Townleap

Best Countries for Expats 2026

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

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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 InSafest Countries for WomenCheapest Places to Live in EuropeBest Places to Live in EuropeSafest Places to Live in EuropeFull City Rankings
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 High22°C 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 High21°C summers258 Mbps
87score
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 High20°C summers245 Mbps
84score
4.
🇩🇪

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 High24°C summers157 Mbps
81score
5.
🇷🇴

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: High30°C summers255 Mbps
81score
6.
🇸🇪

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 High20°C summers146 Mbps
81score
7.
🇨🇦

Canada

3 cities

English: Very High, 140 Mbps, ~$1631/mo rent, full democracy. You'll survive your first month without a translator or a therapist.

~$1631/mo rentVisa: easyFull democracyEnglish: Very High23°C summers140 Mbps
79score
8.
🇸🇮

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 High27°C summers130 Mbps
79score
9.
🇹🇼

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: Moderate32°C summers142 Mbps
78score
10.
🇳🇱

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 High20°C summers120 Mbps
77score
11.
🇸🇬

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 High31°C summers279 Mbps
77score
12.
🇨🇿

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: High23°C summers137 Mbps
76score
13.
🇰🇷

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: Moderate28°C summers182 Mbps
76score
14.
🇵🇹

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 High26°C summers149 Mbps
76score
15.
🇦🇹

Austria

3 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 High25°C summers101 Mbps
74score
16.
🇪🇪

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: High20°C summers112 Mbps
74score
17.
🇬🇷

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: High32°C summers98 Mbps
74score
18.
🇲🇾

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: High32°C summers135 Mbps
74score
19.
🇨🇭

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: High25°C summers303 Mbps
73score
20.
🇵🇱

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 High23°C summers99 Mbps
73score
21.
🇸🇰

Slovakia

2 cities

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

~$1042/mo rentEnglish: High26°C summers92 Mbps
71score
22.
🇫🇷

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: Moderate27°C summers162 Mbps
69score
23.
🇭🇺

Hungary

1 city

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

~$918/mo rentVisa: moderateEnglish: High26°C summers80 Mbps
69score
24.
🇭🇷

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 High30°C summers
68score
25.
🇬🇧

United Kingdom

4 cities

~$2054/mo rent, full democracy. You'll survive your first month without a translator or a therapist.

~$2054/mo rentVisa: moderateFull democracy20°C summers93 Mbps
67score
26.
🇷🇸

Serbia

1 city

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

~$904/mo rentVisa: easyEnglish: High27°C summers68 Mbps
66score
27.
🇪🇸

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: Moderate29°C summers92 Mbps
65score
28.
🇺🇸

United States

11 cities

English: Very High, 177 Mbps, ~$2470/mo rent. You'll survive your first month without a translator or a therapist.

~$2470/mo rentVisa: easyEnglish: Very High31°C summers177 Mbps
65score
29.
🇦🇷

Argentina

1 city

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

~$767/mo rentVisa: easyEnglish: High27°C summers55 Mbps
63score
30.
🇮🇪

Ireland

2 cities

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

~$2264/mo rentVisa: moderateFull democracy19°C summers91 Mbps
63score
31.
🇻🇳

Vietnam

1 city

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

~$475/mo rentEnglish: Moderate34°C summers245 Mbps
63score
32.
🇮🇳

India

2 cities

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

~$246/mo rentVisa: complexEnglish: Low29°C summers87 Mbps
61score
33.
🇦🇲

Armenia

1 city

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

~$680/mo rentVisa: easyEnglish: Moderate34°C summers65 Mbps
60score
34.
🇮🇹

Italy

4 cities

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

~$1384/mo rentVisa: moderateEnglish: Moderate30°C summers70 Mbps
60score
35.
🇳🇿

New Zealand

1 city

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

~$991/mo rentFull democracy18°C summers
60score
36.
🇨🇷

Costa Rica

3 cities

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

~$866/mo rentVisa: easyFull democracyEnglish: Moderate27°C summers134 Mbps
58score
37.
🇿🇦

South Africa

1 city

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

~$1026/mo rentVisa: moderateEnglish: Very High24°C summers53 Mbps
58score
38.
🇬🇪

Georgia

2 cities

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

~$571/mo rentVisa: easyEnglish: Moderate27°C summers38 Mbps
57score
39.
🇦🇪

United Arab Emirates

1 city

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

~$2288/mo rentVisa: moderateEnglish: Moderate41°C summers378 Mbps
56score
40.
🇯🇵

Japan

1 city

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

~$1359/mo rentVisa: moderateFull democracyEnglish: Very Low28°C summers53 Mbps
55score
41.
🇦🇺

Australia

3 cities

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

~$2198/mo rentFull democracy27°C summers114 Mbps
53score
42.
🇧🇷

Brazil

2 cities

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

~$644/mo rentEnglish: Low30°C summers143 Mbps
52score
43.
🇨🇳

China

3 cities

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

~$903/mo rentVisa: complexEnglish: Low31°C summers242 Mbps
52score
44.
🇭🇰

Hong Kong

1 city

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

~$2225/mo rentVisa: moderateEnglish: Moderate30°C summers
52score
45.
🇲🇦

Morocco

1 city

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

~$495/mo rentEnglish: Low35°C summers
52score
46.
🇮🇩

Indonesia

1 city

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

~$1082/mo rentVisa: easyEnglish: Low29°C summers36 Mbps
50score
47.
🇨🇴

Colombia

1 city

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

~$703/mo rentVisa: easyEnglish: Low26°C 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 Low28°C summers133 Mbps
49score
49.
🇹🇷

Turkey

1 city

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

~$1070/mo rentVisa: easyEnglish: Low28°C summers51 Mbps
49score
50.
🇹🇭

Thailand

3 cities

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

~$625/mo rentVisa: complexEnglish: Very Low32°C summers110 Mbps
48score
51.
🇮🇱

Israel

3 cities

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

~$1723/mo rentVisa: moderateEnglish: Moderate29°C summers81 Mbps
46score
52.
🇺🇿

Uzbekistan

1 city

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

~$609/mo rentEnglish: Very Low35°C summers83 Mbps
46score
53.
🇵🇦

Panama

2 cities

English: Low. Bring a phrasebook and some patience.

Visa: easyEnglish: Low26°C summers31 Mbps
43score
54.
🇪🇬

Egypt

1 city

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

~$215/mo rentEnglish: Low35°C summers26 Mbps
41score
55.
🇲🇽

Mexico

8 cities

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

~$1006/mo rentVisa: moderateEnglish: Very Low30°C summers72 Mbps
40score
56.
🇷🇺

Russia

2 cities

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

~$1203/mo rentVisa: moderateEnglish: Moderate22°C 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 InSafest 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 (87/100), #3 Denmark (84/100), #4 Germany (81/100), #5 Romania (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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