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The decision to move to another country goes beyond the professional: it means choosing an environment where you build daily life, relationships and wellbeing. This ranking integrates data from international indices —quality of life, safety, health system, digital infrastructure and migration ease— to offer a balanced view of the most attractive destinations for executives and professionals in 2026.
Ranking methodology
Each country is evaluated across six dimensions scored 1 to 10, weighted by their relevance for an expat professional:
| Dimension | Weight | Sources consulted |
|---|---|---|
| Public safety | 20% | Global Peace Index (IEP 2025), safety perception |
| Health system | 20% | Legatum Prosperity Index, WHO, CEOWORLD Health Care Index |
| Digital infrastructure | 15% | Speedtest Global Index, 5G/fiber coverage |
| Cost of living vs. income | 15% | Numbeo Cost of Living Index, local professional salaries |
| Migration ease | 15% | Professional visa programs, residence by investment, processing times |
| Climate and natural environment | 15% | World Climate Data, pollution levels (IQAir) |
What are the 10 best countries to live in?
1. Portugal — 9.2/10
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Safety | 9.5 |
| Healthcare | 9.0 |
| Digital infrastructure | 8.5 |
| Cost of living vs. income | 9.0 |
| Migration ease | 9.5 |
| Climate and environment | 9.5 |
Portugal leads the ranking for the third consecutive year. With 7th place in the Global Peace Index 2025, a health system combining quality public and private coverage, and a fiber-optic network reaching 93% of households, it is the most balanced destination for professionals.
Its migration ecosystem is exceptional: D7 visa for passive income (€3,040/month), digital nomad visa (€3,280/month), reformed Golden Visa (investment funds from €500,000) and a favorable tax regime (IFICI) with a 20% flat rate on foreign-source income for 10 years.
The cost of living in Lisbon is roughly 40% lower than in Madrid or Barcelona, and the international professional community is vibrant and growing.
2. Spain — 8.9/10
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Safety | 9.0 |
| Healthcare | 9.5 |
| Digital infrastructure | 9.0 |
| Cost of living vs. income | 8.5 |
| Migration ease | 8.5 |
| Climate and environment | 9.5 |
Spain offers the best ratio between quality of life and cultural heritage in Europe. Its public health system is the world’s 8th best according to the WHO, and cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Malaga combine first-rate infrastructure with a cost of living below other European capitals.
The Beckham Law (special expat regime) allows you to be taxed at 24% as a non-resident for 6 years. The international remote work visa (€2,646/month) and the non-lucrative visa (€28,800/year in a bank account) are accessible. The €500,000 real estate Golden Visa was discontinued in April 2025, but other investment routes (€1M in Spanish companies, €2M in State bonds) remain active.
3. Netherlands — 8.7/10
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Safety | 9.0 |
| Healthcare | 9.0 |
| Digital infrastructure | 9.5 |
| Cost of living vs. income | 7.5 |
| Migration ease | 8.5 |
| Climate and environment | 8.0 |
Europe’s leading digital infrastructure (the continent’s fastest internet, 98% of households with high-speed broadband), an English-speaking business ecosystem and an attractive tax environment for expats (30% ruling — a 30% tax exemption on income for 5 years for qualified workers) consolidate the Netherlands as a top-tier European professional hub.
Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Eindhoven concentrate European headquarters of tech and financial multinationals. The startup visa and the high demand for qualified professionals facilitate entry. The cost of living is high (especially housing in Amsterdam), partially offset by high salaries and the 30% tax ruling.
4. Switzerland — 8.5/10
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Safety | 9.5 |
| Healthcare | 9.5 |
| Digital infrastructure | 9.0 |
| Cost of living vs. income | 6.5 |
| Migration ease | 7.5 |
| Climate and environment | 9.5 |
Switzerland offers Europe’s highest standard of living, with exceptional safety (10th in the GPI), a top-quality hybrid health system and net salaries among the highest in the world. Zurich, Geneva and Zug are global financial and tech centers.
The main obstacle is migration difficulty for non-EU/EFTA nationals: work visas are subject to annual quotas (8,500 B permits and 4,500 L permits in 2026) and require proving that no Swiss/EU candidate can take the position. For entrepreneurs, cantons offer specific programs with varying requirements.
The cost of living is the highest in the ranking: a family of three in Zurich needs approximately CHF 8,000/month (~€8,500).
5. New Zealand — 8.4/10
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Safety | 9.5 |
| Healthcare | 8.5 |
| Digital infrastructure | 8.0 |
| Cost of living vs. income | 7.5 |
| Migration ease | 8.5 |
| Climate and environment | 9.5 |
New Zealand ranks 4th in the Global Peace Index 2025. Its points-based system for skilled residence (Skilled Migrant Category) favors experienced professionals, and the new Active Investor Plus (NZ$5 million) attracts investors —with 42% of applicants coming from the US in 2025.
The quality of life is exceptional: clean cities, permanent access to nature, an inclusive English-speaking culture. Geographic distance from Europe and the Americas is its main logistical drawback.
