The 2026 Expat Insider survey from InterNations has named Panama the world’s most welcoming destination for people building a life abroad, placing it top among 31 countries assessed across quality of life, ease of settling in, working abroad, personal finance and practical essentials.
Why Panama leads
Panama claimed first place overall for the third successive year, driven largely by high marks for working abroad and personal finance. According to the survey, 87% of expats living there report being satisfied with life abroad — well above the 70% global average reported in the study — and 90% say finding housing is straightforward.
Expats interviewed in the report described a mix of lifestyle and practical reasons for relocating. One expat, Ariel Barrionuevo, said moving to Panama’s Caribbean coast improved his sleep and daily rhythm; the InterNations report quoted him saying the change made him feel more present. Another expat, Reza Motalebpour, who moved to Panama City from Canada this year, praised the country’s internet connectivity and easy banking, which she said makes remote work and financial administration simpler.
Top 10 destinations in 2026
The survey’s top 10 reflects a mix of cost, friendliness and practical convenience. Seven of the top 10 were also rated among the easiest places to settle in, and five scored highly for personal finances.
| Rank | Country |
|---|---|
| 1 | Panama |
| 2 | Mexico |
| 3 | Thailand |
| 4 | United Arab Emirates |
| 5 | Brazil |
| 6 | Spain |
| 7 | Singapore |
| 8 | Portugal |
| 9 | Malaysia |
| 10 | Luxembourg |
What stood out to expats
- Friendliness and ease of settling in: Several top-ranked countries also scored highly for how simple it is to build a social life and settle bureaucratically.
- Affordability and financial predictability: Personal finance scores had strong influence on the overall ranking, with half the top 10 also leading for finances.
- Working remotely: Reliable internet and co-working options were cited as decisive by those who work from overseas locations.
The survey findings indicate many expats choose destinations that combine practical services with lifestyle benefits — such as access to nature, relaxed daily rhythms and community life — rather than selecting purely on prestige or salaries.
"I realised that wasn't because I was on holiday, it was because this place has a rhythm of its own," the InterNations report quoted Ariel Barrionuevo saying about life on Panama's Caribbean coast.
Context for South Africans
For South Africans weighing the move abroad, the InterNations results underline a few useful signals. Countries that routinely rank highly often offer clear advantages for remote working, affordable housing and straightforward banking — practical concerns that can ease the transition. That said, moving overseas also requires attention to visa rules, healthcare access and tax obligations at home and abroad. The report’s emphasis on how expats adapt — finding daily rituals, local social networks and dependable services — is a reminder that lifestyle benefits and practical arrangements often determine long-term happiness overseas.
Readers considering relocation might take the survey as a starting point for deeper research into specific destinations' visa regimes, job markets, cost of living and community support for newcomers. The InterNations report pairs headline rankings with personal accounts that help explain how and why people settle in particular places, offering practical colour to the numbers.
Overall, the 2026 Expat Insider results highlight that a welcoming community, reasonable costs and dependable infrastructure remain the most persuasive factors for people building a life away from home.
