The Expat Almanac: The Best Countries for Americans to Move To
Every country in the world scored across 10 weighted metrics for American families weighing where to move overseas. This is a relocation shortlist, built for readers evaluating destinations they intend to live in, not for constructing a Plan B passport you never plan to use.
The 2026 rankings
In the 2026 Expat Almanac, Malta leads with a composite of 85.4, followed by Greece (84.0), Italy (84.0), Spain (83.6), Malaysia (83.4). The top 10 also includes Switzerland, Uruguay, Portugal, Australia, France.
| Rank | Country | Score | Quality of Life | Safety | Taxes | Climate | Healthcare | Citizenship Path | Friendliness | Infrastructure | Connectivity | Cost of Living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 85.4 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 1 | |
| 2 | 84.0 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 2 | |
| 3 | 84.0 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 2 | |
| 4 | 83.6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 2 | |
| 5 | Malaysia | 83.4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
| 6 | Switzerland | 83.4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 1 |
| 7 | 82.8 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | |
| 8 | 82.6 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 2 | |
| 9 | Australia | 82.4 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 1 |
| 10 | 81.6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 2 | |
| 11 | 81.2 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 3 | |
| 12 | Czechia | 80.6 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| 13 | 80.4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 2 | |
| 14 | Singapore | 80.2 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 1 |
| 15 | South Korea | 80.0 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 2 |
| 16 | 80.0 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3 | |
| 17 | United Kingdom | 80.0 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 1 |
| 18 | 79.8 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 2 | |
| 19 | New Zealand | 79.6 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 1 |
| 20 | Monaco | 78.8 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 1 |
| 21 | 78.6 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | |
| 22 | Ireland | 78.0 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 1 |
| 23 | 77.8 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 2 | |
| 24 | Austria | 77.2 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 1 |
| 25 | Slovenia | 77.2 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| 26 | 77.0 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | |
| 27 | Poland | 76.6 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| 28 | Bahamas | 76.4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 1 |
| 29 | Germany | 75.8 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 1 |
| 30 | Netherlands | 75.8 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 1 |
| 31 | 75.6 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | |
| 32 | 75.6 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 2 | |
| 33 | Andorra | 75.4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 1 |
| 34 | Estonia | 75.4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2 |
| 35 | Belgium | 75.2 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 1 |
| 36 | Japan | 75.2 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 2 |
| 37 | 75.2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | |
| 38 | United States | 75.2 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 1 |
| 39 | 74.8 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | |
| 40 | 74.6 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | |
| 41 | Denmark | 74.2 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 1 |
| 42 | Chile | 74.0 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 2 |
| 43 | Luxembourg | 74.0 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 1 |
| 44 | Norway | 74.0 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 1 |
| 45 | Latvia | 73.8 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 2 |
| 46 | Montenegro | 73.8 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 |
| 47 | Romania | 73.8 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 |
| 48 | Canada | 73.6 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 1 |
| 49 | Croatia | 73.6 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| 50 | Iceland | 73.2 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 1 |
| 51 | Liechtenstein | 73.2 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 1 |
| 52 | Seychelles | 73.2 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 |
| 53 | Finland | 72.2 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 1 |
| 54 | Israel | 72.2 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 1 |
| 55 | Barbados | 72.0 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| 56 | Kuwait | 72.0 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 2 |
| 57 | North Macedonia | 71.4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 3 |
| 58 | Slovakia | 71.4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 |
| 59 | San Marino | 71.2 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 1 |
| 60 | St Vincent & Grenadines | 71.2 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| 61 | Sweden | 71.2 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 1 |
| 62 | 71.2 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 1 | |
| 63 | Lithuania | 70.8 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 |
| 64 | Qatar | 70.8 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 1 |
| 65 | Mauritius | 70.6 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| 66 | Bahrain | 70.4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 2 |
| 67 | 70.2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3 | |
| 68 | 69.8 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
| 69 | Bulgaria | 69.6 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| 70 | Saudi Arabia | 69.0 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 2 |
| 71 | China | 68.6 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| 72 | 68.4 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | |
| 73 | Albania | 68.2 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| 74 | Jordan | 68.2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
| 75 | 68.0 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | |
| 76 | Oman | 68.0 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 2 |
| 77 | Brunei | 67.6 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| 78 | 67.6 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 5 | |
| 79 | Georgia | 67.6 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| 80 | 66.8 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 5 | |
| 81 | Maldives | 66.6 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| 82 | Serbia | 65.0 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 2 |
| 83 | Trinidad & Tobago | 64.4 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| 84 | Vietnam | 63.4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
| 85 | 62.0 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | |
| 86 | Kazakhstan | 61.8 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 2 |
| 87 | Armenia | 61.0 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| 88 | 61.0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 | |
| 89 | Cape Verde | 60.4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| 90 | 60.4 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | |
