The ranking of the best and worst countries for expats helps to identify which countries are the most welcoming and comfortable for newcomers, and which ones present certain difficulties for expats to move to. Find out which countries lead the ranking in terms of ease of moving and cultural adaptation, and which ones are much more difficult to settle in

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In recent years, more and more people are thinking about moving abroad. Some are considering a short-term emigration - becoming a digital nomad for a while, while others are seriously determined to change their lives forever. In any case, if you are planning to start a new life in another country, the Expat Insider Report rating from the largest expat community in the world with over 4.5 million members InterNations will definitely interest you.

The company's experts interviewed 12,000 expats representing 177 nationalities and living in 181 countries or territories about various aspects of their lives. They considered everything from administrative obstacles when moving and accessibility of the labor market to work-life balance and the degree of security. Based on the collected data, InterNations selected the best and worst countries in the world for expats.

Which countries are happy to welcome new residents, and which ones should you be prepared for challenges when planning a move to? We will tell you more about the results of the survey in detail in our article.

Planning a trip abroad? Choose a reliable health insurance policy on the Visit World portal.

How was the selection of the best and worst countries in the world for expats made?

The Ease of Moving Index includes three subcategories, each of which has several criteria.

- “Finding friends” evaluates the social life of expats, their support and acquaintances with locals.

- “Culture and friendliness” reflects how comfortable they feel and how quickly they adapt to the culture of the country.

- “Friendliness of locals” measures the general friendliness of the population, in particular the attitude towards foreigners.

Based on the analysis of the data, a list of the best and worst countries for expats to move to in 2025 was compiled.

Best Countries for Expats in 2025

1st Place – Costa Rica: Top of the Ease of Moving Index 2024

Costa Rica takes the top spot in the Ease of Moving Index 2024, leading in two of the three subcategories and securing a top 10 position across all factors.

The vast majority of expats feel welcome here (88% vs. 63% globally) and at home (83% vs. 58%). Adapting to the local culture is also easy. Costa Rica is ranked as the friendliest country, with 90% of expats praising both the general friendliness and openness to foreigners.

This warm environment fosters a strong personal support network and a fulfilling social life. Making friends here is relatively easy. Only 26% of expats in Costa Rica have mostly expat friends, well below the global average of 37%.

2nd place – Mexico: A hub for social connections

Mexico has been in the top three since 2014, and is set to take second place in 2024. Expats find the country the easiest to adapt to culturally and report the highest satisfaction with their social life. Almost three-quarters (73%) rate their social experiences positively, with 35% giving it the highest possible rating (compared to global averages of 52% and 21%). This strong social integration helps Mexico rank first in terms of personal support networks.

3rd place – Philippines: A strong sense of community

Retaining its third place since 2023, the Philippines excels across all factors of the Ease of Settlement Index. The country ranks fourth for friendliness towards locals and boasts a strong sense of community. Despite coming in sixth for personal support networks, this is well above the global average: 41% of expats mostly have local friends (vs. 17% globally), and 69% find it easy to make connections (vs. 38%). Satisfaction with social life is also high at 68% (vs. 52%).

The welcoming atmosphere helps 78% of expats feel at home. Many expats move to the Philippines for love (18%) or retirement (18%), with 58% planning to stay indefinitely, well above the global average of 34%.

4th place – Indonesia

Indonesia ranks 4th and is the best country for expats in 2025 due to its warm hospitality, affordable cost of living and vibrant expat communities. The locals are friendly and welcoming, making it easy to integrate and make connections. The country offers a diverse natural environment, from stunning beaches to lush rainforests, as well as a rich cultural heritage filled with festivals, music and traditional arts. Delicious and affordable food combined with a relaxed lifestyle make everyday life enjoyable and stress-free.

5th place – Brazil

Brazil is a popular country for expats in 2025 due to its vibrant culture, warm weather and affordable cost of living. The country’s diverse landscapes, from stunning beaches to the Amazon rainforest, offer plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventures. Expats are welcomed by friendly locals and can easily immerse themselves in Brazilian culture, enjoying festivals, music and a laid-back lifestyle. The cost of living in Brazil is significantly lower than in many Western countries, allowing expats to live comfortably on a shoestring.

