The 4 Best Countries for Expats

The expatriate lifestyle has a lot to offer. It can be a great way to see more of the world, expand your cultural horizons, excel in your career, and enjoy opportunities to experience all kinds of things that you wouldn’t encounter if you stayed in your home country.

While some people become expatriates after moving locations for work or their families, many others choose to up sticks and live somewhere else in order to pursue a different kind of life. It’s a choice that can present challenges and necessary adjustments, but it’s also one that can be transformative, especially in the right destinations.

If the choice of where to move is in your hands, you’ll likely begin your planning process by looking at the best countries for expats, taking into consideration things like quality of life, job opportunities, safety and stability, and the current expat community there. The list of popular destinations does change every year, but there are certain countries which remain firm favourites amongst expats.

In this article, we share our list of recommendations for the best countries for expatriates to move to. Before you start to think about packing up your life, getting sorted with expat travel insurance, and starting to learn a new language, take a look at where we suggest you move to.

Mexico

It might surprise you to discover that Mexico has been ranking in the top spots on many lists of the best places for expats to live for years. Whilst the country has a reputation for being unsafe, it continues to attract a growing expat community who praise it for the friendliness of the locals and the welcoming attitudes towards foreigners who have come to live there.

In terms of job opportunities and financial benefits, the majority of expats agree that working in Mexico has been good for their career trajectory and that the relatively low cost of living makes it an attractive place to move from a financial perspective. This, combined with the appealing weather and positive culture, makes Mexico a great choice for both expats looking to retire and those wanting to live and work somewhere new.

You will find it much easier to get by in Mexico if you speak Spanish, but the language is considered to be quite easy to learn. The country still has improvements to make in terms of safety, politics and bureaucracy, but it’s a destination that we predict will stay popular with expats for the foreseeable future.

Spain

A European destination that has been a popular destination amongst expatriates for years is Spain. In the 11th edition of the Expat Insider survey, it was not only ranked as the 4th best country to live in but also took the number 1 position in the Quality of Life Index.

Living in Spain as an expat means enjoying the country’s wonderfully warm weather, famous local cuisine, and a plethora of cultural offerings and things to do. Spanish healthcare is good quality and affordable, the cost of living is much more appealing than in other European destinations, and whilst dealing with Spanish bureaucracy can sometimes be time-consuming, the welcoming nature of the country towards expats makes up for this.

Spain might be a place that you only think of as a holiday destination, from luxury villas in Sotogrande on the Costa del Sol to the cultural offerings of cities like Madrid and Barcelona, and even islands like Ibiza and Mallorca. And whilst it’s a particularly popular spot for retirees to come and enjoy a laid-back lifestyle, the experience of living here offers so much more than a vacation ever could.

Belgium

For an expatriate experience that feels cultured, safe and fruitful, Belgium is our top choice. This northern European country is ranked highly for its affordable and exceptional private healthcare, the career opportunities on offer, and the safety of its cities and towns.

Moving to Belgium is a great choice for expats with families, as it gives your children an opportunity to grow up to be multi-lingual with access to outstanding education in a very safe country. International school fees are high (as they are in most places) but your access to the country’s culture, healthcare and existing diverse community makes up for this in terms of what it offers your family.

The main downside that most expats report about living in Belgium is the weather, which is consistently grey and rainy for a lot of the year. But aside from this, the country has a lot to offer settlers from abroad and is a brilliant choice for somewhere safe, welcoming, affluent and rich in culture and history.

UAE

Our final suggestion for the best country for expats is the United Arab Emirates, which is a particularly popular choice amongst young professionals and couples pursuing success in their careers. It’s a destination that ranks very highly in terms of quality of life, and as a hub for business, innovation and finance, moving to the UAE can be a lucrative decision.

The UAE ranks incredibly well for political stability, overall safety and the availability and quality of healthcare, making it a very appealing prospect in comparison to other classic options for expats. Culture and leisure opportunities are exceptionally varied and the country’s multicultural population means that it’s a very welcoming place that feels easy to quickly settle into.

One thing that you will find about moving to the UAE is that the cost of living feels higher than a lot of other destinations around the world, so whilst job opportunities are well paid here, this correlates with the price of housing, healthcare and things like food and hobbies. However, what you get in exchange for these living costs is exceptional, so it’s a brilliant choice as a country for expats.

Relocating to start your life in a new country can be one of the most exciting and prosperous decisions that you ever make. It’s well worth doing your research before you decide where to move, as there are plenty of factors to consider before deciding if a new country is right for you. We hope that this list has helped.