Last updated: 10 August 2026 | Reviewed by Sunshadow Investments
Choosing a new country is not simply a matter of finding the warmest climate or the lowest tax rate. The best countries to live for expats combine everyday quality of life with safety, healthcare, financial practicality, work or business opportunities, and a realistic route to settling in.
Quick answer: Sunshadow’s top 10 countries for expats in 2026 are Cyprus, Spain, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, Portugal, Switzerland, Panama, Denmark, New Zealand and Japan. We rank Cyprus first as the strongest all-round option for people seeking an EU base, Mediterranean lifestyle, English-friendly business environment and comparatively manageable scale.
This is a Sunshadow editorial ranking, not an official government league table. It draws on the InterNations Expat Insider 2026 survey, the 2026 Global Peace Index, the World Happiness Report 2026, EU guidance and official country information. No ranking can identify the right home for everyone, so we also highlight the main trade-off in each destination.
10 best countries to live for expats in 2026: quick comparison
| Rank | Country | Best for | Key strengths | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cyprus | Mediterranean EU living | Climate, EU access, English widely used, compact lifestyle | Smaller job market; a car is often useful |
| 2 | Spain | Lifestyle and healthcare | Leisure, climate, transport, established expat communities | Bureaucracy and uneven local job markets |
| 3 | Singapore | Asian careers and connectivity | Safety, transport, healthcare, global business | Very high housing and everyday costs |
| 4 | United Arab Emirates | Careers and easy expat essentials | Safety, services, international workforce, air links | Extreme summer heat and status-dependent residency |
| 5 | Portugal | Relaxed European living | Peace, climate, coast, welcoming pace of life | Housing pressure and weaker local salaries |
| 6 | Switzerland | High-skilled income and stability | Peace, infrastructure, wages, natural environment | Exceptionally high costs and selective permits |
| 7 | Panama | Personal finances and settling in | Affordability, expat satisfaction, connectivity | Infrastructure and healthcare vary by location |
| 8 | Denmark | Work-life balance | Happiness, public services, work culture, cycling | High taxes, costs and long winters |
| 9 | New Zealand | Nature and a calmer pace | Peace, outdoor life, English-speaking environment | Geographic distance and a smaller economy |
| 10 | Japan | Safe, efficient urban living | Transport, healthcare, food, culture, safety | Language and workplace integration |
How we ranked the best countries to live for expats
InterNations collected responses from close to 8,000 expats representing 162 nationalities in 2026. Its country indices cover quality of life, ease of settling in, working abroad, personal finance and practical expat essentials. We used those categories as a foundation, then broadened the assessment with peace, life satisfaction, official living information and the priorities most relevant to internationally mobile professionals, families, retirees and property buyers.
- Quality of life and healthcare: 25%
- Safety and stability: 20%
- Cost of living and financial practicality: 15%
- Work, business and expat essentials: 15%
- Ease of settling in and language accessibility: 10%
- Climate, leisure and international connectivity: 10%
- Residency practicality: 5%
The 2026 InterNations country ranking includes only the 31 destinations that met its minimum respondent threshold. Cyprus was not among those 31, so its absence should not be read as a poor score. We assessed Cyprus using the same broad categories, supported by EU and official Cyprus sources, and our local experience as a Larnaca-based developer.
1. Cyprus: best all-round Mediterranean base
Cyprus takes first place in our 2026 selection because it offers an unusually practical blend: an EU and euro-area setting, a warm Mediterranean lifestyle, widespread use of English in business and services, established private healthcare and education options, and cities that remain manageable in scale.
The island works especially well for entrepreneurs, remote professionals, retirees and families who want access to Europe without giving up coastal living. According to Invest Cyprus, the country combines year-round sunshine with national healthcare, multilingual education and comparatively competitive living and residential-property costs. The European Union’s Cyprus profile confirms its EU status and use of the euro, both meaningful advantages for many international residents.
Larnaca is a particularly balanced base: it offers beaches, an international airport, a lived-in city centre and a growing selection of new residential property without the scale of a major capital. Our 2026 guide for expats in Larnaca covers neighbourhoods, costs, healthcare and daily life in more detail.
Best for: Mediterranean living, remote work, business relocation, retirement and property buyers.
Consider before moving: Cyprus has a smaller local employment market than major European economies, summers are hot, and daily life outside central areas is often easier with a car.
2. Spain: best for established quality of life
Spain is the strongest externally validated lifestyle choice on this list. It ranks first in the InterNations 2026 Quality of Life Index for the fifth consecutive year. Expats particularly praised the climate, leisure options, healthcare and ability to get around.
Spain also offers enormous variety. Madrid and Barcelona suit professionals who want large employment markets and cultural depth, while Valencia, Málaga, Alicante and the islands offer different combinations of coast, affordability and international communities. This range makes Spain easier to match to a specific lifestyle than many smaller countries.