| 91 | Jamaica | 60.2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| 92 | Uzbekistan | 60.2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 93 | Belize | 60.0 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| 94 | Peru | 60.0 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| 95 | South Africa | 60.0 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| 96 | Belarus | 59.6 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 3 |
| 97 | 59.6 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 4 | |
| 98 | Kyrgyzstan | 59.6 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| 99 | Suriname | 59.4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| 100 | Bosnia & Herzegovina | 59.2 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| 101 | Tunisia | 58.8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| 102 | Indonesia | 58.4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| 103 | Tonga | 58.4 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 104 | Moldova | 58.2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| 105 | Ukraine | 58.2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| 106 | Fiji | 57.6 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| 107 | Morocco | 57.6 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| 108 | Bhutan | 57.0 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| 109 | El Salvador | 57.0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 110 | Iran | 57.0 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| 111 | Lebanon | 56.6 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| 112 | Sri Lanka | 56.6 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 113 | Bolivia | 56.4 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| 114 | Azerbaijan | 55.8 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| 115 | Russian Federation | 55.4 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 2 |
| 116 | Palau | 55.0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| 117 | Rwanda | 54.8 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 5 |
| 118 | Guyana | 54.4 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| 119 | Ghana | 54.2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| 120 | Marshall Islands | 54.0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| 121 | Mongolia | 54.0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| 122 | Algeria | 53.8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| 123 | Botswana | 53.2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| 124 | Micronesia | 53.2 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 125 | Namibia | 53.2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 4 |
| 126 | Philippines | 53.2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 4 |
| 127 | Kiribati | 52.4 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| 128 | Cambodia | 51.8 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 129 | Zambia | 51.8 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| 130 | Comoros | 51.2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 131 | Cuba | 51.2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| 132 | Nicaragua | 51.0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 133 | Tajikistan | 50.6 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| 134 | Turkmenistan | 50.0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 135 | Kenya | 49.0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 136 | Nepal | 48.8 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 137 | Venezuela | 48.0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 5 |
| 138 | Guatemala | 47.8 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| 139 | Eswatini | 47.6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 140 | Laos | 47.6 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 141 | Zimbabwe | 47.6 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| 142 | Samoa | 47.4 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 143 | Senegal | 47.2 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 144 | 46.8 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | |
| 145 | Gabon | 46.0 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| 146 | Gambia | 46.0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 147 | Honduras | 45.8 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 4 |
| 148 | India | 45.8 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 4 |
| 149 | Tanzania | 45.0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 5 |
| 150 | Côte d'Ivoire | 44.8 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 4 |
| 151 | Uganda | 44.2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 152 | Angola | 44.0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 153 | Libya | 44.0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| 154 | Lesotho | 43.6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 155 | Malawi | 43.4 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 156 | Benin | 43.0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 157 | Timor-Leste | 42.6 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 158 | Tuvalu | 42.6 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 159 | Congo | 42.4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 160 | Solomon Islands | 42.2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 161 | Togo | 41.6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 162 | Syria | 41.2 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 163 | Burkina Faso | 41.0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 164 | Liberia | 40.6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 165 | Bangladesh | 40.2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 166 | Equatorial Guinea | 39.4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| 167 | Guinea-Bissau | 39.0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 168 | Pakistan | 39.0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 169 | Mozambique | 38.2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 170 | Cameroon | 38.0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 171 | Mauritania | 38.0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 172 | Nigeria | 38.0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 173 | Djibouti | 37.6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 174 | Iraq | 37.2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| 175 | North Korea | 37.2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| 176 | Myanmar | 36.6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 177 | Madagascar | 35.0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 178 | Papua New Guinea | 33.8 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 179 | Burundi | 33.4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 180 | Guinea | 33.4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 181 | Haiti | 32.8 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 182 | Niger | 32.2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 183 | Ethiopia | 31.8 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 184 | DR Congo | 30.8 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 185 | Afghanistan | 30.0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 186 | Mali | 29.4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 187 | Sudan | 28.4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 188 | Central African Republic | 27.2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 189 | Chad | 26.8 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 190 | Yemen | 26.4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| 191 | Somalia | 25.2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 192 | South Sudan | 25.2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 193 | Eritrea | 23.6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
Weighing several destinations? We work backward from your goals to a shortlist and a plan.
