More people are living outside their home countries than at any prior point in recorded history. Moving abroad is no longer just for diplomats or high-level executives. It has become a genuine lifestyle choice for millions, and the global expat community now includes digital nomads, retirees, remote workers, and skilled professionals all searching for the same thing: a country that actually wants them there.
InterNations recently released its Expat Insider 2025 survey ranking the best countries for expats, surveying over 10,000 expats across 46 destinations based on five key categories: working abroad, personal finance, quality of life, expat essentials, and ease of settling in. The results are surprising, reshaping what we thought we knew about life abroad. Let’s dive in.
1. Panama: The Undisputed Champion of Expat Life
Here’s a fact that might catch you off guard: a small Central American country with a population of roughly four million has beaten the entire world when it comes to welcoming foreigners. Panama topped the list as the friendliest country for expats in 2024, pushing Mexico to the second spot since the previous year. After taking first place in 2024, Panama has again been voted the best country to live and work in abroad, according to InterNations’ annual Expat Insider survey.
The InterNations Expat Insider survey found that roughly three quarters of expats in Panama are satisfied with their financial situation, placing the country at number three globally for financial satisfaction, after Colombia and Vietnam. The ease of finding affordable housing also makes Panama an attractive place for relocation, with the vast majority of expats reporting a positive experience, compared to only about a third globally. Panama also uses the US dollar, eliminating currency exchange complications for Americans, while the cost of living remains significantly lower than the United States or Western Europe.
The Friendly Nations Visa is available to citizens of over 50 specific countries, while the Pensionado Visa is designed for retirees with a lifetime pension of at least $1,000 per month. Roughly one in three expats say they plan to stay forever, compared to roughly one in four who say that globally.
2. Mexico: Warmth, Culture, and a Life Well Lived
Mexico comes in at the second spot in InterNations’ 2024 rankings for friendliness toward expats, and it continues to win hearts with its warmth and vibrancy. Mexico wins expats’ love due to the friendliness of its people. The vast majority of respondents noted that they feel welcome in the country, and Mexico is ranked first in terms of getting used to the local culture and second when it comes to finding local friends.
Expats in Mexico report high satisfaction with their decision to relocate, with a very large share expressing happiness. Those who move to this beautiful country find themselves immersed in a rich, friendly culture with no shortage of leisure activities, and a high quality of life and fantastic work-life balance make it one of the most popular expat destinations in the world.
Mexico’s embrace of remote work has accelerated, with cities like Mexico City, Mérida, and Puerto Vallarta developing coworking ecosystems. The growing digital nomad community has prompted investment in better internet infrastructure, though reliability varies significantly by location. Despite high satisfaction, concerns around safety and affordability keep Mexico from the very top spot. Only about two thirds of expats in Mexico report feeling safe, compared to roughly four in five worldwide.
3. Colombia: The Biggest Mover and a Rising Star
Colombia’s transformation is nothing short of remarkable. Climbing from fifth place in 2024 to number two in 2025, Colombia ranked as the second-best country for expats overall. The survey found that roughly four in five respondents are satisfied with their financial situation in Colombia. Colombia also ranked highly in the quality of life index, with the vast majority of respondents stating that their disposable household income is sufficient to lead a comfortable life.
Medellín, Colombia’s second-largest city with a population of 2.5 million, has transformed from its turbulent past into one of Latin America’s most dynamic destinations. Nestled in the Aburrá Valley at 1,500 meters elevation, the city enjoys year-round spring-like weather with temperatures averaging 22°C, earning it the nickname “City of Eternal Spring.” This modern metropolis offers an exceptional quality of life at a fraction of the cost found in major North American or European cities.
The overall cost of living in Medellín is around 58% lower than in Miami, Florida. A remarkable share of expats said they wanted to stay in Colombia forever, and nearly half said they have no clear plans of leaving the country. Honestly, that says it all.
4. Spain: Europe’s Expat Goldmine
Spain is the only European country that consistently holds its own against Latin American and Southeast Asian competition. Spain claims the top spot in the Quality of Life Index for multiple consecutive years. Despite not scoring in the top ten in every index, Spain still ranks highly overall, with the vast majority of expats saying they are happy there, far above the global average.
Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, and Bilbao all boast large English-speaking expat communities, while the coastal city of Valencia is quickly gaining traction as a coveted spot, ranking first in InterNations’ 2024 Quality of Life Index. While some expenses such as rent have increased in recent years, other key costs such as groceries, utilities, and public transportation remain relatively low. The healthcare system is one of the best in the world, and after living in the country for a year, public care is available for a monthly fee well under $200.
Spain also offers a non-lucrative visa option for those who can show adequate savings or passive income, and you can also apply for a digital nomad visa as a remote worker. According to the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association, Spain is also one of the most culturally liberal and welcoming countries. In 2005, it became one of the first to legalize same-sex marriage, and it hosts one of the world’s largest Pride celebrations, drawing around 1.5 million visitors every year.
5. Indonesia: Work-Life Balance at Its Finest
Indonesia might not be the first country you think of when it comes to expat life, but the data tells a different story. Indonesia has shot up to the third spot on the list of top destination countries for expats, thanks to its welcoming attitude toward foreigners, exceptionally low cost of living, and phenomenal work-life balance, which the vast majority of expats praise.