Best for: Social life, healthcare, retirement, families and people who want a wide choice of cities.
Consider before moving: Salaries and job opportunities vary significantly by region, popular cities face housing pressure, and bureaucracy can take patience. If the Mediterranean choice comes down to two countries, read our practical Cyprus vs Spain comparison.
3. Singapore: best for safety, transport and Asian careers
Singapore ranks second in the 2026 InterNations Quality of Life Index. Survey respondents gave exceptional ratings to personal safety, political stability, public transport, healthcare availability and international travel connections. For professionals in finance, technology, logistics, life sciences and regional management, few destinations offer such a concentrated business ecosystem.
English is one of Singapore’s official languages, making everyday administration and workplace integration easier for many international residents. The city-state is clean, organised and extremely efficient, with much of Asia within relatively easy reach.
Best for: High-skilled professionals, regional business roles, safety and car-free urban living.
Consider before moving: Housing and general living costs are high. Healthcare quality is excellent, but affordability received a much weaker expat rating, so employment packages and insurance deserve close attention.
4. United Arab Emirates: best for careers and expat essentials
The UAE combines a highly international workforce with strong air connectivity, modern services and relatively straightforward day-to-day administration. In 2026, it ranks third for quality of life and third in the InterNations Working Abroad Index. Expats also gave high marks to personal safety, political stability and healthcare quality.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi remain the main magnets, but they offer different rhythms. Dubai is larger and more commercially intense, while Abu Dhabi often appeals to residents seeking a calmer pace. In both, English is widely used across workplaces and services.
Best for: Career growth, business, globally mobile professionals and people who value convenience.
Consider before moving: Housing, schooling and lifestyle costs can rise quickly; summer heat is severe; and long-term residency normally depends on continued eligibility through work, investment or another recognised route. Personal freedoms and legal expectations also differ from Europe.
5. Portugal: best for peaceful coastal living
Portugal remains one of Europe’s most attractive lifestyle destinations, particularly for retirees, remote earners and families drawn to a slower pace. It ranks seventh in the 2026 Global Peace Index, while its Atlantic coast, historic cities and relatively mild climate support a strong day-to-day proposition.
Lisbon and Porto provide the deepest employment and cultural options, while the Algarve, Silver Coast and smaller cities appeal to people prioritising space, coast and community. English is common in major expat and tourism areas, although learning Portuguese makes integration much easier.
Best for: Retirement, remote income, safety, coast and a relaxed European lifestyle.
Consider before moving: Housing costs have increased in the most popular locations, local salaries are relatively modest, and visa and tax arrangements have changed over time. Compare the two Mediterranean options in our updated Cyprus vs Portugal guide.
6. Switzerland: best for high-skilled income and stability
Switzerland combines high wages, excellent infrastructure, strong institutions and immediate access to lakes, mountains and several European markets. It ranks third in the 2026 Global Peace Index and is also among the top ten countries in the World Happiness Report 2026.
For professionals in finance, pharmaceuticals, engineering, technology and international organisations, the earning and career potential can be exceptional. Public services and transport are reliable, and different language regions allow expats to choose between distinct local cultures.
Best for: High-skilled careers, stability, infrastructure and access to nature.
Consider before moving: Rent, healthcare insurance, childcare and everyday services are expensive. Work and residence permits can be competitive, especially for non-EU/EFTA nationals, and language expectations vary by canton. See our fuller Cyprus vs Switzerland comparison.
7. Panama: best for expat satisfaction and personal finances
Panama leads the overall InterNations Expat Insider ranking for a third consecutive year in 2026. In the survey, 87% of respondents said they were happy with life abroad, while Panama also performed strongly for working abroad, personal finance, expat essentials and ease of settling in.
Panama City offers an international business and banking centre with strong regional flight connections. Coastal and highland communities provide alternatives for retirees and remote workers who prefer a slower rhythm or cooler climate.
Best for: Retirees, entrepreneurs, regional business, personal finances and ease of settling.
Consider before moving: Infrastructure, healthcare access and service quality vary significantly between Panama City, established expat centres and more remote areas. Climate, neighbourhood and healthcare research should be location-specific.
8. Denmark: best for work-life balance
Denmark offers a compelling combination of employee protections, public services, urban design and trust. It ranks second in the 2026 InterNations Working Abroad Index and remains among the leading countries in the World Happiness Report 2026.
Copenhagen has a strong international professional scene, while the country’s cycling infrastructure and compact cities make everyday life efficient. English proficiency is high, particularly in international workplaces, although Danish becomes increasingly important for deeper integration and many local careers.
Best for: Professionals, families, work-life balance and reliable public systems.
