Best and Worst Countries for Expats in 2026

The international network InterNations has published its annual Expat Insider 2026 ranking, which examines living conditions for foreigners in 31 countries. The study evaluates how easily expats can adapt, handle everyday matters, build careers and maintain a comfortable standard of living abroad. Panama retained the top position for the third consecutive year, while Norway ranked last.

The survey was conducted from February 1 to March 31, 2026. The results only partially reflect the possible impact of the war on the lives of expats in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Panama Leads the Ranking: Work and Finances

In 2026, Panama once again took first place in the Expat Insider ranking, maintaining its leading position for the third year in a row. The country topped the “Working Abroad” and “Personal Finance” indices and ranked second for Ease of Settling In and Expat Essentials.

A total of 87% of foreign respondents said they were satisfied with their life in Panama, compared with the global average of 70%. Financial conditions also received high ratings. Some 90% of expats said their disposable household income was sufficient for a comfortable lifestyle, while 76% gave a positive assessment of their financial situation. The global averages were 71% and 55%, respectively.

The cost of living was one of the country’s main advantages: 69% of survey participants rated it positively, significantly above the global average of 39%.

Panama remains popular among older residents: 37% of respondents are already retired, while 18% said retirement was the main reason for their relocation. Among working foreigners, Panama ranked first for work-life balance and third for the convenience of working hours.

Adaptation to life in Panama is also rated highly. Some 90% of foreigners praised the friendliness of local residents, while the same share said finding housing in the country was easy. Obtaining a visa is also considered relatively simple: 82% of respondents gave a positive assessment of the process, placing Panama second in this category.

All survey participants (100%) rated the country’s natural environment positively. “I love the climate, food, and cost of living. The locals are friendly and helpful. I’m doing my best to learn the language,” said an American expat living in Panama City. Around 34% of expats plan to stay in Panama permanently.

However, the country also has weaknesses. Road infrastructure for drivers ranked last, in 31st place, while the availability of green products and services ranked 28th and the urban environment ranked 26th.

Mexico: Friendliness and Hospitality

Mexico ranked second overall and maintained its leading position in the Ease of Settling In Index. The country took first place in three categories at once: local friendliness, finding friends, and culture and welcome.

Some 73% of expats said it was easy for them to make friends with local residents, compared with the global average of 39%. In addition, 34% of participants said that most of their friends and acquaintances were local residents, which is twice the global average.

“It is a slower lifestyle, people are very friendly, and I enjoy learning about the history and culture as well as enjoying nature and green spaces,” said an American expat from San Miguel de Allende.

Mexico ranked third in the Personal Finance Index: 81% of expats consider their income sufficient for a comfortable lifestyle, while 73% are satisfied with their financial situation.

The country ranked 10th in Working Abroad. Participants highly rated career opportunities and job satisfaction, with both categories taking second place worldwide. Some 69% of expats believe they receive fair pay. Around 38% of expats plan to live in Mexico permanently.

The main weak point for Mexico remains Quality of Life, where it ranked 16th. Despite taking first place for culture, nightlife and climate, the country received low scores for safety. Only 68% of expats gave a positive assessment of personal safety, compared with the global average of 81%. Mexico also ranked 30th for the urban environment and 28th for air quality.

Thailand: The Happiest Expats

Thailand ranked third overall and became the world leader in expat happiness. Some 86% of expats said they were satisfied with their life in the country, while 42% want to stay there permanently.

The kingdom ranked second in the Personal Finance Index. The cost of living received the highest ratings among all countries: 85% of participants consider Thailand attractive in this regard. Housing was recognized as the most affordable worldwide and one of the easiest to find.

Thailand remains a popular choice among older residents: 40% of survey participants are already retired, while 22% said the main reason for moving was the desire to spend their post-career years in the country.

Thailand ranked third for Ease of Settling In. Local residents were considered the friendliest in the world, and the country took first place for helping foreigners feel at home. Healthcare quality also received high marks, ranking fourth globally.

“Safe, clean, friendly, food, culture and weather. Best decision I made coming here,” said a Spanish expat living in Bangkok.

