Panama named the best country for expats to live and work

It became a leader in two categories at once — "Working Abroad" and "Personal Finance," writes BBC.

87% of expats (people who moved to Panama) say they are satisfied with life in the country. For comparison, the global average is 70% of respondents.

Another indicator where Panama outperforms many other countries is housing availability: 90% of respondents say it's easy to find here.

Ariel Barrionuevo moved from Argentina to Panama's Caribbean coast eight years ago. Soon he noticed that he started sleeping better, waking up refreshed, and generally feeling better.

At first, he thought it was just the effect of a vacation, but over time he realized: it was about the place itself.

"Life here moves at its own rhythm," Ariel says.

He now manages the La Coralina Island House hotel on Colón Island.

Every day he walks by the ocean or in the tropical garden and listens to the birds singing.

"It's a simple ritual, but it reminds me why I chose to live here," says Ariel.

According to him, living in Panama is cheaper than in Argentina. He also values the country's stable economy — thanks to this, it's easier for him to plan for the future and conduct business.

Reza Motalebpour moved to Panama City from Canada.

According to her, working remotely here is not difficult: good internet is available both at home and in co-working spaces. She also uses banking services without problems. It is especially convenient that you can pay with dollars in the country.

Initially, prices might seem high to Canadians due to exchange rates, she notes.

But utilities, insurance, and property taxes here are relatively low, so overall, the cost of living is quite justifiable.

Of course, there are also downsides. Ariel Barrionuevo mentions delivery delays and the weather, which can change all plans on the island at any moment.

But he does not regret choosing a calmer pace of life. On the contrary, he advises both tourists and those considering relocation to try it.

Among the places he recommends visiting is Bluff Beach. He also suggests buying fresh fruit from a roadside vendor, then spending the day watching surfers at Paoance Beach.

"I came thinking I was moving to a beautiful place. But now I understand that I actually chose a different way of life — where time is more important than speed, experiences are more important than things, and connecting with people is more important than constant busyness."

The international organization InterNations surveyed thousands of people living in various countries and compiled a ranking of 31 countries — from Panama and Mexico to Singapore and Luxembourg.

They were evaluated based on quality of life, ease of settling in, working abroad, personal finances, housing availability, and other important criteria for everyday life.

Top 10 countries in 2026: Panama, Mexico, Thailand, UAE, Brazil, Spain, Singapore, Portugal, Malaysia, Luxembourg.

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