Safety is a top priority when moving abroad. We ranked countries by combining budget-friendliness with quality-of-life indicators — focusing on destinations known for political stability, low crime, and welcoming attitudes toward foreigners. Here are the safest countries for expats in 2026.

Countries

from $900

Cheapest

from $800

Most expensive

200

Total cities

🇦🇱

Albania

The Balkans' rising star — official digital nomad visa, 0–13% income tax, Albanian Riviera beaches, and all-in living from $900/month

from $900 100 Mbps Good among under-35s and in tourist areas; improving rapidly 2 cities

🇦🇷

Argentina

Buenos Aires: world-class steak, tango, and a tech-hub culture at 40–60% of Western European costs — with a newly stabilised economy and a dedicated Digital Nomad Visa

from $1,000 50 Mbps Moderate — highest in Latin America, basic outside Buenos Aires 4 cities

🇦🇺

Australia

Sun, space, and one of the world's highest standards of living — with a clear path to permanent residency

from AUD 3,500 55 Mbps Native language 6 cities

🇧🇩

Bangladesh

South Asia's hidden gem — ultra-affordable living, vibrant culture, and a rapidly growing economy

from $600 60 Mbps Widely spoken in business & expat areas 2 cities

🇧🇧

Barbados

The Caribbean's premier digital nomad destination — 12-month Welcome Stamp visa, English-speaking, no capital gains tax, and world-class beaches just 4.5 hours from New York

~$2,738/mo all-in 72 Mbps Native — English is the official and everyday language 2 cities

🇧🇼

Botswana

Africa's most stable democracy — diamond wealth, pristine wilderness, and a growing expat scene

$1,000–$1,500 87 Mbps Official language — widely spoken 2 cities

🇧🇷

Brazil

South America's vibrant giant — digital nomad visa, tropical lifestyle, and affordable living in the world's 5th-largest country

from $1,200 120 Mbps Limited — basic outside business/tourist areas 6 cities

🇧🇬

Bulgaria

The EU's lowest taxes — 10% flat income and corporate tax, euro adopted in 2026, Schengen member, and home to Europe's cheapest digital nomad hub in Bansko

from €600 300 Mbps Very good among under-40s in Sofia; good in tourist areas and tech sector 3 cities

🇰🇭

Cambodia

Southeast Asia's most laid-back expat haven — dollar-based economy, ultra-low cost of living, easy long-term visas, and a welcoming culture that makes settling in effortless

from $800/mo 35 Mbps Widely spoken in expat areas and tourist hubs 3 cities

🇨🇦

Canada

One of the world's most immigrant-friendly nations — quality healthcare, multicultural cities, and a clear path to permanent residency

from CAD 2,800 230 Mbps Official language — spoken natively by ~75% 6 cities

🇨🇱

Chile

South America's most stable democracy — Andean backdrops, world-class wine, Patagonian wilderness, and a Santiago expat scene that punches well above its weight

from $1,200 120 Mbps Moderate 2 cities

🇨🇳

China

The world's manufacturing powerhouse and cultural giant — massive opportunity, fascinating daily life, and a cost of living that stuns Western expats

from $1,200 200 Mbps Low overall; moderate in expat hubs and international business 2 cities

🇨🇴

Colombia

Medellín's eternal spring, a thriving digital nomad boom, ultra-affordable living, and some of the warmest people on earth

from $1,000 50 Mbps Moderate 5 cities

🇨🇷

Costa Rica

Pura Vida — Latin America's safest democracy, top 30 global healthcare, territorial tax freedom, and two coasts of extraordinary nature

from $1,600 75 Mbps Moderate-High — ranked 38th globally; excellent in expat/tourist areas 2 cities

🇭🇷

Croatia

EU's Adriatic gem — digital nomad visa, Mediterranean lifestyle, and eurozone living at half the Western European price

from €1,200 100 Mbps Widely spoken in cities and tourist areas 4 cities

🇨🇿

Czech Republic

Medieval beauty, world's best beer, EU access — at a fraction of Western European prices.

from €1,400 106 Mbps Moderate — good in Prague, limited elsewhere 4 cities

🇩🇰

Denmark

The world's happiest country — hygge culture, flat hierarchies, universal healthcare, and a world-class quality of life that consistently tops every global ranking

from DKK 22,000 200 Mbps Excellent — near-universal in cities 2 cities

🇪🇨