Let’s check our list of the Best countries to live in 2023 below, featuring the best options for those considering, studying, working or investing in a new country
If you are considering moving abroad, this list is for you. We have analyzed data from a number of sources to determine what are the best countries to move in 2021.
The main indicators we have considered on this list are: pollution, ease of doing business, safety, transport, health care, opportunities in the job and business market, GDP growth and requirements to obtain a residence permit.
While some might be surprised with some of the countries in the list, others will be surprised with some of the countries that are not in this list.
Two important examples are Sweden and Georgia. While Sweden is a highly developed country, it has a prohibitive tax system and a severe housing crisis, making it very unattractive for expats. Georgia, on the other hand, does not have a great infrastructure, but it’s GDP is growing year after year at very high rates. It is also a very safe country and ranks among the easiest to do business currently.
Let’s check our list below:
The Best Countries to Move in 2023:
20 – Spain
Spain is at the bottom of our list, but it is still a great option. The great offers great quality of life, excellent health care and good opportunities in some sectors, especially in hospitality. Education is affordable and widely available, even for foreigners, but most degrees are available only in Spanish.
Check our articles and news on Spain here.
Pros: weather, health care, location, low budget for Western European standards.
Cons: high taxes, high bureaucracy.
Good for: students, employees, retirees.
19 – Germany
Germany is one of the top destinations for high skilled workers and foreign students, and it is easy to understand why. It has some of the best universities in the world when it come to technical fields, and a very developed industrial sector.
Check our articles and news on Germany here.
Pros: industrial sector opportunities, transport infrastructure, location, salaries.
Cons: high taxes, high bureaucracy.
Good for: students, employees.
18 – Poland
Poland is a very underrated destination when it comes to expats. The country is extremely safe, has a fast growing GDP on the past 2 decades, and a very favorable business climate. It is also much more affordable than Western Europe.
Check our articles and news on Poland here.
Pros: affordability, safety, growing economy, taxes are lower than the EU average.
Cons: cold weather, high bureaucracy.
Good for: students, employees, businesses, investors.
17 – Georgia
Georgia is an up-and-coming destination for expats after the country passed through a number of positive reforms in the past years. The country ranks as one of the best to do business. It is also pretty easy to get a residence permit in Georgia, and the country has an excellent location.
Check our articles and news on Georgia here.
Pros: affordability, safety, low taxes, low bureaucracy.
Cons: below average transport infrastructure in Europe.
Good for: freelancers, businesses, investors.
16 – Estonia
Estonia is on the edge of digital public management in Europe. The level of compliance businesses and individuals have in Estonia is far lower than the average in the European Union. The country also has lower than average taxes for the European Union, and a favorable business climate for start-ups.
Check our articles and news on Estonia here.
Pros: safety, relatively low taxes, low bureaucracy
Cons: location, cold weather, underdeveloped transport network for EU standards.
Good for: freelancers, start-ups, businesses, employees.
15 – North Macedonia
North Macedonia is another up and coming jurisdiction for those considering investing at a place with very low operational costs. Macedonia also ranks as one of the easiest countries to do business in the world.
Check our articles and news on North Macedonia here.
Pros: safety, low taxes, low labour and operation costs
Cons: pollution, poor transport infrastructure, underdeveloped banking industry.
Good for: freelancers, start-ups, businesses, investors.
14 – Australia
Australia is a top destination for expats, and a great places for business and investments. However in recent years, newer immigration laws and an overheated housing market decreased the attractiveness of this nation in Oceania.
Check our articles and news on Australia here.
Pros: safety, health care, wealthy consumer market, relatively low bureaucracy
Cons: high taxes, high cost of living.
Good for: employees, businesses.
13 – Cyprus
Cyprus is one of the European countries with the lowest rates of corporate income tax. For that reason a number of companies in the IT sector are based in the country. This EU member nation has also a great climate and it is quite safe.
Check our articles and news on Cyprus here.
Pros: mild weather, strong tourism and IT sector, low corporate tax rate.
Cons: high bureaucracy
Good for: retirees, businesses, investors, students.
12 – Hungary
Hungary, especially its capital Budapest, is one of the best places for expats to move in 2021. The city has an excellent transport infrastructure and a great geographic location. Apart from that, relatively low operation costs and many international companies help the Hungarian capital to have the perfect atmosphere for newcomers.
Check our articles and news on Hungary here.
Pros: low operation costs, low corporate tax, great infrastructure and quality of life.
Cons: high bureaucracy, difficult language.
Good for: students, freelancers, employees, businesses.
11 – Chile
Chile is by far the best country in South America in terms of quality of life, and has a relative relaxed residence permit policy. Apart from that the country has a skilled workforce and a low taxation level. The Chilean nature and diversified weather only add to the country’s excellent environment for expats.
Check our articles and news on Chile here.
Pros: relaxed visa regulations, low overall taxes.
Cons: geographic location.