Indonesia makes the vast majority of expats happy with its low living costs, friendly local population, and pleasant work-life balance. Residents in Indonesia work only about 38.8 hours per week, while the global average is 42.5 hours. The country ranks first in terms of overall job satisfaction and personal career opportunities.
Social integration happens organically in Indonesia, with the InterNations survey showing the vast majority of expats describing locals as friendly and welcoming. Indonesia does face significant challenges in healthcare and digital infrastructure. Medical facilities outside major urban centers often fail to meet Western standards, prompting many expats to maintain international health insurance. Internet reliability also varies dramatically between locations.
6. Thailand: Digital Nomad Heaven in Southeast Asia
Thailand is among the friendliest countries, making it easy for expats to settle in. Respondents placed Thailand in the top ten in terms of feeling welcome and at home, finding friends, and getting used to the country’s culture. Thailand also ranked first for housing affordability and ease of finding accommodation.
If you are searching for a location that prioritizes ease of living, Thailand may be the ideal choice. You can complete most tasks, from getting a taxi to ordering groceries, through one app called Grab. Think of it like having an all-in-one digital assistant for daily life, but at a fraction of what you would pay in Europe or North America. It is that convenient.
The Thailand Elite Visa is a long-term tourist visa that allows investors to live in the country for five to fifteen years. Its cost ranges from $25,500 to $71,000. Malaysia and Thailand both stand out for affordability. According to the InterNations index, a high-quality local meal in Malaysia costs the equivalent of about $2. Thailand offers similarly competitive pricing, making everyday life remarkably budget-friendly for most Western expats.
7. Vietnam: The World’s Most Affordable Expat Destination
Let’s be real: few countries can match Vietnam when it comes to financial freedom for expats. For the fourth consecutive year, Vietnam is the most affordable country in the world for expats, ranking first out of 53 destinations when it comes to personal finances, according to a 2024 InterNations study.
Out of surveyed expats living in Vietnam, the vast majority rate its cost of living favorably, more than twice the global average, and a large share say their disposable household income is more than enough to lead a comfortable life, compared to far fewer globally. Vietnam is well-known for offering a high standard of living at a low price. According to 2025 data, the cost of living in Vietnam is around 59.5% lower than in the United Kingdom and 60.1% lower than in the United States.
As an expat living in Vietnam, you are likely to want to live in one of the big cities. Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang are favourites among expats, offering a modern standard of living at very affordable costs, along with large expat communities to help you settle in. Not only are costs of living low, expats tend to be paid more in Vietnam, with close to double the global average reporting a gross yearly income of $150,000 or more.
8. Malaysia: The Long-Stay Program That Actually Works
Malaysia tends to fly under the radar, and honestly, that is part of its charm. The welcoming nature of the locals allows you to build a community with relative ease. Rather than rushing around, residents tend to take their time, making it the perfect place to land if you are looking for a slower pace of life. Malaysia is also incredibly affordable.
The Malaysia My Second Home program is a long-term visa initiative designed to attract foreign nationals to live, invest, and retire in the country. Relaunched in 2024 with major updates, it now offers three-tiered options that accommodate different income levels and lifestyle needs. As of mid-2025, there were about 57,608 active holders under the program.
Expats can buy property in Malaysia, and once you purchase a home, apartment, or lot, property taxes are relatively low. All types of healthcare, from minor surgeries to clinic visits, are cheaper than the same services would be in the United States. It is the kind of place where you can actually build a life, not just survive one.
9. Costa Rica: Where Settling In Feels Effortless
Costa Rica was named the most expat-friendly country in 2024 when it comes to the ease of settling in. The country ranked first for two of the three subcategories and placed in the top ten across all factors of the index. That is a remarkable achievement and one that speaks directly to the warmth of its people.
Costa Rica was named the most expat-friendly country in the 2024 ease-of-settling-in rankings, ranking first for two of the three subcategories and placing in the top ten across all factors of that particular index. The Ease of Settling In Index is based on three subcategories. Local Friendliness looks at how welcoming locals are in general and toward expats specifically. Finding Friends assesses whether expats have a personal support network and whether making local friends is easy. Culture and Welcome covers the ease of adapting to the local culture, the sense of being welcomed, and the feeling of home.
Expats in Costa Rica are less likely to be friends only with other expats, with a relatively small share saying their friends are mostly local residents, well below the global average. That statistic matters more than it sounds. Deep integration into the local fabric of a country is the true measure of how welcome foreigners really feel, and Costa Rica delivers that in spades.
Conclusion: The World Is More Open Than You Think
The data from these surveys paints a clear picture: expats thrive where they feel genuinely welcomed, where their money stretches further, and where the bureaucratic process does not feel like a punishment. Latin America and Southeast Asia dominate the top spots for 2024 and 2025, while traditional European destinations like Spain hold their own with healthcare and quality of life.
InterNations conducts an annual survey of expats to find out which countries are most welcoming to expats and foreign travelers. The survey measures several metrics, including the ease of learning the language, the quality of the environment and healthcare systems, and how friendly each country’s people are toward expats. The 2024 survey garnered more than 12,500 respondents who represented 175 nationalities and lived in 174 different countries.
The old assumption that moving abroad means heading to France or the UK is well and truly outdated. The most welcoming corners of the world are often the least expected ones. Which of these nine countries surprised you the most? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.
