There are more than 8 million people from the United States living abroad right now, according to World Population Review. An increase in digital nomad programs and the general flexibility to work from anywhere have made it easier than ever to install oneself in a foreign country for a prolonged period.
If you’re thinking of moving abroad and wondering where you might go, the experience and insight of others who have taken the leap might help with the decision.
To that end, InterNations, an expat community with more than 5.5 million members worldwide, has just published the results of its 12th annual Expat Insider survey. More than 10,000 respondents representing 172 nationalities rated their satisfaction levels with various aspects of expat life in 46 countries, based on five indices: quality of life, ease of settling in, working abroad, personal finance, and the expat essentials index, which includes housing, administration (such as visas), and language.
Oh, and a note about the word expat: In the case of Internations’ survey, expat refers to people living outside their home country. For some, their experience abroad is temporary, while others intend to stay (which would in turn make them immigrants). Read on to find out what survey respondents love about their adopted countries. It might make you want to move abroad.
The 10 best countries for expats to live abroad
- Panama
- Colombia
- Mexico
- Thailand
- Vietnam
- China
- United Arab Emirates
- Indonesia
- Spain
- Malaysia
The best country in the world for expats is Panama
The Boca de Tomatlan Beach is popular with expats and locals living in Puerto Vallarto 20 minutes’ north.
Photo by Carlos O. Flores/Shutterstock
After taking first place in 2024, Panama has again been voted the best country to live and work in abroad, according to InterNations’ annual Expat Insider survey. A cool 94 percent of expats in Panama are happy living there, thanks to the country’s beautiful natural environment, an affordable cost of living, and the ease of settling in.
Other benefits to living in Panama, according to International Living, a publication dedicated to life abroad that placed Panama at the top of its own annual report on the best places to retire, include the modern infrastructure of the capital, Panama City; the widespread availability of high-speed internet; and the use of the U.S. dollar, which makes finances easier to compute.
Another reason Panama ranked high in the InterNations survey is its pensionado visa program, which makes it easy for retirees to relocate to the country. This visa requires holders to have a minimum of $1,000 per month in income, and the pile of required paperwork is small.
Indeed, InterNations’ Expat Insider survey found that 78 percent of expats in Panama are satisfied with their financial situation, compared to the global average of 54 percent, putting the country at No. 3, globally, for financial satisfaction, after Colombia and Vietnam.
The ease of finding affordable housing also makes Panama an attractive place for relocation, with 71 percent of expats (compared to 34 percent globally) reporting a positive experience.
Ample opportunities to travel, eat great cuisine, and enjoy a pleasant climate are among the reasons Panama is such a great home base for foreigners abroad. So great, in fact, that 35 percent of expats said they plan to stay forever (compared to 24 percent who say that globally).
Best countries for expats in North and South America
Mexico
For the second year running, Mexico has claimed the No. 2 spot. It’s ranked among the top five since the survey’s inception in 2014.
Expats love Mexico, with 89 percent reporting they are happy with their lives abroad. The North American country ranked No. 1 for “ease of settling in,” with expats citing the ease of adapting to the local culture and the friendliness of locals, which extends to making new friends. The majority of expats (79 percent) say they feel at home in Mexico, and 67 percent are satisfied with their jobs, although 31 percent of expats in Mexico are already retired.
Colombia
After ranking No. 5 in 2025, Colombia is now more popular than ever, especially for the financial benefits. The Expat Survey reports that 81 percent of expats in Colombia are satisfied with their financial situation (versus 54 percent globally). An impressive 92 percent say their disposable household income is enough to lead a comfortable life (versus 69 percent globally). Colombia also ranks high for its warm, welcoming culture and the friendliness of locals, not to mention it has plenty of fun things to do and a good health-care system.
Related: This South American Destination Is Known as the “City of Eternal Spring"—but Music Is Its Soul
Best countries for expats in Europe
Expats in Spain looking for a gorgeous place to live can head straight for Málaga.
Mazur Travel/Shutterstock
Spain is the only country in Europe to rank within the top 10 (Cyprus is next, at No. 14)—down to No. 9 after being at No. 4 in 2024. Still, the country ranked No. 1 for quality of life and No. 4 for overall happiness level, and 84 percent of expats here—compared to 67 percent globally—say they’re happy in Spain.
That’s no surprise: A 2025 annual report from real estate, tourism, and economic development consulting group Resonance ranked both Madrid and Barcelona among the top 10 cities in Europe to visit or live in. Spain ranked first for good weather, culture, and nightlife, as well as recreational sports opportunities—and, should you sprain your ankle playing fútbol, the country has an affordable, accessible, and high-quality health-care system. Plus, it’s easy to get around, thanks to a good public transportation infrastructure (including for bikes).
Other European countries that ranked in the top 20 best countries for expats are Cyprus (14), Portugal (17), and Luxembourg (18).
Best countries for expats in Asia and the Middle East
In Thailand, the cuisine and cost of living get high marks from expats.
Photo by Lisheng Chang/Unsplash
Asian contenders swept half the list of the best countries for life abroad. China (at No. 6) had a huge jump this year, rising from No. 19.
Expats in Thailand (No. 4) are the world’s second-happiest expat population, after that of Panama; they cite how easy it is to find housing, enjoy plentiful leisure options, and achieve a comfortable cost of living. Vietnam came in at No. 5 over, but ranked first for its affordability and ease of finding housing. China (at No. 6) pushed its way toward the top thanks to a relatively affordable cost of living (94 percent of survey respondents said their disposable income is enough) and good access to leisure options. Indonesia (No. 8) ranks high for friendly locals, the ease of settling in, and affordability. Malaysia (at No. 10) ranks third on the expat essentials index because housing is simple to find and English is widely spoken. All five countries in Asia are beloved by expats for their myriad culinary options, from the best street noodles of your life to fine-dining restaurants (think Michelin-starred Peking duck).
As for the Middle East, the United Arab Emirates ranked at No. 7, due to impressive ratings on quality of life (despite the high cost of living), great leisure options, the ease of settling in, expat essentials, and quality, accessible health care.
Check the full list to see how all 46 countries in Internations’ survey fared.
This story was originally published in July 2023 and was updated on September 2, 2025, to include current information.
