Townleap

Best Countries for Expats 2026

Where the WiFi works, the locals speak English, and nobody asks why you left.

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1.
🇫🇮

Finland

1 city

English: Very High, 227 Mbps, ~$1210/mo rent, full democracy. You'll survive your first month without a translator or a therapist.

~$1210/mo rentVisa: moderateFull democracyEnglish: Very High72°F summers227 Mbps
87score
2.
🇳🇴

Norway

1 city

English: Very High, 258 Mbps, ~$2004/mo rent, full democracy. You'll survive your first month without a translator or a therapist.

~$2004/mo rentFull democracyEnglish: Very High70°F summers258 Mbps
85score
3.
🇩🇰

Denmark

1 city

English: Very High, 245 Mbps, ~$1970/mo rent, full democracy. You'll survive your first month without a translator or a therapist.

~$1970/mo rentVisa: moderateFull democracyEnglish: Very High68°F summers245 Mbps
84score
4.
🇷🇴

Romania

1 city

English: High, 255 Mbps, ~$668/mo rent. You'll survive your first month without a translator or a therapist.

~$668/mo rentVisa: moderateEnglish: High86°F summers255 Mbps
81score
5.
🇸🇪

Sweden

3 cities

English: Very High, 146 Mbps, ~$1329/mo rent, full democracy. You'll survive your first month without a translator or a therapist.

~$1329/mo rentVisa: moderateFull democracyEnglish: Very High68°F summers146 Mbps
81score
6.
🇩🇪

Germany

7 cities

English: Very High, 157 Mbps, ~$1296/mo rent, full democracy. You'll survive your first month without a translator or a therapist.

~$1296/mo rentVisa: moderateFull democracyEnglish: Very High75°F summers157 Mbps
80score
7.
🇸🇮

Slovenia

1 city

English: Very High, 130 Mbps, ~$1118/mo rent. You'll survive your first month without a translator or a therapist.

~$1118/mo rentEnglish: Very High81°F summers130 Mbps
79score
8.
🇳🇱

Netherlands

3 cities

English: Very High, 120 Mbps, ~$1985/mo rent, full democracy. You'll survive your first month without a translator or a therapist.

~$1985/mo rentVisa: moderateFull democracyEnglish: Very High68°F summers120 Mbps
77score
9.
🇸🇬

Singapore

1 city

English: Very High, 279 Mbps, ~$2696/mo rent. You'll survive your first month without a translator or a therapist.

~$2696/mo rentVisa: moderateEnglish: Very High88°F summers279 Mbps
77score
10.
🇹🇼

Taiwan

1 city

English: Moderate, 142 Mbps, ~$735/mo rent, full democracy. You'll survive your first month without a translator or a therapist.

~$735/mo rentVisa: easyFull democracyEnglish: Moderate90°F summers142 Mbps
77score
11.
🇨🇿

Czech Republic

1 city

English: High, 137 Mbps, ~$1228/mo rent, full democracy. You'll survive your first month without a translator or a therapist.

~$1228/mo rentVisa: moderateFull democracyEnglish: High73°F summers137 Mbps
76score
12.
🇰🇷

South Korea

1 city

English: Moderate, 182 Mbps, ~$871/mo rent. You'll survive your first month without a translator or a therapist.

~$871/mo rentVisa: complexEnglish: Moderate82°F summers182 Mbps
76score
13.
🇵🇹

Portugal

5 cities

English: Very High, 149 Mbps, ~$1358/mo rent, full democracy. You'll survive your first month without a translator or a therapist.

~$1358/mo rentVisa: moderateFull democracyEnglish: Very High79°F summers149 Mbps
76score
14.
🇪🇪

Estonia

1 city

English: High, 112 Mbps, ~$816/mo rent, full democracy. You'll survive your first month without a translator or a therapist.

~$816/mo rentVisa: moderateFull democracyEnglish: High68°F summers112 Mbps
74score
15.
🇬🇷

Greece

1 city

English: High, ~$737/mo rent, full democracy. You'll survive your first month without a translator or a therapist.

~$737/mo rentVisa: moderateFull democracyEnglish: High90°F summers98 Mbps
74score
16.
🇲🇾

Malaysia

1 city

English: High, 135 Mbps, ~$690/mo rent. You'll survive your first month without a translator or a therapist.

~$690/mo rentVisa: moderateEnglish: High90°F summers135 Mbps
74score
17.
🇨🇭

Switzerland

7 cities

English: High, 303 Mbps, ~$2280/mo rent, full democracy. You'll survive your first month without a translator or a therapist.

~$2280/mo rentVisa: moderateFull democracyEnglish: High77°F summers303 Mbps
73score
18.
🇵🇱

Poland

2 cities

English: Very High, ~$1100/mo rent. You'll survive your first month without a translator or a therapist.

~$1100/mo rentVisa: moderateEnglish: Very High73°F summers99 Mbps
73score
19.
🇦🇹

Austria

4 cities

English: Very High, 101 Mbps, ~$1204/mo rent, full democracy. You'll survive your first month without a translator or a therapist.