Get my Blueprint →Tax scores are illustrative, based on typical profiles of American families relocating abroad. Individual outcomes vary substantially. This is not tax or legal advice, consult a licensed professional.
How the 10 scores are calculated
Every country receives a 1 to 5 score on each of the 10 metrics below. Composites are the weighted average, scaled to 0 to 100. Weights follow the ordering in the priorities panel; the reader can re-rank them at any time. Full sources, retrieval dates, and per-metric rubrics are on the methodology page.
Quality of Life
Livability, services, environment, and family-quality factors, sourced from UNDP HDI and expert review.
Explore →Safety
A 40% blend of homicide and organized-crime data, plus 30% political stability and 30% rule of law.
Explore →Taxes
Rate structure, foreign-income treatment, and US treaty availability for American residents.
Explore →Climate
Köppen classification adjusted for humidity, seasonality, and cyclone or disaster exposure.
Explore →Healthcare
WHO Universal Health Coverage index for quality of care, access, and pediatric strength.
Explore →Citizenship Path
Citizenship pathway length, dual-citizenship treatment, and citizenship-by-investment availability.
Explore →Friendliness
English proficiency and the depth of established American expat communities in major cities.
Explore →Infrastructure
World Bank Logistics Performance Index plus broadband reliability from Ookla's global panel.
Explore →Connectivity
Direct routes to US and regional hubs, weighted alongside broadband penetration.
Explore →Cost of Living
Numbeo cost-of-living index quintile, adjusted for infrastructure realities at the local level.
Explore →
Your shortlist by region and destination
The six region pages below cut the Expat Almanac to a single geography and add a short regional read. The featured destination cards open the Freedom Files country page, which covers the residency or citizenship programs available to Americans, the tax picture, and the on-the-ground practicalities of a move.
By region
Europe
Best countries in Europe for American expats
Latin America
Best countries in Latin America for American expats
Caribbean
Best countries in the Caribbean for American expats
Asia-Pacific
Best countries in Asia-Pacific for American expats
Middle East & Africa
Best countries in the Middle East and Africa for American expats
North America
Best countries in North America for American expats
Featured destinations
Sorted by composite score. Click a metric pill to re-sort.
- MaltaComposite85.4
- GreeceComposite84.0
- ItalyComposite84.0
- SpainComposite83.6
- UruguayComposite82.8
- PortugalComposite82.6
- FranceComposite81.6
- HungaryComposite81.2
- Antigua & BarbudaComposite80.4
- TurkeyComposite80.0
- CyprusComposite79.8
- ArgentinaComposite78.6
- Costa RicaComposite77.8
- Dominican RepublicComposite77.0
- DominicaComposite75.6
- St Kitts & NevisComposite75.6
- ThailandComposite75.2
- PanamaComposite74.8
- GrenadaComposite74.6
- United Arab EmiratesComposite71.2
- MexicoComposite70.2
- St LuciaComposite69.8
- EcuadorComposite68.4
- BrazilComposite68.0
- ColombiaComposite67.6
- ParaguayComposite66.8
- VanuatuComposite62.0
- São Tomé & PríncipeComposite61.0
- NauruComposite60.4
- EgyptComposite59.6
- Sierra LeoneComposite46.8
Best-of cuts
Best low-tax countries
Expat Almanac cut sorted by the Taxes score.
