Discover the Top Destinations for Living Abroad in 2025
If you’ve ever dreamed of packing your bags and starting a new chapter abroad, 2025 might be the perfect year to take the plunge. The world of expatriates is rapidly changing, with the rise of remote work, enticing tax breaks, and a growing wave of international mobility reshaping how people live and work abroad.
Countries now offer more opportunities than ever to those seeking a fresh start in an exciting new destination. Whether you’re seeking better job prospects, an upgraded lifestyle, or a tax-free income, certain countries stand out as the go-to destinations for expats looking to make the move.
To help inspire your next adventure, we’ve curated a list of the best countries to live in as an expat in 2025 based on global rankings and quality-of-life indexes. So, if you’re ready to embark on an exciting new journey abroad, here’s your guide to the best destinations.
Switzerland
Switzerland remains one of the top countries to live in as an expat and consistently secures top spots across global rankings.
It claims the number one position in the Mercer Quality of Living Survey 2024 and ranks highly in the OECD Better Life Index for work-life balance, income, and housing. The country also holds the top spot in the HSBC Expat Explorer Survey for job prospects and career satisfaction.
Switzerland’s high salaries, abundant job opportunities, and financial stability make it particularly attractive to professionals seeking to advance their careers. Its competitive tax rates, compared to other European nations, also offer an appealing environment for those looking to secure their financial future.
Beyond career opportunities, Switzerland is famous for its stunning landscapes, world-class healthcare, and safe, stable environment. These qualities make it an ideal destination for individuals and families seeking a high standard of living and a fulfilling life abroad.
Though Switzerland remains the second most expensive country in the world in terms of cost of living, many expats find it well worth the investment. The unmatched quality of life, excellent services, and overall stability offered by the country create a lifestyle that seamlessly blends work, nature, and well-being for those who can afford it.
Canada
Canada consistently ranks as one of the top destinations for expats, offering a high quality of life, excellent healthcare, and a robust social safety net. It ranks 5th in the Mercer Quality of Living Survey 2024, which reflects its reputation for safety, healthcare, and overall well-being.
Canada also shines in the OECD Better Life Index, where it is recognized as a top performer for education, income, and life satisfaction. Expats find the country’s work-life balance especially attractive, with Canada ranking number one worldwide for work-life balance in the InterNations Expat Insider 2024 survey.
In addition, the HSBC Expat Explorer Survey highlights Canada’s job satisfaction, earning potential, and overall quality of life as key reasons why expats choose to live there.
Whether you’re living in the bustling tech hubs of Vancouver or Toronto or enjoying a quieter life in one of Canada’s smaller cities, the country’s multiculturalism and welcoming environment make it a top choice for expats seeking both professional success and personal fulfillment.
Sweden
Sweden is consistently ranked as one of the top destinations for expats, thanks to its focus on sustainability, equality, and quality of life. The country offers excellent healthcare and a robust education system, making it particularly attractive to families.
Sweden is also known for its emphasis on work-life balance, which contributes to its high levels of life satisfaction. It ranks 23rd in the Mercer Quality of Living Survey 2024 and consistently performs well in the OECD Better Life Index for life satisfaction and low crime rates.
Additionally, Sweden ranks 8th in the InterNations Expat Insider 2024 for overall satisfaction, with the HSBC Expat Explorer Survey highlighting its social benefits and career opportunities.
While some may worry about Sweden’s long winters, the country truly shines during the summer months, when its vibrant culture comes alive. Swedes embrace the spring and summer with great enthusiasm, and in winter, Sweden offers a wealth of skiing and other winter sports.
Picturesque cities like Stockholm, often called the “Northern Venice,” are laced with beautiful waterways and surrounded by stunning lakes and fjords, making Sweden a dream destination for expats.
Austria
Austria is celebrated for its breathtaking alpine landscapes and rich cultural heritage, but it’s also emerging as a top destination for expats.
This central European gem stands out for its excellent work-life balance and overall well-being. Vienna, in particular, ranks as the second-best city in the world to live in, according to the 2024 Mercer Quality of Living survey.
The capital is renowned for its excellent healthcare, safety, infrastructure, and cultural offerings, making it a top choice for those seeking both convenience and a high standard of living.
Although Austria doesn’t have a specific digital nomad visa, its reliable internet and growing number of co-working spaces make it an ideal choice for remote workers and digital nomads, especially in vibrant cities like Vienna.