~$1204/mo rentVisa: moderateFull democracyEnglish: Very High77°F summers101 Mbps
72score
20.
🇸🇰

Slovakia

2 cities

English: High, ~$1042/mo rent. You'll survive your first month without a translator or a therapist.

~$1042/mo rentEnglish: High79°F summers92 Mbps
71score
21.
🇫🇷

France

5 cities

English: Moderate, 162 Mbps, ~$1110/mo rent. You'll survive your first month without a translator or a therapist.

~$1110/mo rentVisa: moderateEnglish: Moderate81°F summers162 Mbps
69score
22.
🇭🇺

Hungary

1 city

English: High, ~$918/mo rent. You'll survive your first month without a translator or a therapist.

~$918/mo rentVisa: moderateEnglish: High79°F summers80 Mbps
69score
23.
🇭🇷

Croatia

1 city

English: Very High, ~$1077/mo rent. You'll survive your first month without a translator or a therapist.

~$1077/mo rentEnglish: Very High86°F summers
68score
24.
🇷🇸

Serbia

1 city

English: High, ~$904/mo rent. You'll survive your first month without a translator or a therapist.

~$904/mo rentVisa: easyEnglish: High81°F summers68 Mbps
66score
25.
🇪🇸

Spain

7 cities

English: Moderate, ~$1355/mo rent, full democracy. You'll survive your first month without a translator or a therapist.

~$1355/mo rentVisa: moderateFull democracyEnglish: Moderate84°F summers92 Mbps
65score
26.
🇻🇳

Vietnam

1 city

English: Moderate, 245 Mbps, ~$475/mo rent. Bring a phrasebook and some patience.

~$475/mo rentVisa: moderateEnglish: Moderate93°F summers245 Mbps
64score
27.
🇦🇷

Argentina

1 city

English: High, ~$767/mo rent. Bring a phrasebook and some patience.

~$767/mo rentVisa: easyEnglish: High81°F summers55 Mbps
63score
28.
🇨🇦

Canada

3 cities

140 Mbps, ~$1631/mo rent, full democracy. Bring a phrasebook and some patience.

~$1631/mo rentVisa: easyFull democracy73°F summers140 Mbps
61score
29.
🇮🇳

India

2 cities

English: Low, ~$246/mo rent. Bring a phrasebook and some patience.

~$246/mo rentVisa: complexEnglish: Low84°F summers87 Mbps
61score
30.
🇦🇲

Armenia

1 city

English: Moderate, ~$680/mo rent. Bring a phrasebook and some patience.

~$680/mo rentVisa: easyEnglish: Moderate93°F summers65 Mbps
60score
31.
🇮🇹

Italy

4 cities

English: Moderate, ~$1384/mo rent. Bring a phrasebook and some patience.

~$1384/mo rentVisa: moderateEnglish: Moderate86°F summers70 Mbps
60score
32.
🇨🇷

Costa Rica

3 cities

English: Moderate, 134 Mbps, ~$866/mo rent, full democracy. Bring a phrasebook and some patience.

~$866/mo rentVisa: easyFull democracyEnglish: Moderate81°F summers134 Mbps
59score
33.
🇳🇿

New Zealand

1 city

~$991/mo rent, full democracy. Bring a phrasebook and some patience.

~$991/mo rentFull democracy64°F summers
59score
34.
🇿🇦

South Africa

1 city

English: Very High, ~$1026/mo rent. Bring a phrasebook and some patience.

~$1026/mo rentVisa: moderateEnglish: Very High75°F summers53 Mbps
58score
35.
🇬🇪

Georgia

2 cities

English: Moderate, ~$571/mo rent. Bring a phrasebook and some patience.

~$571/mo rentVisa: easyEnglish: Moderate81°F summers38 Mbps
57score
36.
🇦🇪

United Arab Emirates

1 city

English: Moderate, 378 Mbps, ~$2288/mo rent. Bring a phrasebook and some patience.

~$2288/mo rentVisa: moderateEnglish: Moderate106°F summers378 Mbps
56score
37.
🇯🇵

Japan

1 city

English: Very Low, ~$1359/mo rent, full democracy. Bring a phrasebook and some patience.

~$1359/mo rentVisa: moderateFull democracyEnglish: Very Low82°F summers53 Mbps
55score
38.
🇨🇳

China

3 cities

English: Low, 242 Mbps, ~$903/mo rent. Bring a phrasebook and some patience.

~$903/mo rentVisa: complexEnglish: Low88°F summers242 Mbps
53score
39.
🇬🇧

United Kingdom

4 cities

~$2054/mo rent, full democracy. Bring a phrasebook and some patience.

~$2054/mo rentVisa: moderateFull democracy68°F summers93 Mbps
53score
40.
🇮🇪

Ireland

2 cities

~$2264/mo rent, full democracy. Bring a phrasebook and some patience.

