Should you move abroad? Benefits and how to decide

A positive, practical guide for anyone weighing a move: what a new country can give you, what to prepare for and how, a twelve-question self-test and six steps from idea to decision.

In brief

Moving abroad suits a lot of people, and most of the hard parts are practical tasks with known solutions: a visa route, a bank account, health cover, taxes and a plan for staying close to family. In the InterNations Expat Insider survey (about 8,000 respondents, fieldwork February to March 2026) the best-rated destinations include Panama, Mexico, Thailand, the UAE, Brazil, Spain and Portugal, so well-liked options exist on several continents. This guide gives you the benefits, what to prepare for, a 12-question self-test and 6 decision steps.

Why so many people are thinking about it

Remote work, easier travel and well-developed expat communities have made a move far more manageable than it was ten years ago. People now compare countries the way they once compared cities: by climate, healthcare, schools, taxes, the cost of daily life and how easy it is to settle. The InterNations survey, with fieldwork from 1 February to 31 March 2026, ranks 31 destinations; the top ten were Panama, Mexico, Thailand, the UAE, Brazil, Spain, Singapore, Portugal, Malaysia and Luxembourg, according to press reports of the results. The same reports show that the ranking depends heavily on what you value, which is why a personal checklist works better than any league table.

What a move can give you

A better climate or more daylight, which many people name first and which is easy to test on a short stay.
A lower cost of living or a better standard of living for the same budget, depending on the country and city; our cost-of-living guide compares 12 countries with a stated method.
Access to good healthcare, public or private, with predictable costs once you have the right cover.
A wider choice of schools and languages for children, including international schools.
A tax position that can be more favourable, where the rules and your residency allow it; this is the area where a short consultation with a tax adviser pays off most.
New opportunities for work or a business, including remote work for clients elsewhere.
Safety and quiet in cities where daily life feels easier.
A larger map of friends, travel and ideas, plus a second base that can become a long-term home.

What to prepare for, and how

Every item below has a practical answer; preparing early is what makes the move smooth.

Visa and residence: choose the route first (work, remote work, family, property or retirement) and apply before you sell or give up anything. Our guide to residence through property compares the main routes.
Bank account and money transfers: opening an account can take time for newcomers, so start the paperwork early and keep an account at home. See the resident bank account guide.
Health cover: arrange private cover for the first months so that there is no gap; see the guide to health insurance after moving.
Taxes: learn where you become tax resident and keep records; our tax residency guide explains the 183-day logic.
Language: even basic phrases make daily life easier, and many cities have courses for newcomers.
Distance from family: plan visits in advance and set up a routine for calls; many movers choose countries with direct flights to where their relatives live.

Four typical profiles

A remote worker or freelancer: often values good internet, a nomad visa and a community. A trial stay of one to three months is a natural first step.
A family with children: usually weighs schools, healthcare and safety first, and benefits from visiting schools before deciding. See the guides on relocating with family and on schools abroad.
A retiree: often looks for climate, healthcare and an affordable lifestyle, and compares pension taxation. Several of our country guides cover retirement.
An entrepreneur: values business setup, banking and the legal environment, and sometimes starts with a company and a residence permit together.

These are generic profiles to help you think, not personal stories.

Twelve questions to ask yourself

What do I want most from the move: weather, income, safety, schools, change?
How long do I want to try it: a season, a year or longer?
Can my work move with me, and what does my employer or client need?
Which visa route fits my situation and budget?
What is my monthly budget, including health cover and a reserve?
Where will I be tax resident, and do I need advice?
How important is it that people speak my language?
What does my family need: school, a job for a partner, closeness to relatives?
How will I get to see the people I care about, and how often?
What happens to my home, car and belongings: sell, rent out or store?
Do I prefer a big city, a coast or a smaller town?
What would make me say after three months that this was a good decision?

If most answers feel clear, you are ready to compare countries; if not, the trial year described in our trial-year guide is the best way to find out.

From idea to decision in six steps

Write down your top three priorities from the questions above.
Shortlist three countries using the criteria and scoring method in our country-choice guide.
Check the visa route and the income or savings it requires on the official portal.
Plan a trial stay of one to three months in your top choice, as described in our trial-year guide.
Use the trial to test daily life: healthcare, banking, community and the seasons.
Decide whether to stay, change country or return, and only then think about buying property.

Guides by country

Each country guide below covers the benefits, what to prepare for and who the country suits.

Mediterranean

Spain: sun, healthcare and a big expat community.
Portugal: mild climate, safety and an easy-going pace.
Italy: food, culture and a lifestyle many dream of.
Greece: sea, islands and a relaxed way of life.
Cyprus: English-friendly, sunny and close to home.
France: culture, healthcare and variety from Alps to Riviera.
Montenegro: mountains and sea in a small friendly country.
Turkey: a big coast, affordable living and a warm climate.

Central and Northern Europe

Germany: strong job market, order and public services.
Austria: high quality of life and Alpine nature.
Switzerland: safety, stability and exceptional services.
United Kingdom: English-language environment and global opportunities.
Czech Republic: central location, culture and a compact capital.
Latvia: Baltic nature and a calm, EU-based lifestyle.
Estonia: digital services and a tech-friendly society.
Monaco: a unique micro-state with top safety.

Caucasus and neighbours

Georgia: easy start, hospitality and a Russian-friendly environment.
Armenia: a compact, warm and fast-moving community.
Azerbaijan: a growing capital and ASAN public services.
Belarus: a familiar environment close to home.
Israel: a strong tech scene and a large Russian-speaking community.

Gulf

UAE: tax-friendly, safe and very international.
Saudi Arabia: large projects and fast-changing opportunities.
Bahrain: a compact, open Gulf hub with an easy pace.

Asia and islands

Thailand: warm climate, wellness and affordable comfort.
Indonesia (Bali): island life with a big remote-work community.
Cambodia: low costs and a fast-developing coast.
Maldives: a dream setting with special rules for foreigners.
Mauritius: a stable island with a welcoming investor regime.

Americas

USA: huge market and wide range of lifestyles.
Brazil: warm culture, nature and large cities.

Related guides

FAQ

Is moving abroad right for everyone? No, and that is a good reason to test it. A move works best when you have a clear reason, a visa route and a financial reserve; a trial stay shows quickly whether daily life suits you.

How much money do I need before I go? It depends on the country, the city and your family, so build a monthly budget with health cover and a reserve for the first months. Our cost-of-living guide shows how to do it with a stated method.

Should I buy property straight away? Usually it is better to rent first and buy once you know the area and your visa route. A trial stay and the first 30 days tell you much more than a viewing trip.

Can I keep my job when I move? Many people do, if the employer or clients agree and the visa allows remote work. Check the local rules for the type of work you do.

How do I keep in touch with family and friends? Choose a country with good flight connections, plan visits ahead and set a regular call schedule. Many movers say that planning visits is what keeps the distance comfortable.

Should you move abroad: the benefits, what to prepare for and how to decide