What are the Best Countries for Expats in 2026?
- Portugal Business News - Valerie Charoux
- 1 hour ago
- 2 min read
Expat News - Here is the ranking of the Best Countries for Expats in 2026, according to the InterNations Expat report 2026:
Top 10 Best Countries for Expats in 2026:
1 - Panama
Panama ranks No. 1 Best Country for Expats in 2026 according to InterNations.
Panama leads the Working Abroad and Personal Finance Indices and ranks 2nd for both Ease of Settling In and Expat Essentials. 90% of expats feel their disposable household income is enough to lead a comfortable life (vs. 71% globally), and over three-quarters (76%) are satisfied with their financial situation (vs. 55%). The general cost of living also gets positive ratings from 69% of respondents — far above the global average of 39%.
2 - Mexico
Mexico ranks 2nd Best Country for Expats in 2026 according to InterNations.
Mexico ranks 1st place in the Ease of Settling In Index, with all three of its subcategories — Local Friendliness, Finding Friends, and Culture & Welcome — also in 1st. Expats find the locals friendly towards foreign residents (1st), and 73% say making local friends is easy (vs. 39% globally). In fact, 34% describe their friends and acquaintances as mostly local residents — double the global average of 17%..
3 - Thailand
Thailand ranks 3rd Best Country for Expats in 2026 according to InterNations.
Thailand is home to the happiest expats worldwide: 86% are happy with their life abroad (vs. 70% globally), and 42% want to stay forever (vs. 27%). Their money goes a long way, with Thailand landing a 2nd place in the Personal Finance Index. Thailand offers the best-rated cost of living worldwide, viewed positively by 85% of expats (vs. 39% globally). Housing is both the most affordable (1st) and among the easiest to find (2nd). The country is a retirement hotspot: 40% of respondents are retired (vs. 14% globally), and 22% moved there specifically to retire (vs. 4%).
4 - UAE
The UAE ranks 4th Best Country for Expats in 2026 according to InterNations.
5 - Brazil
Brazil ranks 5th Best Country for Expats in 2026 according to InterNations.
6 - Spain
Spain ranks 6th Best Country for Expats in 2026 according to InterNations.
7 - Singapore
Singapore ranks 7th Best Country for Expats in 2026 according to InterNations.
8 - Portugal
Portugal ranks 8th Best Country for Expats in 2026 according to InterNations.
9 - Malaysia
Malaysia ranks 9th Best Country for Expats in 2026 according to InterNations.
10 - Luxembourg
Luxembourg ranks 10th Best Country for Expats in 2026 according to InterNations.
What is the worst country for expats in 2026?
The worst country for expats in 2026 is Norway according to InterNations. Expats there are the unhappiest in the survey (31st): fewer than half (46%) are content with their life abroad (vs. 70% globally).
