Panama has topped the 2026 Expat Insider rankings for the third consecutive year, once again earning the No. 1 spot thanks to exceptional scores in both the Working Abroad and Personal Finance indices. Please confirm all international‑survey information with a trusted source.
According to InterNations, 87% of expats in Panama say they are happy with life abroad far higher than the 70% global average and 90% report that housing is easy to find, a major factor in the country’s continued dominance.
The 2026 survey assessed 31 destinations across five categories:
Quality of life
Ease of settling in
Working abroad
Personal finance
Practical essentials (housing, digital services)
This year, friendliness and affordability had the biggest impact on rankings. Seven of the top 10 countries were among the easiest places for newcomers to settle, while five ranked highest globally for personal finance.
Expats interviewed across the top five destinations described why they moved, how they adapted, and what future newcomers should expect.
Top 10 Countries for Expats in 2026
Panama
Mexico
Thailand
UAE
Brazil
Spain
Singapore
Portugal
Malaysia
Luxembourg
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