Where to move: The best countries for expats

In 2023, almost 1.3 million Germans and people living in Germany emigrated from the country. Often to neighboring countries such as Switzerland and Austria, but also outside Europe.

In this article, I would like to present the countries where international emigrants feel comfortable and welcome. Because that is one of the most important aspects. I have divided this article by continent and would like to list the countries for each continent where expats can feel at home, based on the Expat Insider 2024 study, in which 12,500 expats from 175 nations in 174 countries and territories took part.

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In which countries are expats welcome?

This question is very individual, because everyone feels comfortable and welcome in different circumstances. For some, the quality of life and the cost of living play a role, for others the climate, the career opportunities or perhaps even the tax exemption in certain countries.

What all emigrants have in common, however, is the desire to be quickly welcomed by the locals and to make friends. Social contacts, new friends and nice “locals” – this often seems like a major hurdle and task. But in which countries is it easier to make social connections than in others?

The expat community InterNations 2024 has once again conducted its annual survey on this topic. We will be returning to the results in this article. Around 12,500 expats from 175 different nations who have emigrated to 174 different countries took part in the survey. Participants had to answer questions on topics such as personal finances, working abroad, quality of life and settling in. 53 countries made it into this year’s ranking.

Tip: Would you like to find out general facts and figures about emigrating from Germany, the most popular destination countries and the most common reasons? Then I recommend the following blog article: Reasons why people leave Germany

The most welcoming countries in Europe

Many Germans like to move to one of the neighboring countries. Switzerland and Austria are the most popular destination countries for Germans in 2023. But are these countries also among the most emigrant-friendly within the EU? Which other European countries score well?

34th place: How welcome emigrants feel in Switzerland

Expats who have started a new life in Switzerland realize that it takes more than a high quality of life to really feel at home abroad. After ranking 23rd in 2023, Switzerland slipped into the bottom half of the Expat Insider Rankings this year and is now ranked 34th out of 53 in 2024.

Expats continue to value the country for its high quality of life, but find it difficult to settle in and socialize. According to the ranking, it is not easy to integrate in Switzerland, with less than half of respondents finding the Swiss friendly towards foreigners and more than two-thirds of expats finding it difficult to make local friends.

Three in five expats (60%) are unhappy with the general cost of living in Switzerland, compared to 39% of respondents worldwide. Fortunately, this is somewhat offset by the high income: 58% of respondents say they have a gross annual income of at least USD 100,000 (compared to 20% globally). Accordingly, 57% are satisfied with their financial situation. In 2021, France was the third most popular destination country within Europe and France was in fourth place. The communities are constantly growing.

24th place: Austria performs better than Switzerland

According to the Expat Insider 2024, Austria offers an exceptional quality of life and security, but this is limited by close social circles and restricted leisure opportunities.

With an excellent 2nd place in the “quality of life” category, Austria is the destination for expats seeking a high standard of living. The country has regularly ranked in the top 10 of this index since 2014, scoring highly in four of the five sub-categories:

• Travel & Transport (2nd place)
• Environment & Climate (3rd place)
• Healthcare (9th place)
• Safety (10th place)

When it comes to leisure activities, however, Austria leaves a lot to be desired. International expats are not entirely satisfied with the cultural offerings, nightlife and culinary diversity, as well as the food options. According to the survey, it is also difficult to settle in and make friends.

Austria complements its high standard of living with good financial circumstances. The majority of expats (82%) state that their disposable household income is sufficient for a comfortable life and almost two thirds are generally satisfied with their financial situation

4th place: Spain is the most popular country in Europe

Spain impresses with its vibrant culture, historic cities such as Barcelona and Madrid and breathtaking coastal regions. Expats appreciate the pleasant climate, the Mediterranean cuisine and the relaxed lifestyle. The country also offers a wide range of leisure activities, a good infrastructure and a warm and hospitable population.

It is therefore no wonder that Spain has taken first place in the quality of life category for the third time in a row. 84% of expats say they are happy in Spain (compared to 68% worldwide).

The country is a good choice for anyone looking to emigrate or spend extended periods abroad, as the climate, healthcare and cost of living ensure that expats are happy despite minor challenges.

Spain ranks 11th in the “settling in” category and, according to expatriates, offers an accommodating environment for a smooth expatriation. More than three quarters of respondents feel at home and welcome in Spain. They agree that it is easy to make friends locally and to get used to the local culture. Here you can find the expat community in Spain from InterNations.

