Every year, thousands of people choose a new country to live in, based on quality of life, job opportunities, and how easy it is to adapt. Find out which countries are the best places to move to in 2026, why Panama has once again topped the list, and which European countries made it into the top 10
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Moving abroad remains one of the most important decisions for many people, and the choice of country often determines their future quality of life. A new study, Expat Insider 2026, which surveyed nearly 8,000 expats, revealed which countries are currently the most livable after relocation. Euronews reports on the results of the ranking.
Survey participants evaluated their lives in their new country based on several key criteria: job opportunities, personal finances, quality of life, ease of relocation, and ease of adaptation upon arrival.
Which countries ranked as the best for expats in 2026?
For the third year in a row, Panama has taken first place in the ranking. This Central American country received high marks for the ease of relocation, smooth integration into local society, and comfortable living conditions for foreigners.
According to the study’s findings:
● 87% of expats in Panama are satisfied with their move, while the global average is about 70%;
● the country ranked second in terms of ease of settling in and simplicity of relocation;
● respondents positively rated the friendliness of local residents, quick adaptation to the new environment, and the relatively straightforward visa application process.
Interestingly, nearly a third of expats who moved to Panama plan to stay there permanently.
Mexico took second place in the ranking. It was the leader in terms of ease of settling in. Expats note that it’s easy to make new friends here, adapt quickly to the local way of life, and feel like welcome guests.
Third place went to Thailand, which received the highest ratings for personal happiness among expats.
According to the study’s findings:
● 86% of foreigners who moved to Thailand are satisfied with their lives;
● 42% of respondents plan to stay in the country permanently;
● affordable housing and a low cost of living are cited as key advantages.
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Which European countries made the list of the best places for expats to live?
Despite Europe’s traditionally high standard of living, only three European countries made it into the top ten this year, and none of them ranked among the top three.
Spain achieved the best result among European countries, ranking sixth. Expats highly value:
● a comfortable climate;
● well-developed public transportation;
● ample opportunities for travel within the country and across Europe.
Portugal ranked eighth, while Luxembourg rounded out the top ten.
For those planning to move or take a long trip to European countries in their own car, it’s worth taking care of not only the necessary documents but also mandatory insurance in advance. In particular, you can quickly apply for a Green Card for traveling abroad online at Visit Ukraine, which will allow you to use your car without any issues in most European countries.
What criteria were used to evaluate countries for relocation?
In the Expat Insider 2026 ranking, expats evaluated countries across five key areas:
● opportunities for working abroad;
● personal financial situation;
● quality of life;
● ease of organizing the move;
● ease of adapting and settling in after the move.
It was the combination of these indicators that made it possible to compile the overall ranking of the best countries for expats to live in 2026.
We remind you! Global migration involves more than 304 million people, and most of them are labor migrants. India, China, and Mexico top the list of countries by number of migrants, while the United States and the UAE are among the most popular destinations. Read more about where migrants most often come from and the key features of migration statistics.
Photo: magnific / freepik
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Frequantly
asked questions
Which European countries are best suited for relocation in 2026?
Spain, Portugal, and Luxembourg made it into the top ten of the ranking. Spain ranked highest among them, coming in sixth place.
What factors are most important when choosing a country to move to?
Most often, expats consider employment opportunities, income and cost of living, quality of life, housing affordability, ease of obtaining documents, and how quickly they can adapt.
Do Ukrainians need a Green Card to travel by car to European countries?
Yes. For most European countries, the “Green Card” international insurance certificate is a mandatory document for entry and travel by car. It must be obtained at least one day before the start of the trip, as the policy takes effect only the following day. For this same reason, it is no longer possible to obtain a Green Card at the border.
