The Best & Worst Countries for Expats in 2025

The latest Expat Insider 2025 report by InterNations ranks countries around the world for expat life, highlighting where living abroad is easiest, most affordable, and enjoyable.

Top Countries

1. Panama retains the top spot, with 94% of expats reporting satisfaction with life abroad. It scores highly across all indices, including quality of life, ease of settling in, personal finances, and opportunities for work and travel. Retirees make up a large share of expats, and over a third plan to stay permanently.
2. Colombia moves up to second place, praised for affordability and strong personal finances. Expats enjoy a welcoming culture and good social life, although safety concerns remain in some areas.
3. Mexico rounds out the top three, with expats highlighting friendliness, strong social connections, and ease of adapting to local life. Leisure options and healthcare are good, though safety and environmental issues remain.

Bottom Countries Countries at the lower end of the rankings face significant challenges. South Korea (44th) struggles with work-life balance, language barriers, and political/economic uncertainties. Türkiye (45th) and Kuwait (46th) rank poorly for safety, ease of settling in, and quality of life, despite strong job markets in some sectors.

The report underscores that while some countries offer welcoming communities and high life satisfaction, others require careful planning due to safety, cultural, or bureaucratic challenges.

The survey evaluates countries based on various factors, including quality of life, ease of settling in, personal finance, working abroad, and expat essentials.The National+2New York Post+2

The Top 10 Best Countries for Expats in 2025 1. Panama Panama continues to lead the rankings, with all five indices placing in the top 3. Notably, 94% of expats in Panama express satisfaction with their life abroad. The country is particularly appealing to retirees, with 35% of respondents already retired, compared to the global average of 11%.

2. Colombia Climbing from 5th place in 2024, Colombia ranks 2nd in 2025. The low cost of living and affordable housing contribute to a high satisfaction rate among expats. However, safety concerns remain, with 43% of respondents citing it as a major issue before moving.

3. Mexico Mexico ranks 3rd, excelling in ease of settling in and personal finances. Expats find it easy to make local friends, and the cost of living is relatively low. However, safety and air quality are areas of concern.

4. Thailand Thailand offers a welcoming culture and affordable living, making it an attractive destination for expats. The country's rich culture and cuisine are additional draws.

5. Vietnam Vietnam provides a vibrant culture and low cost of living, appealing to expats seeking an affordable lifestyle. The country's rapid development also offers new opportunities.

6. China China has seen an improvement in its ranking, rising 13 spots compared to the previous year. Expats are drawn to the country's economic opportunities and rich history.

7. United Arab Emirates (UAE) The UAE ranks 7th, offering high salaries and a tax-free income. The country's modern infrastructure and safety contribute to its appeal.

8. Indonesia Indonesia offers a low cost of living and a rich cultural experience, attracting expats seeking an affordable lifestyle in a vibrant setting.

9. Spain Spain provides a high quality of life, excellent healthcare, and a relaxed lifestyle, making it a popular choice among expats.

10. Malaysia Malaysia offers a blend of modern amenities and traditional culture, with a relatively low cost of living and good healthcare system.

Bottom 5 Countries for Expats in 2025

44. Germany Germany faces challenges in expat satisfaction, with issues related to bureaucracy and high cost of living.

45. Finland Despite its high quality of life, Finland's remote location and high cost of living contribute to its lower ranking.

46. South Korea South Korea experienced a significant drop in rankings, falling from 23rd in 2024 to 44th in 2025. Expats cite long working hours and a challenging job market as key issues.

47. Türkiye Türkiye faces challenges with bureaucracy, language barriers, and political instability, affecting expat satisfaction.

48. Kuwait Kuwait ranks last, with expats reporting difficulties in settling in, limited social life, and high living costs.

For a comprehensive overview of all 46 countries ranked in the Expat Insider 2025 survey, please refer to the full report.

Source InterNations, The Best & Worst Countries for Expats in 2025 (released September, 2 2025).

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