Other European countries in comparison

In addition to Spain, Austria and Switzerland, other countries have made it into the Expat Insider Ranking 2024. Germany is also included this year, but only in 50th place out of 53. We present other European countries below:

• #15 – Portugal: expats in Portugal are impressed by the quality of life, but are faced with less good job prospects. In 15th place, Portugal has steadily deteriorated from 4th and 10th place in 2022 and 2023 respectively.
• #38 – France: Despite excellent healthcare and travel opportunities, France presents emigrants with a number of challenges in the areas of career, social life and bureaucracy.
• # 47 – Italy: Expats love the culture and nature, but face major challenges when it comes to navigating the Italian bureaucracy. Emigrants encounter particular difficulties in the “working abroad” category, especially with regard to career prospects.
• #51 – Finland: The country has slipped from 16th place in 2023 to one of the last places – digital skills cannot compensate for the professional, financial and social hurdles. However, the ranking fluctuates greatly from year to year.

Tip: Are you planning to emigrate with your children? In this blog article, we have answered all your questions about relocating from Germany with kids.

Expat-friendly countries in North America

North America, with the USA and Canada, is a popular destination for German emigrants. The second largest country in terms of area – Canada – offers endless expanses, forests and beautiful untouched nature. In addition to the extraordinary landscape, Canada also offers interesting metropolitan areas with an international population and a stable economy.

Canada is also one of the countries with the highest quality of life and attracts those looking for a mix of adventure and security. In the well-known cities of Toronto, Vancouver and Ottawa, there is a low unemployment rate and many job opportunities.

The USA is also a popular country to move to. Many Germans appreciate the USA because of the job opportunities and the realization of their personal American dream. The United States is characterized by immigrants from different countries. Today, Native Americans make up less than 1% of the total US population.

35th place: The USA is particularly popular with German emigrants

In the statistics of the most popular destination countries for German emigrants, the USA is in third place (Destatis). The United States has been one of the most popular destination countries for German emigrants for more than 20 years. Although the country is very popular with Germans and almost 9,200 of them emigrated to America in 2023, it is not as popular in international comparison.

International expats note that the American dream comes at a high cost, as housing, healthcare and transportation in the US are expensive. Although the country scores highly in the ‘working abroad’ category, particularly in terms of the local job market and career prospects, personal finances remain a challenge, with more than half of expats unhappy with the overall cost of living.

Connect with international expats in the US through the InterNations expat community.

Moving to Canada – an alternative to the USA

In the period from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023, almost 470,000 people emigrated to Canada (Statista). This officially included 2,137 Germans in 2023 (auswandern-info). The number of international immigrants is at its highest level in more than 20 years.

There are several reasons why German emigrants feel welcome in Canada. For one, Canada is a classic country of immigration, with 21.5 percent of the population being foreign-born. German Canadians are now the third largest population group in Canada, with many families having lived there for several generations and no longer speaking German.
The two official languages, French and English, also attract many people from Great Britain/Ireland and France to the country.

However, Canada did not make it into the InterNations ranking in 2024. However, in the 2023 Expat Insider study, Canada ranked 27th out of 53, with expats reporting that they love their working life and highlighting the great work culture and job market.

However, they also described the cost of living as making life in Canada difficult. While the urban environment is very popular, expats often find medical care inaccessible. Fortunately, they report that dealing with local bureaucracy is not a problem, although it can be difficult to obtain a visa.

Expat-friendly countries in South and Central America

The countries of Central and South America are not only popular destinations for international expats, but also occupy the top two places in the Expat Insider Survey 2024 with Panama and Mexico.

1st place: Panama is the best country for expats in 2024

Are you looking for a place where you feel comfortable and welcome, where it’s easy to make new friends and build a good work-life balance – all without breaking your budget? Then your search ends here!

After coming 3rd last year, Panama has now been voted the best country for expats in 2024. The majority of respondents moved to Panama for financial reasons, either to retire or simply for the better quality of life. Upon arrival, 82% of expats are satisfied with their life in Panama (compared to 68% worldwide). The results for working abroad and quality of life are also remarkable.

Expats feel at home and welcome in Panama. Around three quarters of respondents believe that it is easy to adapt to the local culture. They are also satisfied with their social life there and find it easy to make local friends. Nevertheless, 43% say that they are mainly friends with other expats.

