According to the Expat Insider 2026 annual survey conducted by the InterNations international community, Panama has once again topped the ranking of the best countries for foreigners to live in. The state holds the lead for the third year in a row, scoring high points for ease of adaptation and ease of solving bureaucratic issues, including obtaining a visa.About 87% of the respondents said they were satisfied with their lives, and one in three planned to stay in the country forever.
Almost 8,000 expats from 162 countries took part in the survey. Respondents assessed their satisfaction with life abroad in five key categories: work, personal finances, quality of life, basic needs, and ease of adapting to a new culture.
The second place in the rating was taken by Mexico, which has become the best in terms of ease of adaptation. Expats say that it is very easy to find friends there and feel welcome. Thailand closes the top three , where the highest level of happiness among foreigners is recorded: 86% of respondents are satisfied with life, and 42% want to stay there forever. Expats especially appreciate the low cost of living and affordable housing.
Europe is represented in the top ten by only three countries this year. Spain was recognized as the best on the continent, taking sixth place in the overall standings. She topped the rating for quality of life due to excellent weather, affordable transportation and travel opportunities. It was followed by Portugal (eighth place) and Luxembourg (tenth), which became the best in terms of salaries and job security.
At the same time, some European countries found themselves outsiders. Norway got the last place: expats complain about difficulties with adaptation and low quality of life. Germany took the 30th place out of 31, receiving the worst marks for bureaucracy, housing search, digital services and the language barrier. The UK and Turkey are ranked 28th and 29th respectively.
Top 10 countries for expats to live in in 2026:
- Panama
- Mexico
- Thailand
- UAE
- Brazil
- Spain
- Singapore
- Portugal
- Malaysia
- Luxembourg
Source: Euronews
