For millions of people contemplating life beyond their home country, the question is no longer simply where they can earn more. Increasingly, it is about where they can build a life that feels easier, happier and more fulfilling.
The 2026 Expat Insider survey by InterNations, which assessed 31 destinations across quality of life, ease of settling in, working abroad, personal finance and practical essentials, offers some interesting answers. Affordability and friendliness emerged as particularly important factors this year. Seven of the top 10 destinations also ranked among the easiest places for expats to settle in, while five featured among the strongest destinations for personal finance.
Here are the five countries that led the 2026 ranking — and what makes them attractive to people who have actually made the move.
Panama retained the top position for the third consecutive year, helped by particularly strong performances in working abroad and personal finance.
The country stands out for:
87 percent of expats saying they are happy with life abroad, against 70 percent globally
90 percent saying housing is easy to find
Strong scores for working abroad and personal finance
A relatively stable economy that makes financial and business planning easier
For many expats, however, Panama's attraction goes beyond numbers. Life on the Caribbean coast offers a slower rhythm, with beaches, tropical surroundings and a stronger connection with the outdoors.
Ariel Barrionuevo, who moved from Argentina to Panama's Caribbean coast eight years ago, says the change brought better sleep and a greater sense of presence. His experience reflects a broader attraction: people are not merely moving to a beautiful destination but choosing a different pace of life.
Panama City also appeals to remote workers. Reliable internet, co-working facilities and the country's dollarised economy make everyday working and banking relatively straightforward.
Lower utility, insurance and property-tax costs can make the overall cost of living attractive
Island life can come with delivery delays and unpredictable weather
The experience rewards people willing to embrace a slower lifestyle
Beaches, roadside fruit stalls and surfing are part of the everyday appeal
Mexico ranked second overall and took the top spot for ease of settling in, making it the world's highest-ranked destination on this measure.
The social advantage is striking:
73 percent of expats say making local friends is easy
Expats are far more likely to have predominantly local social circles than the global average
Lower living costs remain an important attraction
Food, community and an easygoing social environment strengthen the sense of belonging
For expats in Puerto Vallarta, the combination of beaches and community is particularly compelling. One long-term resident who moved from Chicago in 2022 found the friendships she built in Mexico stronger than many she had formed back home.
Everyday expenses can also be significantly lower than in the US, although healthcare and other costs vary depending on circumstances.
Mexico's biggest weakness in the ranking is safety. It stood 25th out of 31 countries for safety and security, with 68 percent of expats rating their personal safety positively compared with 81 percent globally.
Local markets and neighbourhood food are central to daily life
Community is one of the country's strongest advantages
Cost of living can be considerably lower than in the US
Safety remains an important consideration for prospective expats
Thailand's third-place finish is driven by a powerful combination: affordability, happiness, culture and lifestyle.
It recorded the highest score in the survey for cost of living, with 85 percent of expats rating it positively. It also produced the happiest expat population in the ranking, with 86 percent reporting satisfaction with life abroad.
For newcomers, Thailand can feel immediately accessible. Street food, relatively low daily expenses and a vibrant urban environment make cities such as Bangkok attractive to people seeking a high quality of life without Western-level costs.
But the country's appeal is not purely financial.
British expat Bethan Jeentipraphet moved from Devon with her Thai husband in 2024, initially planning to stay for a year. The experience changed those plans quickly. She also believes Thailand's emphasis on respect and education had a positive effect on her son.
Long-term expat Aaron Henry, who moved from Los Angeles more than a decade ago, highlights another feature of Thailand: its ability to modernise without losing its cultural identity. Bangkok has expanded its international food scene, parks, galleries and luxury malls while retaining distinctive Thai neighbourhoods and traditions.
Affordability is one of the country's biggest advantages
Food and everyday living costs remain attractive
Bangkok combines modern infrastructure with traditional culture
Understanding local customs is essential
Exploring neighbourhoods beyond tourist hotspots offers a more authentic experience
For newcomers, adapting to Thai customs — from removing shoes before entering homes to observing local etiquette — can make the transition considerably smoother.
The United Arab Emirates ranks fourth, driven by strong scores for career prospects and expat essentials, including visas and language.
The country's appeal is particularly strong for professionals seeking international careers.
Key advantages include:
Strong career opportunities
Relatively straightforward expat infrastructure
Accessible visa systems
A highly international population
Efficient services and healthcare
A lifestyle that many expats consider safe and convenient
Dubai may dominate the international image of the UAE, but life beyond its luxury malls and skyscrapers can offer a very different experience.
Expats recommend using the Metro during rush hour, walking through Bur Dubai and Deira, crossing Dubai Creek by traditional abra and eating at neighbourhood restaurants. These experiences reveal a more ordinary side of the city.
The survey was conducted in February and March 2026, both before and after the outbreak of the US-Iran conflict, meaning the results only partially capture its impact. Despite the uncertainty, expats interviewed for the survey described daily life as continuing largely normally.
Outside Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah offers a slower alternative. Expats there point to less traffic, fewer daily hassles, access to beaches and mountains, and more family time.
Dubai offers extensive international infrastructure and career opportunities
Traditional neighbourhoods provide a different view of UAE life
Ras Al Khaimah appeals to those seeking a quieter lifestyle
Healthcare and public services are seen as efficient
The country's international population makes it easier for newcomers to build global social networks
Brazil entered the top five for the first time in 2026, powered by strong scores for happiness, friendliness, culture and ease of settling in.
For expats, the biggest attraction may be less tangible than salary, housing or infrastructure: the warmth of Brazilian social life.
People who have relocated to São Paulo describe a culture in which friendships can develop rapidly and newcomers are often welcomed into local social circles.
Brazil offers:
Strong scores for happiness
A welcoming social environment
Rich cultural experiences
A vibrant outdoor lifestyle
A strong sense of community
For those looking to learn Portuguese, the country can also offer an immersive environment because English is not widely spoken in everyday life. This can push newcomers to learn the local language faster.
São Paulo provides a particularly diverse experience, from the bars and bakeries of Vila Madalena and Bela Vista to the Japanese neighbourhood of Liberdade and the vast green spaces of Ibirapuera Park.
Social connections can develop quickly
Local friendliness helps newcomers feel included
Portuguese immersion can accelerate language learning
São Paulo offers extraordinary cultural and culinary diversity
Outdoor life and warm weather add to the attraction
The complete top 10 in the Expat Insider ranking is:
Panama
Mexico
Thailand
United Arab Emirates
Brazil
Spain
Singapore
Portugal
Malaysia
Luxembourg
The most interesting feature of this year's list is that the winning formula is not simply high salaries or sophisticated infrastructure.
Across the five leading destinations, three themes repeatedly emerge:
Affordability: Thailand, Panama and Mexico score particularly well on the financial side.
Belonging: Mexico and Brazil stand out for their friendliness and ease of forming local connections.
Lifestyle: Panama, Thailand and the UAE demonstrate that quality of life can be as important as career prospects.
For anyone considering an international move, the rankings suggest that choosing a country is increasingly about more than finding a job. The strongest destinations combine financial practicality with social connection, cultural experiences and a lifestyle that people actually want to live.
And that may be the biggest lesson from the 2026 rankings: the best place to live abroad is not necessarily the place where life looks most impressive from the outside. It is the place where everyday life works best.