The reason for this is certainly not a lack of friendly locals: Over 41% of respondents fully agree that the population is friendly towards foreigners.

2nd place: Mexico is still one of the best countries for expats

Mexico impresses with its rich culture, colorful fiestas and ancient ruins such as Chichén Itzá. It is known for its beautiful beaches and offers expats delicious cuisine, a warm climate and friendly people. In addition, the cost of living is affordable and the diverse job opportunities and vibrant expat community make the country particularly attractive.

In the Expat Insider Survey 2024, Mexico now loses first place after two years at the top, but is still the country with the happiest expats.
Almost 90% of expats in Mexico say they are happy, which is over 20 percentage points higher than the global average of 68%. What makes Mexico so special? Mexico ranks in the top 10 in four of the five main categories (quality of life, settling in, working abroad, personal finances, basic expat needs), proving that expats love their lives there – even if there is still room for improvement in the quality of life area.

Since the first Expat Insider survey in 2014, Mexico has regularly scored well in the settling in category – and 2024 is no exception, with an impressive 86% of respondents rating the general friendliness of the Mexican people positively and 85% feeling welcome.

Getting used to the local culture and making local friends is also not a problem. Unsurprisingly, more than three quarters feel at home and welcome in Mexico – almost 20 percentage points higher than the global average of 58%.

Looking for a German community in Mexico? Get in touch with like-minded people via the InterNations expat community.

7th place: In Brazil, the locals are the friendliest towards expats

Brazil is known for its vibrant culture and impressive natural wonders such as the Amazon rainforest and the Iguazú Falls. Expats appreciate the warm climate, the friendly people, the rich music and dance tradition, the beautiful beaches and the vibrant nightlife.

According to the InterNations survey, expats face few challenges in Brazil. However, they should pay attention to their personal safety, as this aspect is still rated very poorly, as in previous years, and ranks in the bottom 10.

In the Expat Insider Survey 2024, Brazil ranks seventh out of 53 countries with impressive rankings in the categories of settling in, personal finances and in the subcategories of friendliness, leisure opportunities and work-life balance. However, the South American country lags behind in key quality of life sub-topics. Despite these challenges, expats in Brazil are among the happiest in the world.

Expat-friendly countries in Asia

Most Germans like it sunny and warm. Perhaps this is the reason why the Asian continent attracts and fascinates so many German emigrants. In 2023, a total of almost 15,000 Germans decided to emigrate to an Asian country (auswandern-info).

Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates are particularly popular.

3rd place: Indonesia offers the best work-life balance

Indonesia is a beautiful country in south-east Asia. With more than 17,000 islands, it is the largest archipelago in the world. It is also home to a variety of cultures and languages. The tropical climate, abundance of natural resources, relatively low cost of living and vibrant cities make Indonesia an attractive destination for emigrants.

Those who relocate to Indonesia can look forward to a friendly population, affordable housing and short working hours. However, the low quality of life and inadequate digital infrastructure come at a price.
After a slight decline in 2023, Indonesia returns to the winner’s podium in 2024, ranking third out of 53 destinations in the Expat Insider Survey 2024.

Although there is still room for improvement in some areas such as digital life, travel and transportation as well as healthcare, Indonesia attracts with low costs, friendly people and a good work-life balance. Overall, 84% of expatriates are satisfied with their life in Indonesia.

6th place: Thailand is attractive for pensioners

The low cost of living, good climate and relaxed lifestyle make the country particularly attractive for retirees. Last year, almost 2,200 Germans officially moved to Thailand (auswandern-info). Thailand is also regarded internationally as an affordable and friendly emigration destination.

Personal finances are child’s play for most expats in Thailand, a small starting capital is sufficient. In fact, most expats feel that their disposable household income is sufficient or more than sufficient to live a comfortable life.

It is therefore not surprising that more than two thirds of respondents are satisfied with their overall financial situation. There are also no problems with the housing situation, and Thailand also takes first place in this sub-category. Expats describe it as affordable and relatively easy to find. Expats are critical of the local economy, the work culture and salary and job security.

Tip: Want to emigrate as a pensioner and find out more? Then I recommend our blog article. Leaving Germany in retirement.

8th place: Vietnam impresses with its low cost of living

Vietnam is known for its breathtaking landscapes, vibrant cities and rich culture and history. Expats can look forward to delicious cuisine, friendly people, an affordable cost of living and a warm climate.

