The Best Countries to Live In: Nomad Capitalist's Top 10 Ranking

When choosing a country to move to, it’s important to consider taxes, safety, climate, infrastructure quality, and opportunities for legal residency. Nomad Capitalist evaluated 63 destinations based on these and other factors in the Nomad Lifestyle Index.

Which countries made it into the top ten, what criteria were used to compare them, and what are the strengths and weaknesses of the top-ranked countries—we’ll cover all of this in the article below.

Planning to move to one of the countries on the list?

An immigration lawyer from the Visit World portal can help you understand the grounds for legal residency and the requirements of your chosen country.

Top 10 Countries to Live In According to the Nomad Lifestyle Index

Monaco was named the best country to live in according to the Nomad Lifestyle Index, with an overall score of 73.89 points. Andorra took second place (73.68), and the United Arab Emirates came in third (73.15). The difference between the top three was only 0.74 points. Most of the spots in the top ten were taken by European countries, while Singapore, the Cayman Islands, and New Zealand also made the list.

1. Monaco — 73.89.
2. Andorra — 73.68.
3. United Arab Emirates — 73.15.
4. Malta — 72.11.
5. Portugal — 70.09.
6. Cyprus — 68.42.
7. Singapore — 67.12.
8. Cayman Islands — 66.50.
9. New Zealand — 66.43.
10. Switzerland — 65.44.

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How was the ranking of the best countries to move to compiled?

The ranking was prepared by Nomad Capitalist. Analysts evaluated 63 destinations based on five criteria, each of which was scored on a 100-point scale. Based on these scores, an overall score was calculated for each country, which determined its ranking. The following criteria were taken into account:

• nature and climate;
• taxation;
• housing and affordability;
• safety and freedom;
• quality of life and infrastructure.

Within these criteria, the analysis considered air quality, the risk of extreme weather events, pathways to legal residency and citizenship, the Global Peace Index, life expectancy, cost of living, broadband internet speeds, and other indicators.

Where to Move in 2026 and 8 Countries for Expats — find out more at the link.

Why Did Monaco and Andorra Top the Ranking?

Monaco took first place thanks to its perfect score in the “quality of life and infrastructure” category: the principality was the only country in the ranking to receive 100 points in this category.

Monaco also scored highly in safety and freedom. Andorra trailed the leader by 0.21 points but outperformed all other countries in the “safety and freedom” category.

In terms of natural conditions, Andorra ranked fourth, and the air there is the cleanest among all European countries in the index. The country did not take first place due to its complex naturalization process: to obtain citizenship, one must live in Andorra for 20 years and pass an exam in language and history.

What is a Golden Visa and why does a foreigner need it—we explain here.

Malta, Portugal, and Cyprus: Benefits for Relocation

Malta, Portugal, and Cyprus ranked fourth, fifth, and sixth, respectively. Malta received high marks for its powerful passport, the possibility of naturalization after five years, and its natural environment. Portugal scored highly in safety and freedom, living conditions and accessibility, as well as its tax system. Cyprus ranked second in the “living conditions and accessibility” category: the country has a strong passport, and naturalization is possible after seven years.

Switzerland rounds out the top ten with a score of 65.44. The country received high marks in the “safety and freedom” category.

The world’s best cities to live and work in 2026 — are listed in this article.

Drawbacks of Moving to Malta, Cyprus, and Portugal

Countries at the top of the ranking have metrics that lowered their overall score. Malta lost points for its tax system, as well as for quality of life and infrastructure. Portugal was let down by its natural conditions: the country is affected by extreme weather events due to climate change. Cyprus received lower scores for quality of life and infrastructure, as well as for air quality.

Important! The ranking helps compare countries based on general indicators; however, the decision to relocate requires an analysis of the specific requirements of each country. An immigration lawyer from the Visit World portal can advise you on the grounds for relocation, obtaining a residence permit, and the conditions for naturalization in your chosen country.

Schedule a consultation on the Visit World website to plan your move while taking all requirements into account!

Reminder! In a previous article, we discussed where a child’s birth grants parents the right to residency.

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