Some moves abroad are simply easier than others. These are the most straightforward countries to move to, where a clear visa route and widely-spoken English smooth the path.
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#1 New Zealand
Strongest on English-friendliness and expat community. Weaker on cost of living and property affordability.
- Cost of living: High
- Property: Very expensive
- Healthcare: Strong
- Safety: Safe
- Tax: Worldwide; no general capital-gains tax
- Visa: Skilled, or NZ$750k+ retirement visa
- Climate: Mild (~15°C)
- English: Native / official
- Expat community: Very large
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#2 Malta
Strongest on English-friendliness and expat community. Weaker on tax friendliness and cost of living.
- Cost of living: Moderate
- Property: Affordable
- Healthcare: Strong
- Safety: Very safe
- Tax: Remittance basis; 15% flat regimes
- Visa: Residence/retirement programmes
- Climate: Warm (~19°C)
- English: Native / official
- Expat community: Very large
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#3 Antigua and Barbuda
Strongest on English-friendliness and tax friendliness. Weaker on healthcare and safety.
- Cost of living: Moderate
- Property: Affordable
- Healthcare: Moderate
- Safety: Some concerns
- Tax: No personal income tax at all
- Visa: Citizenship by investment or nomad visa, English
- Climate: Warm (~27°C)
- English: Native / official
- Expat community: Very large
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#4 Jamaica
Strongest on English-friendliness and residency ease. Weaker on healthcare and safety.
- Cost of living: Moderate
- Property: Moderate
- Healthcare: Limited
- Safety: Higher risk
- Tax: Worldwide, 30% top rate, no CGT
- Visa: Retiree PR ~$2,000/mo, 3yr PR, English, dual
- Climate: Warm (~27°C)
- English: Native / official
- Expat community: Minimal
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#5 Ireland
Strongest on English-friendliness and healthcare. Weaker on cost of living and property affordability.
- Cost of living: High
- Property: Very expensive
- Healthcare: Excellent
- Safety: Safe
- Tax: Remittance basis for non-doms
- Visa: Stamp 0 for the wealthy (~€50k/yr)
- Climate: Cool (~10°C)
- English: Native / official
- Expat community: Very large
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#6 Barbados
Strongest on English-friendliness and expat community. Weaker on safety and cost of living.
- Cost of living: Very high
- Property: Moderate
- Healthcare: Moderate
- Safety: Some concerns
- Tax: Remittance for non-doms, 28.5% top rate
- Visa: Welcome Stamp or SERP, 5yr PR, English, dual
- Climate: Warm (~27°C)
- English: Native / official
- Expat community: Established
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#7 Belize
Strongest on English-friendliness and property affordability. Weaker on healthcare and safety.
- Cost of living: Low
- Property: Very affordable
- Healthcare: Limited
- Safety: Higher risk
- Tax: Territorial, flat 25%, QRP retirees exempt
- Visa: QRP retiree USD 2,000/mo, fast PR, English
- Climate: Warm (~27°C)
- English: Native / official
- Expat community: Established
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#8 Philippines
Strongest on cost of living and English-friendliness. Weaker on healthcare and expat community.
- Cost of living: Very low
- Property: Very affordable
- Healthcare: Limited
- Safety: Moderate
- Tax: Territorial for foreigners
- Visa: SRRV retiree visa ($15k+ deposit)
- Climate: Warm (~28°C)
- English: Native / official
- Expat community: Minimal
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#9 Canada
Strongest on English-friendliness and expat community. Weaker on property affordability and cost of living.
- Cost of living: High
- Property: Expensive
- Healthcare: Strong
- Safety: Moderate
- Tax: Worldwide income; no wealth tax
- Visa: Express Entry (direct PR); no retiree visa
- Climate: Cool (~10°C)
- English: Native / official
- Expat community: Very large
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#10 United Kingdom
Strongest on English-friendliness and expat community. Weaker on cost of living and property affordability.
- Cost of living: High
- Property: Very expensive
- Healthcare: Strong
- Safety: Safe
- Tax: Worldwide; 4-yr tax break for new arrivals
- Visa: Skilled Worker; no retiree route
- Climate: Cool (~11°C)
- English: Native / official
- Expat community: Established
Read the full United Kingdom guide · Compare expat health insurance
How these rankings are calculated
Each destination is scored from 0 to 100 on nine factors (cost of living, property, healthcare, safety, tax, visa ease, climate, English-friendliness and expat community), then weighted to the preferences above and ranked. The healthcare score reflects the public system (spending and doctors per head); private care, which many expats use, can differ, and first-hand expat ratings are coming from our own survey. Cost and property are world-comparable price levels. Figures are general information, not personal financial, tax or immigration advice.
Data sources: Expat Focus built dataset · Expat Focus climate reference · Expat Focus reference · World Bank ICP / PPP price level · World Bank ICP 2021 housing Price Level Index · World Bank health expenditure per capita + physicians per 1,000 · World Bank intentional homicide rate · World Bank international migrant stock. See our data and licences page.