Despite significant deficits in quality of life, Vietnam is among the top 10 destination countries for international expats in 2024 according to the InterNations survey. Since last year, Vietnam has improved its ranking in all categories of the survey and is now ranked 8th overall. The main reason for the country’s attractiveness as an expat destination can be summarized in two words: low cost of living.

Vietnam has ranked first in the “personal finances” category for four years in a row. The general cost of living in the country is rated positively by 86% of respondents, more than double the global average (40%). Half of the respondents in Vietnam even gave this factor the best possible rating – by far the highest proportion among expats worldwide.

Unsurprisingly, 68% of expats believe that their disposable household income is more than enough to live comfortably – another top score in this year’s country comparison.

10th place: The United Arab Emirates offer a high quality of life

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a safe and modern emigration destination. In 2023, it was one of the most popular destination countries in Asia with around 2,300 emigrants, with Dubai in particular appearing to be very attractive for permanent settlement.

Dubai is a world-renowned metropolis that has been attracting people from all over the world for decades. It is a tourist hotspot and a financial center that has established itself as a tax haven. The Dubai government actively encourages immigration and offers numerous incentives for people wishing to settle in Dubai.
In general, expats appreciate the quality of life and working life in the United Arab Emirates. Expats are particularly satisfied with the ease of administrative procedures in the UAE.

One reason for this is probably that many government services are available online and it is easy to live in the UAE without speaking the local language. One point of criticism is the economy and wage and job security. Some international expats complain that they are underpaid.

Expat-friendly countries in Africa

Even though Africa is not exactly one of the most popular emigration destinations for many, more than 4,300 Germans officially sought a new adopted home on the diverse continent last year. So is Africa an attractive destination for emigrants after all? The reasons for emigrating to Africa are:

• Low cost of living
• Lots of sunshine and untouched nature
• Great biodiversity and exciting wildlife
• Uncomplicated immigration regulations
• People who want to contribute are welcome

South Africa is the most popular emigration country in Africa, but Kenya also makes it into the Expat Insider ranking in 2024, even far ahead of South Africa.

14th place: Expats are happy in Kenya, but have safety concerns

Kenya is known for its breathtaking natural landscapes, exotic wildlife and impressive savannahs. Expats can look forward to a rich cultural heritage, friendly people, a warm climate and numerous adventure activities.

This is also confirmed by the Expat Insider Study 2024: life as an expatriate in Kenya offers countless experiences, from lively cities to lush landscapes and a special local culture. Expats are satisfied overall (11th), but safety concerns and poor infrastructure put Kenya in 51st place for safety and travel and transit.

A hallmark of life in Kenya is the genuine warmth and hospitality of the locals. Expats appreciate Kenyans for their friendliness and find it easy to socialize and make friends. More than three quarters of respondents (78%) rate the friendliness of locals in general and towards foreigners positively.

29th place: South Africa – security is the biggest drawback

South Africa is an attractive destination for emigrants. It has a stable economy, an excellent healthcare and education system and a comparatively low crime rate. South Africa is a country of many cultures, languages and religions. It has beautiful coastlines, mountains, deserts and forests as well as impressive wildlife. In 2023, 654 Germans officially moved to the Republic of South Africa.

On average, it can be assumed that the cost of living in South Africa is around 20 to 30 percent lower than in Germany. However, this depends on the region in question.

Cape Town, for example, is significantly more expensive than Johannesburg when it comes to food and rent. Nevertheless, it is important to choose an environment in which you feel comfortable and not to base your choice of neighborhood solely on the low cost of rent. This is because the high crime rate characterizes everyday life in the big cities and outlying areas.

South Africa ranks 43rd in the quality of life category in the 2024 Expat Insider Survey, an improvement on 49th place in 2023. However, security issues remain acute, with the country ranking last for personal and political safety. Public transport is also rated as expensive and unsafe. In contrast, South Africa shines in terms of leisure opportunities, nature and climate, and also scores well for healthcare and has an improved working environment. In the area of personal finance, the country is ranked 18th and thus achieves its best result.

South Africa is an attractive destination for emigrants. It has a stable economy, excellent healthcare and education and a comparatively low crime rate. South Africa is a country of diverse cultures, languages and religions. It has beautiful coastlines, mountains, deserts and forests, as well as impressive wildlife. Around 550 Germans emigrated to South Africa in 2021.

