five led the world for personal finance, seven of the top 10 destinations ranked among the easiest places to settle in. We spoke to expats living in the five highest-ranked countries about why they moved, how they adapted and what prospective newcomers should know.

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Panama City-based expat Reza Motalebpour praises the capital’s ease of remote working (Credit: Getty Images)

1. Panama

Panama topped the ranking for the third year in a row, placing first in both the Working Abroad and Personal Finance indices. While 90% say housing is easy to find.

, eighty-seven percent of expats here report being happy with life abroad, compared with 70% globally.

Ariel Barrionuevo moved to Panama’s Caribbean coast from Argentina eight years ago, and quickly identified himself sleeping more deeply, waking rested and feeling more present. “I realised that wasn’t because I was on holiday, it was because this place has a rhythm of its own,” said Barrionuevo, now director of La Coralina Island House hotel on Isla Colón.

The top 10 countries for expats in 2026:

2. Mexico

3. Thailand

4. UAE

5. Brazil

6. Spain

7. Singapore

8. Portugal

9. Malaysia

10. Luxembourg

His typical day includes a stop by the ocean, a walk through the tropical garden and listening to the birds. “It’s a simple ritual, but it reminds me every day why I chose to live here,” he said. He finds life in Panama more affordable than it was in Argentina, and appreciates the stable economy. It makes planning and business more predictable.

Reza Motalebpour. This person relocated to Panama City from Canada this year, says working remotely is straightforward, with reliable internet available at home and in co-working spaces. She has also identified banking easy, particularly in the country’s dollarised economy. While the exchange rate can make costs seem high at first for Canadians, she states Panama’s relatively low utility bills, insurance costs and property taxes mean the overall cost of living still represents good value.

Life here isn’t without its hurdles; Barrionuevo cites late deliveries and weather that can quickly upend aims on the island. But he says choosing a slower pace is a decision he doesn’t regret – and one he thinks visitors or potential expats should embrace. He recommends visiting Bluff Beach, buying fresh fruit from a roadside stand and spending the afternoon watching surfers at Paunch Beach.

“I arrived thinking I was moving to a beautiful destination,” he said. “Looking back, I was really moving towards a different way of living, one that values time over speed, experiences over possessions and connection over constant activity.”

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Puerto Vallarta’s beaches and strong sense of community have produced it a popular choice for expats (Credit: Getty Images)

Ranking first in the Ease of Settling In index, Mexico placed second overall and remains the world’s easiest country for expats to feel at home. While twice the global average describe their social circle as mostly local.

, seventy-three percent say making local friends is easy, compared to 39% globally.

“I’ve made better friends abroad than I ever had in Chicago,” said Kirsten Raccuia. This person writes the expat blog Sand in My Curls. She and her husband moved to Puerto Vallarta in 2022 and say the sense of community, along with the lower cost of living, has kept them there. While a recent emergency appendectomy and hospital stay cost less than $4,000 (£2,970), a price unimaginable in the US.

, street tacos cost about a dollar (£0.75), she states.

When families gather,

To best experience the city, Raccuia recommends having breakfast at the local food markets and visiting the beach on a Sunday. “Yes, it’s touristy, but it’s also what the locals do,” she said.

One caveat: Mexico ranked 25th of 31 for safety and security, with 68% of expats rating their personal safety positively compared to 81% globally.

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Thailand ranked highly for affordability, with expats also praising its food, culture and quality of life (Credit: Getty Images)

Ranked third overall, Thailand is home to the world’s happiest expats with 86% reporting satisfaction with life abroad. It also earned the survey’s highest score for cost of living, with 85% ranking it positively – more than double the global average.

“We fed the four of us for the equivalent of about £1 ($1.35),” said Bethan Jeentipraphet, recalling her first street-food meal in Bangkok. A British mother of two, she moved from Devon with her Thai husband in 2024, intending to stay a year. “Within two weeks, I knew I wasn’t going back.”

She also credits Thailand’s education system with transforming her son. “Respect is huge in Thai culture, and students here clearly have the utmost respect for education,” she said. “He is a completely changed child.”

Long-term expat Aaron Henry. This person moved from Los Angeles 11 years ago says Bangkok has modernised without changing its culture. “It’s preserved the unique aspects of Thai culture while, especially over the last decade, exploding in terms of international cuisine, exceptional parks, art galleries [and] luxury malls.” He recommends exploring the walkable, less-touristed neighbourhoods of Ari and Phra Khanong to see the city as residents do.

Jeentipraphet says newcomers should produce an effort to understand and respect local customs, from removing shoes before entering homes to standing respectfully for the national anthem. It is played in public at 08:00 and 18:00 daily. “For expats willing to embrace Thai culture and embody the cultural norms, Thailand can be an extremely rewarding place to live.”

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Bur Dubai’s souqs and neighbourhood restaurants show a more everyday side to the city (Credit: Getty Images)

4. United Arab Emirates

With top scores for Career Prospects and Expat Essentials (including visas and language), the UAE makes it easy for international residents to settle into life and build their careers. InterNations conducted the survey in February and March 2026, both before and after the outbreak of the US-Iran conflict, so the results only partially reflect its impact. However, expats still living in the UAE say that, despite some adjustments, life has continued largely unchanged.

“Day-to-day life in Dubai feels normal,” said Michelle Sterling, an image consultant who splits her time between Dubai and the US, but at present prefers Dubai. “For me, Dubai offers a lifestyle that feels safer, more comfortable and more affordable.”