With a strong economy, a top-notch education system, and a focus on safety and security, Austria is an increasingly attractive destination for families, while its natural beauty and exceptional quality of life make it appealing to professionals and remote workers alike.
Bahrain
While many expats flock to the UAE or Qatar, Bahrain is emerging as a hidden gem in the Gulf. The country’s tax-free income is a major draw for professionals seeking to maximize their earnings, and the expat community, which now outnumbers locals, creates a welcoming atmosphere.
Bahrain offers modern healthcare, education, and an increasing number of international schools, making it an excellent choice for families. It offers a high standard of living, ranking 36th globally and second among Arab countries in the CEOWORLD Quality of Life Index.
The kingdom seamlessly blends rich Arabian culture with modern amenities, including glorious beaches, historical sites, and luxury shopping malls, offering expats the best of both worlds.
Since launching its Virtual Work Visa in 2021, Bahrain has also become a hotspot for digital nomads. This visa allows remote workers to live and work in the kingdom for up to a year, with an option to extend.
With its attractive quality of life, a welcoming expat community, and growing support for remote work, Bahrain is quickly becoming a top choice for both expats and digital nomads.
Costa Rica
Although Costa Rica has long been popular among expats for its affordable cost of living, stunning landscapes, and strong healthcare system, its appeal has surged since introducing the Digital Nomad Visa in 2021.
This program allows remote workers to live and work in Costa Rica for up to two years, boosting the country’s reputation as a top destination for digital nomads.
Beyond the visa, Costa Rica excels in making foreigners feel at home. According to the 2024 InterNations Expat Insider Survey, it ranks 1st for ‘Ease of Settling In,’ with 88% of expats reporting feeling welcome.
Costa Rica’s healthcare system, which remains one of the best in Latin America, combined with its welcoming culture, has contributed to a high expat retention rate, with over 50,000 expats currently calling the country home.
The country’s diverse natural beauty and laid-back ‘Pura Vida’ lifestyle make it an ideal destination for those seeking work opportunities alongside a relaxed way of life.
Indonesia
Saudi Arabia
While the UAE and Qatar are often the go-to expat destinations in the Gulf, Saudi Arabia is becoming an increasingly attractive choice for foreigners.
The kingdom ranked 13th globally for expat destinations in the 2024 Expat Insider Survey, significantly improving from its 28th position in 2023. It also climbed in Mercer’s Quality of Life Index, moving from 45th place in 2023 to 29th place in 2024. This reflects the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to improve living conditions for expats.
One of Saudi Arabia’s biggest draws is the absence of personal income tax, which makes it attractive for high-paying jobs, especially in the oil, engineering, healthcare, and IT sectors. Additionally, the kingdom’s Vision 2030 reforms are creating new opportunities in tourism, business, and entertainment.
Major cities like Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam offer world-class healthcare, modern amenities, and a growing expat community, while low crime rates and a secure environment further enhance its appeal.
While cultural differences remain, Saudi Arabia is evolving to better accommodate expats. Recent changes, including easing foreign business ownership, expanding women’s rights, and opening new entertainment venues like cinemas and concerts, are helping to create a more dynamic and appealing destination for foreigners.
Taiwan
Hong Kong and Singapore are used to sharing the spotlight when it comes to the most popular expat destinations, but one Asian country always flies under the radar – Taiwan.
This verdant island nation is gaining recognition thanks to its low cost of living, excellent family life, and dynamic career opportunities. In fact, HSBC once called it “the expat world’s best-kept secret,” and it’s easy to see why.
Taiwan seamlessly blends tropical forests, mountainous landscapes, and serene beaches, offering an ideal balance of work and leisure. Its vibrant cities are full of energy yet retain a distinct local charm, allowing expats to immerse themselves in authentic Taiwanese culture.
Add to this a thriving culinary scene, modern infrastructure, and a welcoming society, and it’s no surprise that Taiwan is becoming an increasingly popular destination for expats and remote professionals.
The country’s growing economy provides ample job prospects, especially in the tech and innovation sectors. At the same time, its reliable internet and co-working spaces cater to the needs of digital nomads and remote workers.
With its high quality of life, affordable living, and a strong sense of community, Taiwan is emerging as a top choice for expats seeking both professional growth and an enriching lifestyle.