Consider before moving: Taxes and living costs are high, winters are dark, and building a local social circle can take time. The model is most attractive when a strong salary and secure residence route are already in place.
9. New Zealand: best for peace, nature and a calmer pace
New Zealand ranks second in the 2026 Global Peace Index. Its English-speaking environment, outdoor culture, lower population density and spectacular landscape make it particularly appealing to families and professionals seeking a calmer life.
Auckland offers the broadest international job market, while Wellington, Christchurch and smaller centres provide different balances of work, housing and access to nature. Skilled migrants may find opportunities in healthcare, engineering, construction, education and technology, subject to current immigration rules.
Best for: Families, outdoor life, peace and English-speaking relocation.
Consider before moving: It is far from Europe and North America, imported goods can be costly, housing affordability varies, and the employment market is smaller than Australia’s or those of major European economies.
10. Japan: best for safe and efficient urban life
Japan ranks fourth in the 2026 InterNations Quality of Life Index and tenth in the 2026 Global Peace Index. Its exceptional public transport, food, healthcare, cleanliness and depth of culture create a distinctive standard of everyday urban life.
Tokyo offers one of the world’s largest professional and cultural ecosystems, while Osaka, Fukuoka and other regional cities can provide a more approachable scale. Japan can be an excellent fit for people who value order, service quality and urban convenience.
Best for: Safety, transport, culture, food, healthcare and major-city life.
Consider before moving: Japanese language ability matters for administration, social integration and many jobs. Workplace expectations can be demanding, and long-term settlement requires careful planning.
Which country is best for your type of move?
- Best all-round Mediterranean base: Cyprus
- Best survey-backed quality of life: Spain
- Best Asian business hub: Singapore
- Best for career-focused expats: UAE
- Best for peaceful European coastal living: Portugal
- Best for high-skilled earnings: Switzerland
- Best for personal finances and settling in: Panama
- Best for work-life balance: Denmark
- Best for nature and a slower pace: New Zealand
- Best for efficient urban living: Japan
Five checks to make before relocating
- Confirm the legal route. Residency and work rights depend on citizenship, employment, income, family links and the destination’s current rules.
- Model your complete monthly budget. Include rent, tax, healthcare, childcare, transport, insurance and annual travel—not only groceries.
- Compare cities, not just countries. The difference between two cities in the same country can be greater than the difference between two national averages.
- Test daily life outside holiday season. If possible, spend several weeks in the area, use local transport, work normal hours and visit practical services.
- Separate lifestyle from investment. A wonderful place to live is not automatically the best property investment, and the reverse is also true.
Residency, taxation, healthcare eligibility and property-purchase rules can change and depend on individual circumstances. Use current official guidance and obtain appropriate legal and tax advice before acting.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best country to live in for expats in 2026?
There is no universal winner. In this Sunshadow editorial ranking, Cyprus is first for its combination of Mediterranean lifestyle, EU access, widespread use of English, manageable scale and relocation appeal. Spain leads the InterNations 2026 Quality of Life Index, while Panama leads its overall expat ranking.
Which European country is among the best countries to live for expats?
Cyprus is our best all-round European choice, Spain is strongest for survey-backed quality of life, Portugal stands out for peaceful coastal living, Switzerland for high-skilled careers and Denmark for work-life balance.
What are the best countries for English-speaking expats?
New Zealand is the most straightforward linguistically because English is dominant. English is also widely used in Singapore and the UAE, and commonly used in business and many services in Cyprus. In Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Denmark and Japan, learning the local language improves both career options and integration.
Which country is best for expat jobs?
The UAE, Singapore, Switzerland and Denmark are strong options for internationally recruited and high-skilled professionals. The right choice depends heavily on sector, qualifications, salary, language and work-permit eligibility.
Which countries are best for expat retirement?
Cyprus, Spain, Portugal and Panama offer particularly attractive combinations of climate, lifestyle and established international communities. Healthcare access, taxation, residency conditions and distance from family should be compared before choosing.
Why is Cyprus not listed in the InterNations 2026 country ranking?
InterNations required at least 50 respondents for a destination to appear in its 2026 indices, and only 31 countries met that threshold. Cyprus not appearing is therefore not equivalent to receiving a low ranking.
Is Cyprus the right move for you?
Among the best countries to live for expats, Cyprus offers one of the most rounded combinations for people looking beyond a holiday destination: European access, coastal living, a business-friendly international environment and a scale that makes everyday life feel manageable. Larnaca adds direct international connectivity and a year-round city atmosphere.
Start with our Cyprus comparison hub, explore what daily life looks like for expats in Larnaca, or review the practical checks in our guide to buying property in Larnaca. If you are considering a home or investment in the city, you can also explore apartments for sale in Larnaca or contact our team.