~$2264/mo rentVisa: moderateFull democracy66°F summers91 Mbps
53score
41.
🇦🇺

Australia

3 cities

114 Mbps, ~$2198/mo rent, full democracy. Bring a phrasebook and some patience.

~$2198/mo rentFull democracy81°F summers114 Mbps
52score
42.
🇧🇷

Brazil

2 cities

English: Low, 143 Mbps, ~$644/mo rent. Bring a phrasebook and some patience.

~$644/mo rentEnglish: Low86°F summers143 Mbps
52score
43.
🇭🇰

Hong Kong

1 city

English: Moderate, ~$2225/mo rent. Bring a phrasebook and some patience.

~$2225/mo rentVisa: moderateEnglish: Moderate86°F summers
52score
44.
🇲🇦

Morocco

1 city

English: Low, ~$495/mo rent. Bring a phrasebook and some patience.

~$495/mo rentEnglish: Low95°F summers
52score
45.
🇮🇩

Indonesia

1 city

English: Low, ~$1082/mo rent. Bring a phrasebook and some patience.

~$1082/mo rentVisa: easyEnglish: Low84°F summers36 Mbps
50score
46.
🇵🇦

Panama

2 cities

English: Low, ~$892/mo rent. Bring a phrasebook and some patience.

~$892/mo rentVisa: easyEnglish: Low79°F summers31 Mbps
50score
47.
🇨🇴

Colombia

1 city

English: Low, ~$703/mo rent. Bring a phrasebook and some patience.

~$703/mo rentVisa: easyEnglish: Low79°F summers79 Mbps
49score
48.
🇰🇿

Kazakhstan

1 city

English: Very Low, 133 Mbps, ~$756/mo rent. Bring a phrasebook and some patience.

~$756/mo rentEnglish: Very Low82°F summers133 Mbps
49score
49.
🇹🇷

Turkey

1 city

English: Low, ~$1070/mo rent. Bring a phrasebook and some patience.

~$1070/mo rentVisa: easyEnglish: Low82°F summers51 Mbps
49score
50.
🇹🇭

Thailand

3 cities

English: Very Low, 110 Mbps, ~$625/mo rent. Bring a phrasebook and some patience.

~$625/mo rentVisa: moderateEnglish: Very Low90°F summers110 Mbps
48score
51.
🇺🇸

United States

11 cities

177 Mbps, ~$2470/mo rent. Bring a phrasebook and some patience.

~$2470/mo rentVisa: easy88°F summers177 Mbps
47score
52.
🇮🇱

Israel

3 cities

English: Moderate, ~$1723/mo rent. Bring a phrasebook and some patience.

~$1723/mo rentVisa: moderateEnglish: Moderate84°F summers81 Mbps
46score
53.
🇺🇿

Uzbekistan

1 city

English: Very Low, ~$609/mo rent. Bring a phrasebook and some patience.

~$609/mo rentEnglish: Very Low95°F summers83 Mbps
46score
54.
🇪🇬

Egypt

1 city

English: Low, ~$215/mo rent. Bring a phrasebook and some patience.

~$215/mo rentEnglish: Low95°F summers26 Mbps
41score
55.
🇲🇽

Mexico

8 cities

English: Very Low, ~$1006/mo rent. Bring a phrasebook and some patience.

~$1006/mo rentVisa: moderateEnglish: Very Low86°F summers72 Mbps
41score
56.
🇷🇺

Russia

2 cities

English: Moderate, ~$1203/mo rent. Bring a phrasebook and some patience.

~$1203/mo rentVisa: moderateEnglish: Moderate72°F summers
37score

How we score countries

Each country score is the average livability score across all cities we track there. City scores combine: affordability (25%), safety (25%), internet (15%), democracy (15%), English (10%), climate (10%), and economic stability (10%). Country-level data (democracy, peace index) is shared across cities in the same country.

Best Countries to Live In 2026Best Countries to Move to From the USEasiest Countries to Immigrate to in 2026Best Countries to Retire In 2026Countries With No Income TaxCountries With No Capital Gains TaxBest Countries to Raise a FamilyBest English-Speaking Countries to Live InMost Democratic Countries to Move ToHigh-Trust CountriesSafest Countries for WomenCheapest Places to Live in EuropeBest Places to Live in EuropeSafest Places to Live in EuropeFull City Rankings

Data: Numbeo · UNODC · EIU · World Bank · EF EPI · Ookla Speedtest

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best country for expats in 2026?▾

Finland leads our rankings with a score of 87/100 — averaged across 1 cities we track. Not a vibe check, just math.

Top 5 best countries for expats?▾

#1 Finland (87/100), #2 Norway (85/100), #3 Denmark (84/100), #4 Romania (81/100), #5 Sweden (81/100). Each scored on cost, safety, democracy, internet, English, and climate.

Which top-ranked country is also affordable?▾

Egypt — average rent ~$215/mo across 1 cities. Cheap and livable — they exist, you just need a spreadsheet.

More ways to find your country

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