Discover the Top Countries for Living Abroad, According to Thousands of Expats

This year's surge in international travel highlights our desire for new destinations, rich with diverse cultures, people, and cuisines. While some have always sought to relocate, the COVID-19 pandemic opened these possibilities to a wider audience through increased remote work opportunities and a more flexible global workforce.

Many countries have recently launched and improved digital nomad programs to attract remote workers, making it easier to settle in a foreign land for an extended stay.

If you're considering a move abroad and need guidance, the experiences and insights of those who've already made the leap could provide valuable assistance in your decision-making process.

InterNations, a global expat community boasting over 5 million members, has released findings from its annual Expat Insider survey, conducted for a decade. More than 12,500 participants assessed their satisfaction across various aspects of expat life in 53 countries, using five indices: quality of life, ease of settling in, working abroad, personal finance, and the expat essentials index, covering housing, administration, language, and digital life.

The findings highlighted the top and bottom countries for expat living, with the ten best locations spanning the Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

The top 10 countries for expats to call home abroad

1. Panama
2. Mexico
3. Indonesia
4. Spain
5. Colombia
6. Thailand
7. Brazil
8. Vietnam
9. Philippines
10. United Arab Emirates

The ultimate destination for expats worldwide

According to this year's Expat Insider survey, Panama is the premier country for expats to live and work abroad. Panama claimed the top position from Mexico due to factors highly valued by expats, such as their overall happiness, financial stability, and the ease of settling in.

According to International Living, a resource focused on life overseas, living in Panama offers advantages like the modern infrastructure of Panama City, which features widespread high-speed internet, and the use of the U.S. dollar, simplifying financial matters.

International Living highlights that Panama provides a pensionado visa which facilitates retirees' relocation; while the cost of living isn't the lowest in Central and South America, “a couple can comfortably live here for $2,500 a month or less, rent included.”

The Expat Insider survey revealed that 74 percent of expats in Panama are pleased with their financial situation, significantly higher than the global average of 54 percent, earning the country the top rank for financial satisfaction worldwide.

The reasonable housing costs make Panama an appealing destination, with 62 percent of expats expressing satisfaction with housing expenses. It is also regarded as the easiest location globally for expats to secure housing.

Panama's rich opportunities for travel, delicious cuisine, and pleasant climate contribute to its reputation as an excellent base for expatriates living abroad.

Top countries for expats in North and South America

Following Panama, Mexico secured the No. 2 position after losing its top spot in 2023. Despite this, Mexico's consistent presence in the survey’s top five since its inception in 2014 highlights its enduring appeal as a relocation destination. This year, it was joined by South American countries Colombia and Brazil on the top 10 list.

Expats adore Mexico, with 89 percent expressing happiness in their lives there. The country is praised for its cultural adaptability and the warmth of its locals, making it easy to forge friendships. Most expats (77 percent) feel at home in Mexico, and 71 percent report satisfaction with their financial situation.

In Colombia, three key cities attract expats: Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali.

Brazil is celebrated for its warm hospitality, ranking high for ease of settling in and financial well-being. However, expats advise that learning Portuguese is essential if you plan to make Brazil your long-term home.

Top countries for expats in Europe

In Europe, Spain stands out as the top country for expats, according to those living abroad. It was the only European nation to feature in the top 10 of the 2024 Expat Insider survey, securing the fourth position. Spain excelled in quality of life (ranking No. 1 out of 53 countries), along with leisure activities, culture and nightlife, recreational opportunities, and a sunny climate. A significant 84 percent of expats report being happy with their lives in Spain.

Regarding living arrangements in Spain, the InterNations Expat City Ranking 2023 revealed that the top three cities globally for expats are all in Spain, with Málaga taking the crown as the best city for expats, followed by Alicante and Valencia, and Madrid closely trailing at No. 6.

Other European nations making it into the top 25 best cities for expats include Portugal (15), Belgium (18), Luxembourg (20), Austria (24), and Denmark (25).

Top countries for expats in Asia and the Middle East

According to the survey, the leading countries for expat life in Asia include Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Indonesia is praised for its affordability, welcoming locals, and excellent work-life balance, with 84 percent of expats reporting satisfaction with their lives there.

Factors like cost of living, cuisine, friendliness, and the ease of securing good, affordable housing have boosted Thailand’s ranking on the top 10 list.

A major reason Vietnam ranks among the top 10 expat destinations this year is its strong performance in personal finances. An impressive 86 percent of expats in Vietnam commend the cost of living.

Expats believe the Philippines excels in providing affordable living options, fostering a comfortable financial situation, and ensuring high job satisfaction, all while making it easy to connect with locals.

In the Middle East, the United Arab Emirates secured the No. 10 spot, receiving high marks for quality of life, cost of living, ease of settling in, and essential expat factors like language and administration.

Check out the full list to discover how all 53 countries in the survey performed.

This article was initially published in July 2023 and was updated on July 24, 2024, to reflect the latest information.