6. Canada — 8.3/10
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Safety | 9.0 |
| Healthcare | 9.5 |
| Digital infrastructure | 8.5 |
| Cost of living vs. income | 7.0 |
| Migration ease | 8.5 |
| Climate and environment | 7.0 |
Canada maintains one of the world’s most transparent and accessible economic immigration systems. Express Entry (fast track for skilled workers) processes applications in 6 months or less. Cities like Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal lead in diversity, safety and public services.
The universal public health system is free at the point of use. The cost of living is high in major urban centers (especially housing in Toronto and Vancouver). The extreme winter climate deters some, but institutional quality and functional multiculturalism more than make up for it.
7. Australia — 8.2/10
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Safety | 9.0 |
| Healthcare | 9.0 |
| Digital infrastructure | 8.5 |
| Cost of living vs. income | 7.5 |
| Migration ease | 7.5 |
| Climate and environment | 9.0 |
Australia combines a robust labor market with high quality of life. The points-based system for skilled work visas (Subclass 482, 186) is competitive but well structured. Sydney and Melbourne consistently rank in the world’s top 10 most livable cities.
The cost of living in Sydney is comparable to London or New York. Internal distances and remoteness from the northern hemisphere are significant logistical considerations.
8. United Arab Emirates (Dubai / Abu Dhabi) — 8.1/10
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Safety | 9.5 |
| Healthcare | 8.0 |
| Digital infrastructure | 9.5 |
| Cost of living vs. income | 8.0 |
| Migration ease | 8.0 |
| Climate and environment | 6.5 |
The UAE offers a unique proposition: zero personal income tax, exceptional safety (one of the lowest crime rates in the world) and cutting-edge digital and physical infrastructure.
The 10-year Golden Visa (AED 2M investment, ~€465,000, in property or business) and the visa for highly qualified professionals (doctors, scientists, executives) facilitate long-term residence. Dubai concentrates global financial, tech and logistics hubs.
The drawbacks: extreme summer heat (May-September), high cost of living in premium areas and no direct path to citizenship for most residents.
9. Costa Rica — 7.9/10
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Safety | 8.0 |
| Healthcare | 8.5 |
| Digital infrastructure | 7.5 |
| Cost of living vs. income | 8.5 |
| Migration ease | 9.0 |
| Climate and environment | 9.5 |
Costa Rica is Latin America’s most accessible destination for remote professionals. The digital nomad visa (€3,000/month for individuals, €4,000 for families) offers a 1-year stay extendable to 2, with tax exemption on foreign-source income.
The country stands out for political stability (Latin America’s longest-standing democracy, without an army since 1949), exceptional biodiversity (5% of the world’s biodiversity on 0.03% of the Earth’s land surface) and an established international community in the Central Valley. The health system (Caja) offers universal coverage to residents.
10. Singapore — 7.8/10
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Safety | 9.5 |
| Healthcare | 9.0 |
| Digital infrastructure | 9.5 |
| Cost of living vs. income | 6.0 |
| Migration ease | 6.5 |
| Climate and environment | 7.0 |
Singapore is Asia-Pacific’s financial and tech hub. Absolute safety, first-class healthcare, world-leading digital infrastructure (the planet’s fastest internet according to the Speedtest Global Index), and a favorable tax environment (24% top income tax rate).
The main migration route is the Employment Pass (SG$5,000/month minimum salary, ~€3,200), complemented by the Tech.Pass for tech leaders and the Global Investor Program (SG$10M investment, ~€6.4M, in a new or existing business). The cost of living is extremely high: Singapore is consistently the world’s most expensive city according to the Economist Intelligence Unit.
Trends for 2026
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Growth of digital nomad visas: More than 60 countries already offer residence programs for remote workers. Portugal, Spain, Greece and Dubai lead adoption among European and North American professionals.
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Tax competition between jurisdictions: Regimes like Portugal’s IFICI (20% flat), the Dutch 30% ruling (30% income exemption), Spain’s expat regime (Beckham Law), Switzerland’s lump-sum taxation, Greece’s Non-Dom regime (€100,000 annual flat on global income) and Dubai’s zero rate shape a competitive market of tax jurisdictions for mobile professionals.
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Golden Visas under scrutiny: The EU pushes for more transparency in residence-by-investment programs. Spain discontinued the real estate Golden Visa (April 2025), Portugal eliminated the real estate route (2023) keeping investment funds (€500,000), and Greece raised its real estate threshold to €800,000 (September 2024). The trend is towards productive investments (funds, companies, R&D) instead of real estate.
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Growth of high-net-worth digital nomadism: The digital nomad profile is evolving from tech backpacker to executive/professional with annual income above €150,000, seeking tax optimization and quality of life more than low cost.
Related resources
- Explore our country residence guides for detailed migration routes.
- Check the tourist destinations to evaluate lifestyle in each location.
- Discover travel itineraries designed for every traveler profile.
Data updated as of June 2026. Sources: Global Peace Index (Institute for Economics & Peace, 2025), Legatum Prosperity Index (2025), Numbeo Cost of Living Index, Speedtest Global Index, CEOWORLD Health Care Index, IQAir World Air Quality Report.