At the same time, Thailand ranked last in the Environment & Climate category: only 33% of expats gave positive ratings to air quality. Low positions were also recorded for government environmental policies, political stability and freedom of expression.

Among everyday challenges, foreigners mentioned opening a bank account, limited digitalization of administrative services and the difficulty of learning Thai: 80% of respondents consider the language difficult.

Germany and Türkiye Among the Lowest-Ranked Countries

Germany ranked 30th overall, mainly due to difficulties with integration and bureaucracy. In the Expat Essentials Index, the country received the lowest possible result.

Digital services were among the weakest areas. Germany ranked 31st for the availability of online administrative services, high-speed home internet and cashless payment options. At the same time, 61% of participants reported difficulties when dealing with government authorities. Affordable housing remains a serious challenge: only 19% gave a positive assessment of housing affordability and the ability to find a suitable option.

The language barrier also complicates adaptation. Before moving, 55% of respondents named it as one of their main concerns, while 62% consider learning German difficult.

“It is difficult to become part of local society. I don’t like the bureaucracy and that people simply follow the system without any human approach,” said a Portuguese expat woman from Berlin.

Türkiye ranked 29th, placing among the three lowest-rated destinations. The result was mainly affected by problems in the labor market and economic conditions: the country ranked last for Working Abroad.

Some 61% of foreign residents gave a negative assessment of Türkiye’s economy, while around one-third of survey participants earn less than USD 12,000 gross per year. Political stability and safety concerns also put pressure on the country’s ranking. Türkiye ranked last for freedom to openly express opinions and 30th for political stability.

Norway: The Worst Country for Relocation

Norway ranked last in the overall list. Among foreign residents in the country, the survey recorded the lowest level of positive sentiment: only 46% of participants said they considered their life abroad successful, compared with the global average of 70%.

The main challenge was integration. Norway received the lowest results across all indicators of the Ease of Settling In Index. Some 72% of respondents said it was difficult for them to make connections with local residents. Only 25% gave a positive assessment of their social life, while 31% said they felt part of society. At the same time, 51% of participants reported that most of their friends were other foreigners.

Material conditions were another weak point. Norway ranked 30th in the Personal Finance Index and received the lowest score among all countries for cost of living. Only 39% of respondents consider their financial situation favorable. Many expected difficulties even before moving: 41% cited high expenses, 44% the language barrier, and 38% climate conditions as major concerns.

“I dislike the cost and difficulty to make friends. It’s a lonely country to live in,” said a British expat from Bærum.

The country’s high standard of living was not enough to improve its overall position: Norway ranked 30th in the Quality of Life Index. The weakest results were recorded for leisure opportunities, culture and restaurants. At the same time, natural conditions remain one of the country’s main advantages: 96% of participants gave a positive assessment of the natural environment.

Conclusion

The top 10 best countries for expats in 2026 includes destinations from different regions of the world: Panama, Mexico, Thailand, the UAE, Brazil, Spain, Singapore, Portugal, Malaysia and Luxembourg. The leaders share two key advantages — a welcoming attitude toward foreigners and affordable living costs. Seven countries in the top 10 also rank among the best destinations for ease of settling in.

European countries dominate the bottom of the ranking: eight out of ten lowest-ranked destinations are located in Europe. The list includes Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Czechia, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Germany and Norway, as well as Canada and Türkiye.

The main challenge for many European countries is social integration. Norway, Sweden, Austria, Germany, Czechia and Switzerland received the lowest results for helping foreigners feel part of local society.

At the same time, several countries maintain strong positions in terms of quality of life. Austria, Switzerland, Czechia and Sweden scored above average in the relevant index. Switzerland and Sweden also ranked among the global leaders for environmental conditions.

Analysts at International Investment note that several countries popular among foreigners were not included in the ranking. Georgia is among them, attracting expats with favorable living conditions. Citizens of many countries can enter visa-free, registration is not required, and foreigners can purchase real estate without restrictions. Additional advantages include low taxes, moderate living costs and a favorable climate.