Best Countries for Expats 2026

by Anonymous

Expat destinations in 2026 span budget-friendly Southeast Asian havens to high-quality European welfare states. Panama tops the InterNations Expat Insider Survey for the second consecutive year, combining affordability with pensionado visa programs. Digital nomad visas from 50+ countries have expanded options, but healthcare quality, safety, and visa stability remain the deciding factors.

Panama

~$1,277
monthly living expenses
Good (private hospitals)
healthcare quality
Pensionado visa available
visa ease
Spanish (English widely spoken)
language
Moderate
safety rating

Thailand

~$877
monthly living expenses
Excellent (medical tourism hub)
healthcare quality
Long-term resident visa available
visa ease
Thai (English in cities)
language
Good
safety rating

Portugal

~$1,800
monthly living expenses
Excellent (public system)
healthcare quality
D7 passive income visa
visa ease
Portuguese (English common)
language
Very high
safety rating

Mexico

~$1,100
monthly living expenses
Good (varies by city)
healthcare quality
Temporary resident visa
visa ease
Spanish
language
Varies by region
safety rating

Indonesia

~$583
monthly living expenses
Moderate (private recommended)
healthcare quality
Digital nomad visa (B211A)
visa ease
Bahasa (English in Bali)
language
Good
safety rating

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