Safest countries for Americans
Expat Almanac cut sorted by the Safety score.
Easiest citizenship for Americans
Expat Almanac cut sorted by the Citizenship Path score.
Best golden visa countries
Featured residency-by-investment programs in 2026.
The Expat Almanac, in your inbox
Re-rankings, program changes, and real-life stories that matter for Americans abroad. Get the private emails by signing up below.
Your custom shortlist in 90 seconds
Want a personalized match to your goals, family, budget, timeline? The Plan B Blueprint asks you 10 questions and returns a shortlist of your ideal destinations and the residency or citizenship programs in those countries that fit, generated instantly.
Scores tell you where. A Freedom Consult tells you how.
Speed up your research and get pointed advice for your situation in a 60-minute working session with a Freedom Files advisor. We pressure-test a shortlist of countries against your goals, and point you at the 2-5 specific programs that fit your situation perfectly.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best countries for Americans to move to in 2026?
Freedom Files' 2026 Expat Almanac ranks Malta, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, and Uruguay in the top five, followed by Greece, Italy, Portugal, Australia, and France. The composite score blends 10 weighted metrics and is recomputed annually as source data refreshes.
Which countries are easiest for Americans to move to?
Malaysia's MM2H, Uruguay's Rentista, and several Caribbean citizenship-by-investment programs have among the lowest financial and residency-time barriers for American applicants. Ease depends on your income profile, family situation, and how quickly you want a passport, all of which the Plan B Blueprint questionnaire covers in 90 seconds.
Which are the safest countries for Americans to live abroad?
The Safety score in the Expat Almanac combines homicide and organized-crime data with World Bank political-stability and rule-of-law indices. Switzerland, Portugal, Spain, and Italy consistently rank among the safest for American families, while several Caribbean and Latin American destinations vary substantially by neighborhood and season.
What are the best low-tax countries for Americans?
The US taxes its citizens on worldwide income, so "low tax" for an American means minimizing local-country tax on top of the federal burden. Malta, the UAE, and territorial-tax jurisdictions such as Panama, Costa Rica, and Uruguay lead the Expat Almanac's Taxes column. Structuring the residency correctly is where a licensed cross-border tax advisor earns their fee.
Which countries make it easiest for Americans to get a second passport?
Antigua & Barbuda, St Kitts & Nevis, Grenada, Dominica, and St Lucia offer Caribbean citizenship by investment with donations or property purchases in the two hundred to four hundred thousand USD range. Malta's citizenship route is more expensive but yields a European Union passport. The Citizenship Path column in the table sorts the full list.
Where can US citizens get residency most easily?
Portugal (D7 passive-income visa), Uruguay (Rentista), Mexico (Economic Solvency), and Malaysia (MM2H) have among the lowest financial thresholds and clearest documentation pathways for Americans. Every featured destination page on Freedom Files walks through the specific program requirements.
What golden visa options are best for Americans in 2026?
Malta, Portugal (fund route only after 2023 reforms), Greece, and the UAE currently offer investor-residency programs open to Americans, each with different capital thresholds and residency requirements. Spain's golden visa closed in 2025; Ireland's closed earlier.
How do I decide where to move abroad?
Start with what matters most to your family: tax outcome, timeline to a passport, cost of living, healthcare, or lifestyle. The Expat Almanac's "Your priorities" panel re-weights the 10 metrics to your ordering and re-ranks every country. The Plan B Blueprint questionnaire narrows it further into a shortlist of three to five destinations with the specific residency programs that fit.
How often does the Expat Almanac update?
The rankings are refreshed at least annually as new source data lands. Between full refreshes, individual scores are updated when programs change materially (new golden-visa threshold, citizenship-law amendment, a program suspension). Every score carries a source and confidence flag on the methodology page.
Is this tax or legal advice?
No. The Expat Almanac is editorial research. Tax scores in particular are illustrative and vary substantially by individual profile. Freedom Files works with licensed cross-border tax counsel and immigration lawyers for every client engagement, and any specific plan is built with those advisors, not from a ranking table.