Good for: freelancers, businesses, investors, retirees.
10 – Taiwan
Taiwan is one of the best countries to live in Asia and it is easy to understand why. This island nation has overall good weather year round (except for Typhoons), and it is an extremely safe place. Recently the country relaxed its residence visa policy for startups and investors, making it even more attractive.
Check our articles and news on Taiwan here.
Pros: relaxed visa regulations, low overall taxes, safety and health care.
Cons: difficult language, eventual typhoons.
Good for: employees, businesses, investors.
9 – New Zealand
New Zealand currently tops the list of the Ease of Doing Business ranking by the World Bank. The country remains extremely competitive and also offer a great quality of life for its residents and citizens. With a great business environment and excellent public services, New Zealand is an ideal place for almost all types of expats.
Check our articles and news on New Zealand here.
Pros: business environment, low taxes (for OECD countries), quality public services, English speaking country.
Cons: geographic location.
Good for: students, employees, business, investors, retirees.
8 – Czech Republic
The Czech Republic or Czechia is one of the best countries in the European Union to move to. The country has a very central location in the continent, lower taxes than its Western counterparts, and a high quality of life.
Check our articles and news on Czechia here.
Pros: business environment, low taxes (for EU standards), relaxed residence permit requirements for non-EU citizens, excellent transport infrastructure
Cons: difficult language, relatively high bureaucracy.
Good for: freelancers, businesses, students, employees.
7 – South Korea
South Korea is a country that has one of the fastest growth in both wealth and standards of living in the past decade. Currently, South Korea is wealthier and safer than most European Union nations. The country has also a good climate and excellent transport infrastructure.
Check our articles and news on South Korea here.
Pros: business environment, manufacturing capacity, health care, transport infrastructure.
Cons: difficult language, restrictive residence permit requirements.
Good for: students, businesses, investors.
6 – United States
The United States remains one of the most attractive countries in the world for expats for a number of reasons. The country has one the best and wealthiest consumer market in the world, with a very pro-business attitude (in most cases). The US also offer different climate zones, for all tastes.
Check our articles and news on United States here.
Pros: consumer and business market, English language, highly developed infrastructure.
Cons: high taxes, relative high regulations (depending on the sector), high property prices (in large cities).
Good for: employees, business, investors.
5 – Japan
Japan offers an extremely high quality of life. That includes excellent health care, high salaries, and one of the best transport infrastructures in the world. On the other hand, the country is still relatively closed to newcomers, although that is changing, including with the advent of new laws to attract foreign workers and investors.
Check our articles and news on Japan here.
Pros: excellent infrastructure and public services, pleasant weather, safety, large domestic market.
Cons: high taxes, relatively unopened to foreigners, difficult language.
Good for: employees, students, businesses.
4 – Singapore
Singapore is one of the world’s financial hubs and keeps attracting a huge influx of expats for the past 3 decades (at least). The city is modern, the infrastructure is top notch and the level of bureaucracy is quite low. Even is a highly ethnically diverse country, most communities tend to get along quite well in Singapore, helping expats to feel at home easier.
Check our articles and news on Singapore here.
Pros: low bureaucracy, good infrastructure, excellent business environment, safety.
Cons: extremely hot humid climate, low level of democratic governance.
Good for: employees, students, businesses, investors.
3 – Ireland
Ireland is another success story when it comes to improving economic conditions in a country. Not only Ireland become considerably wealthier compared most of its European counterparts, but it also manage to attract various tech giants to have its European HQs in Dublin. Low taxes and compliance combined with a great quality of life make of Dublin one of the most attractive cities for expats in the world.
Check our articles and news on Ireland here.
Pros: low taxes, low bureaucracy, good public services, English speaking.
Cons: expensive property prices.
Good for: students, employees, businesses, investors.
2 – United Kingdom
Despite the never-ending Brexit situation, the United Kingdom still remains of the most attractive places for expats. The country has one of the most business friendly environment in the world, apart from a great location and a highly diversified and developed economy. Add to that some of the best and most traditional universities in the world, and you will have a magnet for global expats.
Check our articles and news on the United Kingdom here.
Pros: low bureaucracy, low corporate tax for European standards, business environment, domestic market, English speaking.
Cons: Brexit uncertainties, property prices (in the London area).
Good for: students, employees, businesses, investors.
1 – Switzerland
Switzerland is in the top of our list of the best country to move for a number of reasons. High salaries and low taxes (in some Cantons) combined with a beautiful nation and central location in the European nation make of Switzerland a highly attractive place. Considering all of its advantages, getting to move to Switzerland can be quite a bureaucratic ordeal, but worth the try for almost all types of expats.
Check our articles and news on Switzerland here.
Pros: location, governance, nature, pro-business environment, safety, wealth.
Cons: restrictive residence permit requirements, expensive housing.
Good for: students, investors, businesses and employees.
This was our list of the best countries to immigrate in 2021. Any comments or suggestions? Leave your thoughts below.