Move to Taiwan
Everything a future Taiwan settler needs to know. Residency, money, safety — the stuff the tourism board won't put on a poster.
Taiwan at a Glance
1BR rent / mo
Democracy index
Homicides / 100k
English level
How to actually stay
Visas, residency, and the paperwork mountain between you and a lease
Visa routes we know about
Can your partner work?
Because 'trailing spouse' shouldn't mean 'trailing income'
Spouse can apply for a Dependent ARC which includes an open work permit, but it must be applied for separately.
Source: official guidance
Where to land in Taiwan
One city, no paradox of choice
What it costs to exist
Real monthly numbers, not what the expat blog says
$735
priciest 1BR / mo
Rent + food + transport + utilities, averaged across 1 cities. No gym membership, no brunch budget.
How rich is everyone, really
GDP, taxes, and other numbers politicians argue about
$35,510
GDP per capita
3.4%
Unemployment
2.2%
Inflation
Moderate inequality — some neighborhoods will feel like different countries.
Will the government leave you alone?
Democracy, press freedom, and whether you should use a VPN
8.92/10
🏛️ Full democracy
Is Taiwan safe?
Homicide rates and the stats that matter for sleeping at night
Safe enough to stop thinking about it. Standard urban awareness applies.
Can you order coffee?
The language situation, no sugarcoating
Mandarin
Primary language
Moderate
English proficiency (#44 globally)
English won't carry you far here. Learning Mandarin isn't optional — it's the price of admission.
❓ Moving to Taiwan — Common Questions
What is the best city to move to in Taiwan?▾
Based on our Livability Score, Taipei ranks #1 in Taiwan with a score of 76/100. City-centre rent starts around $735/month.
How much does it cost to live in Taiwan?▾
City-centre 1-bedroom rent ranges from $735 to $735/month across our 1 tracked cities. Average monthly solo expenses are around $1,044.
Is Taiwan a democracy?▾
Taiwan scores 8.92/10 on the EIU Democracy Index and is classified as a "Full democracy."
Is Taiwan safe to live in?▾
The average homicide rate across our tracked cities in Taiwan is 0.6 per 100,000 people. That's quite safe by global standards.