Panama ranks first among the world’s best countries for expats in 2026, holding the top spot for a third straight year in an annual survey of nearly 8,000 people living abroad, while Norway finished last of the 31 destinations studied.
The findings come from the 2026 Expat Insider survey, published in July by InterNations, a Munich-based network for people who live outside their home country.
Researchers polled 7,786 respondents of 162 nationalities between Feb. 1 and March 31, rating each destination on quality of life, ease of settling in, working abroad, personal finance, and expat essentials.
The 5 best countries for expats in 2026
The world’s best countries for expats this year stretch from Central America to the Persian Gulf.
Panama led the Working Abroad and Personal Finance indices and placed second for ease of settling in and expat essentials. Ninety percent of respondents said finding housing is easy, and 82% called the visa process simple, compared with 55% worldwide.
Mexico topped the Ease of Settling In Index along with each of its three subcategories. Seventy-three percent said making local friends is easy, compared with 39% globally, and the country ranked first for climate and for culture and nightlife.
Thailand is home to the survey’s happiest expats, with 86% content with life abroad compared with 70% globally. It recorded the best-rated cost of living, viewed favorably by 85% of respondents, and the friendliest local residents. Air quality was the drawback, rated positively by only a third.
The United Arab Emirates built its fourth-place finish on first-place results for expat essentials and career prospects, though it ranked 18th for personal finance. Brazil rounded out the top five and placed fifth in the happiness ranking.
The 5 worst countries for expats in 2026
Norway finished 31st and last, with the least satisfied expats in the survey. Fewer than half, 46%, said they are happy with life abroad, compared with 70% globally. Every subcategory and rating factor in the Ease of Settling In Index placed last.
Germany ranked 30th and finished last in the Expat Essentials Index. It placed 31st for the online availability of administrative services, home internet speed, and cashless payment options, and 61% said dealing with local bureaucracy is difficult, against 39% globally.
Turkey came 29th and recorded the world’s worst results for working abroad. Sixty-one percent rated the state of the economy negatively, compared with 20% globally, and only 30% viewed political stability positively, compared with 58%. Just 13% intend to stay permanently, compared with 27% worldwide.
The United Kingdom placed 28th, with expats there among the least happy in the survey and the country ranking 29th for personal finance. Canada, in 27th, was one of only two non-European destinations in the bottom 10 and finished last in the Personal Finance Index.
All countries ranked for expats in 2026
31. Norway
30. Germany
29. Turkey
28. United Kingdom
27. Canada
26. Sweden
25. Czechia
24. Italy
23. Austria
22. Switzerland
21. Netherlands
20. United States
19. Japan
18. Ireland
17. Poland
16. Denmark
15. Belgium
14. France
13. South Africa
12. Saudi Arabia
11. Australia
10. Luxembourg
9. Malaysia
8. Portugal
7. Singapore
6. Spain
5. Brazil
4. United Arab Emirates
3. Thailand
2. Mexico
1. Panama
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