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There is no single best country for every American expat. Portugal, Spain, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, France, Germany, Malaysia, Thailand, Uruguay, Colombia, South Africa, Ghana, Japan, Greece, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, the United Arab Emirates and Canada are all places to consider—but the right choice depends on your budget, legal route, work plans, healthcare needs, language comfort and family situation. Treat this as a shortlist for further comparison, not a ranking of objectively superior countries.
One survey offers a useful but limited point of reference: InterNations’ 2026 Expat Insider survey ranked Panama first among 31 destinations. That reflects the survey’s respondents and measures; it does not predict how an American with your circumstances will fare there.
Which countries should Americans put on an expat shortlist?
The countries below surfaced in 2026 destination guides from GoExpat and Going, alongside the InterNations survey. The entries are prompts for deciding where to investigate, not claims that a country is affordable, safe, easy to immigrate to or especially good for healthcare. Those answers can vary by location and by the person moving.
Portugal
Consider it if you are comparing European destinations. Before narrowing your search, compare the specific place you might live with other European candidates on housing costs, language, healthcare access and the residence route available to you.
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Spain
Put Spain on the list if you want to weigh another European option against Portugal, France, Germany and Greece. Research your likely city or region rather than assuming one national cost or lifestyle applies everywhere.
Mexico
Consider Mexico if proximity to the United States is an important part of your decision. Check the travel connections from your intended location and assess the current U.S. State Department advisory for the specific destination.
Costa Rica
Add Costa Rica if you are exploring Central American destinations. Compare the local cost of your intended lifestyle, healthcare arrangements and eligibility for residence rather than relying on broad descriptions of the country.
Panama
Panama merits a look if you are comparing Central American options, and it has a dated survey result worth knowing: InterNations ranked it first among 31 destinations in its 2026 Expat Insider survey. That is a ranking of survey respondents’ experiences, not a guarantee of affordability, visa eligibility or quality of life for you.
France
Include France if you are weighing European choices and are prepared to investigate how language, location, healthcare access and legal status fit your plans. Verify residence and work permissions with the relevant official authority.
Germany
Germany is another European candidate to compare against your priorities. Check the current residence route and work permission that apply to your own employment arrangement, including whether remote work is permitted.
Malaysia
Consider Malaysia if you are comparing destinations in Asia. For any city under consideration, verify local housing and everyday costs, healthcare arrangements, language needs and the legal basis for your stay.
Thailand
Thailand belongs on a broad Asia shortlist. Establish which current residence route, if any, fits your situation, and do not assume that permission to visit also permits residence or work.
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Uruguay
Explore Uruguay if you are considering South American destinations. Compare the places you would realistically live and the residence requirements that apply to you; a country-level list cannot establish your eligibility.
Colombia
Colombia is another South American option to investigate. Assess safety at the destination level using current official advice, and compare local costs and healthcare arrangements for your own needs.
South Africa
Consider South Africa if you are exploring a move to southern Africa. Look beyond a country-level impression: research the specific location, current safety advice, healthcare access and the residence and work rules for your circumstances.
Ghana
Ghana is an option to research if you are considering West Africa. Before making a financial commitment, verify current residence eligibility, work permission, healthcare arrangements and the practical support available where you plan to live.
Japan
Japan may suit someone whose priorities point toward an East Asian destination. Make language and integration needs part of your assessment, alongside the specific residence route and work permission relevant to you.
Greece
Consider Greece as another European candidate. Compare actual locations and costs, and verify healthcare eligibility and residence requirements rather than assuming they follow from choosing the country.
Singapore
Singapore is an Asia-Pacific destination to include if it fits your location preferences. Check whether you qualify for an appropriate residence and work route before treating it as a practical option.
Australia
Australia belongs on a shortlist for readers considering a move to the Asia-Pacific region. Assess the travel distance and connections to the United States, then check current residence and work eligibility for your situation.
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New Zealand is another option for someone weighing an Asia-Pacific move. Consider U.S. travel logistics, local costs and the current legal route available to you before comparing it with closer destinations.
United Arab Emirates
Include the United Arab Emirates if you are considering a move to the Gulf region. Verify residence conditions, work permission, healthcare arrangements and the location-specific costs that matter to your household.
Canada
Canada may be worth comparing if staying relatively close to the United States is a priority. Proximity does not establish a right to reside or work there, so confirm the current route and assess the location you would actually choose.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How should you compare your finalists?
Going’s 2026 guide identifies cost, healthcare, visa pathways, safety, expat community and language as useful comparison factors. Use them at the level of the place and circumstances you are considering:
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors- Budget and location: Estimate rent and everyday spending for a specific town or city and your likely lifestyle. A national average cannot predict your neighborhood or household budget.
- Residence and work permission: Separate visitor entry from residence status and permission to work. Check whether the route covers your employment arrangement, including remote work if relevant, with the destination’s official authority.
- Healthcare: Check access, eligibility, language, insurance requirements and out-of-pocket costs separately. Do not assume that residence status immediately gives you access to every public benefit.
- Safety: Review current U.S. State Department advice for the specific destination. A national label or survey result cannot guarantee personal safety.
- Integration and support: Consider language, family needs, local norms, community and the support network you can build. An expat community does not replace the need to assess day-to-day fit.
- U.S. access: Compare travel time and connections for the people and obligations you expect to visit. A country’s location alone does not tell you how convenient a particular route will be.
What should Americans know about taxes before moving?
The IRS says U.S. citizens and resident aliens abroad generally follow the same federal income-tax filing rules as people living in the United States, and worldwide income is generally subject to U.S. income tax. Some taxpayers may qualify for foreign earned income exclusions or credits, but eligibility depends on individual facts and applicable tests. Foreign financial accounts can also trigger separate reporting duties, including FBAR requirements. Check current IRS guidance and consult a qualified tax professional about your circumstances; a host country’s tax treatment does not resolve U.S. obligations.
Quick Recap
How can you turn the shortlist into a decision?
- Set your non-negotiables. Write down your budget, family and healthcare needs, work arrangement, language preferences and how often you need to reach the United States.
- Choose a few specific locations. Compare places you could realistically live, not only country names. Gather local cost information and assess current destination-specific safety advice.
- Verify the legal route. Confirm that you qualify for a current residence category and that it permits the work you intend to do. Use the destination’s official authority; a general guide or survey cannot confirm individual eligibility.
- Check the financial and practical consequences. Review healthcare access, insurance needs, U.S. tax filing and any foreign-account reporting that may apply. Include travel and support-network needs in your comparison.
- Recheck details before committing. Immigration rules and official safety advice can change. Confirm the current requirements with the relevant authority before making a move or relying on a particular route.
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