6th place – Thailand

Thailand is the best country for expats in 2025, thanks to its welcoming locals, low cost of living and high quality of life. With a mix of beautiful beaches, bustling cities like Bangkok and quiet rural areas, Thailand offers a lifestyle to suit every taste. Expats can enjoy affordable housing, delicious and inexpensive food and a vibrant culture that makes it easy to move and settle in. The warm tropical climate and stunning natural landscapes are additional benefits that make living in Thailand enjoyable all year round.

7th place – Panama

Panama is the best country for expats in 2025 due to its exceptional quality of life, stable economy and friendly environment for foreigners. The cost of living is relatively low, especially compared to North America and Europe, and expats can enjoy modern infrastructure, world-class healthcare and a tropical climate. Panama’s diverse landscapes, including stunning beaches, mountains and rainforests, make for a great place to work and relax. The country is known for its friendly locals, and its ease of adjustment makes it attractive to newcomers.

8th place – Colombia

Colombia is the best country for expats in 2025 due to its vibrant culture, affordable housing and welcoming atmosphere. The cost of living is lower than in many Western countries, allowing expats to enjoy a high standard of living without spending a fortune. With a diverse landscape ranging from lush mountains to beautiful beaches, Colombia offers a mix of urban excitement in cities like Bogotá and Medellín, as well as a laid-back rural lifestyle. The country’s rich cultural heritage, warm locals, and lively festivals make it easy for expats to feel at home.

9th place – Kenya

Kenya is the best country for expats in 2025, thanks to its vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and growing economy. The cost of living is relatively affordable, especially outside of the big cities, allowing expats to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle. Kenya offers a mix of modern cities like Nairobi and beautiful nature, including safaris, beaches, and mountains, making it an ideal destination for adventure seekers. The friendly locals and strong sense of community make it easy for expats to feel at home.

10th place – Greece

Greece is the best country for expats in 2025 thanks to its breathtaking scenery, rich history and relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle. The cost of living is relatively affordable compared to other Western European countries, especially in smaller cities and on the islands. The friendly locals and welcoming atmosphere of Greece also make it easy for newcomers to integrate into the community.

Worst Countries for Expats in 2025

In addition to the best countries to move to, the ranking also selected the worst:

53rd place - Kuwait: the most difficult country for expats

For the second year in a row, Kuwait ranks last (53rd) in the Ease of Settlement Index, consistently falling into the bottom ten since 2014.

Only 26% of expats feel comfortable here, while almost half (49%) do not feel at home. Getting used to the local culture is difficult. Kuwait also ranks last in friendliness towards locals, with only 22% satisfied with their social life.

Despite the fact that 57% of expats have lived there for more than five years, most people mainly communicate with other expats.

52nd place – Norway: Struggling with social integration

Norway ranks 52nd in the ranking and has the lowest ranking on the Ease of Settlement Index. Language barriers and fear of isolation were common problems before moving.

Once in Norway, less than half of expats feel at home, and 40% find the locals unfriendly. The country ranks 52nd for cultural integration.

51st place – Germany: Difficult to settle in

Germany, ranked 51st, has consistently been in the bottom ten since 2017. Expats find it difficult to feel at home in the country. Cultural integration and perceived unfriendliness add to the problems for foreigners.

65% of expats find it difficult to make friends (compared to 41% worldwide), reinforcing Germany’s position as one of the least welcoming countries.

The worst countries for expats were also Hungary, Denmark, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Austria and Finland.

Overall, the ranking of the best and worst countries for expats in 2025 provides a clear idea of ​​where foreigners can count on easy adaptation and a comfortable life, and where they should be prepared for difficulties associated with social integration and cultural barriers. Regardless of where you decide to move, it is important to take these factors into account for a comfortable and successful start to a new stage of life.

Order a consultation with a migration lawyer to find out the current rules for the procedure for moving and employment in different countries of the world in 2025.

Reminder! The EU Blue Card is a residence and work permit for highly qualified specialists in the countries of the European Union. In 2025, the EU announced significant changes to the EU Blue Card program, aimed at simplifying the employment and life of highly qualified specialists from around the world. We have already told you what benefits the card provides, which countries issue it, the requirements that must be met to obtain a permit, as well as the package of documents to obtain a permit.

Products from Visit World for a comfortable trip:

Travel guide for 200 countries;

Legal advice from a local specialist on visa and migration issues;

Travel insurance around the world (please select the country of interest and citizenship to receive services);

Medical insurance all over the world.

We monitor the accuracy and relevance of our information, so if you notice any errors or inconsistencies, please contact our hotline.