Quality of life is one of the most important factors for expats choosing where to live. And while what that looks like can vary from person to person, certain countries are better known for their top-notch lifestyles than others.
Spain was the top country in the world when it came to overall quality of life, according to a new study from InterNations, an expat networking community. The study found the country is so beloved, a whopping 84 percent of expats who move there are happy with their lives, compared to just 67 percent of expats globally.
In Spain, expats love the weather, culture and nightlife, and opportunities for recreational sports with each ranking first in their respective categories. The country also received high marks for its affordable, quality health care and public transportation.
Spain has consistently taken the top spot since 2022.
The United Arab Emirates took the second spot on the list thanks to expats feeling safe, “readily available” healthcare, positively-viewed political stability, and a variety of dining options. Panama came in third with high marks for its leisure options, sporting opportunities, and culture and nightlife. This marked a milestone for the Central American country, which cracked the top five after being ranked No. 16 last year.
The survey looked at five categories to determine overall quality of life: safety and security, healthcare, leisure options, travel and transit, and environment and climate. In order for a country to be considered, it needed to have at least 50 respondents.
As a whole, European destinations made up many of the top 10 countries for overall quality of life. Beyond Spain, Austria came in 4th place, Luxembourg came in 5th place, Czechia came in 8th place, and Portugal came in 10th place.
On the other end of the spectrum was Kuwait, which ranked last overall on the list along with last in two specific categories: environment and climate and leisure options. About 70 percent of expats who relocate to Kuwait do so for job-related reasons, according to the study.
Travelers looking to relocate to another country should go through a few steps before officially becoming expats. It’s recommended to get acquainted with visa requirements, register with the U.S. State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), and connect with fellow expats ahead of time for some much-needed support. There are also a lot of amazing destinations to consider moving to from Portugal and Mexico to New Zealand, Canada, and beyond.
