There's no single "best" country, but Panama frequently tops expat surveys for overall happiness, affordability, and quality of life (especially for retirees), while Mexico offers great integration and culture, and the UAE excels in tax simplicity and high standards of living, though it can be expensive. Other popular choices often include Colombia, Thailand, and Spain, balancing factors like cost, climate, and ease of settling in.
1. Portugal. It's really no surprise that Portugal tops the list of countries recommended by expats. From its great weather, culture, low crime rates, people, and food to its affordable cost of living, natural beauty and health system, expats love almost everything about the country.
Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru deliver some of the lowest costs of living and most accessible pension visas in Latin America, where a typical $2,000 monthly Social Security check can comfortably cover housing, healthcare, and everyday expenses.
Here are the top destinations where our U.S. clients are moving with their families this year:
Yes, many of the safest countries, like Portugal, New Zealand, and Singapore, are also top destinations for expats and digital nomads. They combine personal security with access to healthcare, digital infrastructure, and streamlined immigration pathways such as digital nomad visas or residency by investment.
The Easiest Countries for Americans to Move To
The U.S. Department of State issues travel advisories for countries, with Level 4 ("Do Not Travel") warnings for places like Afghanistan, Belarus, Burma, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Russia, Syria, Venezuela, Yemen, Sudan, Somalia, South Sudan, Mali, Niger, Libya, Lebanon, Central African Republic, Burkina Faso, Ukraine, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, due to extreme risks like crime, terrorism, conflict, or civil unrest, while many others have lower levels (Level 3: Reconsider Travel, Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution, Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions). Always check the official travel.state.gov website for the most current advisories for specific destinations.
Get paid to move to Spain
So, Ponga, Asturias plans to boost the local economy by tempting skilled workers from other countries. Incoming families will receive €2,971 (US$3,448/£2,5735*) to move and an additional €2,971 for each newborn baby. Sounds like a good deal!
Yes, you can generally collect U.S. Social Security benefits while living in most other countries, especially if you're a U.S. citizen, though restrictions apply for non-citizens and some countries have sanctions (like Cuba, North Korea) or specific rules, requiring you to use the SSA's Payments Abroad Screening Tool to check your eligibility and report your foreign residence to avoid benefit suspension. U.S. citizens can usually receive payments indefinitely, but non-citizens might need to be physically in the U.S. for certain periods, and you'll still need to meet eligibility credits and potentially handle foreign taxes.
The cheapest and safe places to live balance low costs with security, with top contenders often including Portugal, Malaysia, Vietnam, Costa Rica, and Colombia, offering good value with strong expat communities, affordable healthcare, and manageable safety for under $1,000-$1,500/month in many areas, though specific cities matter for balancing budget and lifestyle.
Panama (1st) Moves Up in the World. Following an already amazing 3rd place in 2023, expats crown Panama the best country overall in 2024 — over four in five expats (82%) are happy with their life there (vs. 68% globally). Close to three-quarters of respondents (74%) are satisfied with their financial situation, too.
The latest Expat Insider 2025 ranking reveals the world's least friendly countries for foreigners, with Kuwait once again taking the top spot. Expats cite challenges in making local friends, difficulties integrating into the culture, and a generally unwelcoming social environment.
1. North Korea. North Korea is undoubtedly the most difficult country for Americans to visit, and not just because of political tensions. The U.S. government effectively bans all American citizens from traveling to North Korea under current regulations.
The city of Cumberland, Maryland, offers a relocation package of up to $20,000 (cash plus renovation/down payment match) to attract new residents, especially remote workers, to revitalize the area. While not a state, this specific city program within Maryland provides significant incentives, matching $10,000 cash with up to $10,000 for home improvements or new construction for those moving from outside Allegany County and committing to residency.
North America offers some of the easiest relocation options for US citizens, with familiar culture, short travel distances, and well-established expat communities. Canada and Costa Rica stand out as top choices, each offering residency pathways for investors, retirees, and families.
Among the safest countries in the world, the most affordable ones are Latvia, Chile, and Costa Rica, with a cost of living of under $1,100 per month for rent, groceries, and other everyday expenses.
The "red" category includes 11 countries whose citizens would be completely banned from entering the United States. These countries are Afghanistan, Bhutan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen, according to the New York Times.