On average, it can be assumed that the cost of living in South Africa is around 20 to 30 percent lower than in Germany. However, it depends on the area. Cape Town, for example, is significantly more expensive than Johannesburg when it comes to food and rent. However, it is important to choose an area where you feel comfortable and not base your choice of neighborhood solely on low rental costs. This is because the high crime rate is part of everyday life in the big cities and outlying areas.

Tanzania, on the other hand, is a safe alternative

Tanzania may not have made it into this year’s InterNations ranking, but it is still a very attractive country. It is a very peaceful country by global standards and is ranked 65th out of 163 in the Global Peace Index 2024 study, well ahead of South Africa (127th place).

Tanzania is located near the equator on the Indian Ocean and is almost three times the size of Germany, but only has around 60 million inhabitants. There are more than a hundred different languages in the country, Swahili and English are used for communication between locals and foreigners. Anyone emigrating to Tanzania can look forward to 1,400 kilometers of coastline and a tropical climate.

It is very easy for those wishing to move to Tanzania to apply for a 90-day tourist visa and get an idea of the country. You can apply for an e-visa in just a few steps on the government’s visa page. The application takes up to 10 days, you need a passport that is valid for at least 6 months, and you pay €50.

Expat-friendly countries in Oceania

Many Germans dream of starting a new life on the other side of the world. Australia and New Zealand are two countries where Germans very quickly feel at home, as both countries offer incredible nature as well as a western lifestyle that is very similar to that of Germany.

Australia – a popular destination for Europeans

Even though Australia did not make it into the 2024 ranking, it is an ideal country for many Germans to emigrate to. With its warm climate, beautiful beaches and friendly people, it offers a wonderful lifestyle. The economy is strong, the job market is thriving and the education and healthcare system is excellent.

However, Australia is very restrictive when it comes to issuing visas. The entry and immigration regulations are very strict. If you want to move to Australia as a German, you should definitely apply for a work visa. As there is a great shortage of skilled workers in Australia, you have good chances if you have the desired qualifications or if a company approaches you directly.

In 2023, around 3,000 Germans officially ventured to the other side of the world. Australia is one of the most popular destinations for European emigrants and a multicultural country. Did you know? 92% of the population is of European descent. – Most of them are British and Irish. But many immigrants from Italy, Germany, Greece, Poland and Croatia also start a new life Down Under (auswander-info).

In the Expat Insider 2023 survey, Australia ranked 20th out of 53, with expats saying they enjoyed their working life and were absolutely impressed by the amazing diversity of the landscape. However, they admitted that they struggle to afford to live in this popular destination.

New Zealand – a popular destination country with a strict immigration policy

New Zealand is a popular destination country for good reason. The island nation with around 4.7 million inhabitants is one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world. A breathtaking natural beauty with mountains, lakes, forests, the sea and incredible wildlife awaits its visitors. Many people dream of coming to this country.

Unemployment is one of the lowest in the world. However, only those who have the necessary capital or good qualifications can immigrate. Immigration policy is much stricter than in Australia. In 2023, around 950 Germans officially moved to New Zealand. Anyone wishing to emigrate requires a permanent visa and must demonstrate a very good command of English and meet one of the sought-after qualifications. Visas can be applied for at NZeTA .

New Zealand also did not make it into the ranking in 2024, but was ranked 45th out of 53 in the 2023 Expat Insider survey. Although expats appreciate New Zealand’s environment and climate, the cost of living was an increasing burden. The country ranked last in the ‘Personal Finance’ category in 2023. Many expats stated that their disposable household income was not enough to live comfortably in New Zealand.

Conclusion: In which country are German emigrants welcome?

There is no clear answer to this question, as it depends on individual circumstances and needs. Ultimately, it can be said that there are countries that are statistically more emigration-friendly than others. However, I am also firmly convinced that you can settle in and feel at home in any country.

It takes work and a lot of effort at the beginning to find your feet in a new country and a new environment, to make contacts and perhaps to get used to a new language and culture. But if you really want to do it, it will be easier than you might think.

Emigrating can be an incredibly great experience that you shouldn’t miss out on in your life. Listen to your gut feeling and choose a country that fascinates you the most and where you quickly feel at home.

And so that you don’t have too much stress before you leave, we’ll be happy to help you deregister your residence, cancel important contracts, redirect your mail to your new address and deregister your car. So, what are you waiting for?