International insurance company William Russell has ranked the countries where it is easiest to find employment, settle in, and become part of the local community.
Portugal ranked ninth, outperforming most other European destinations.
How the ranking was compiled
William Russell published its study, The Most Welcoming And Friendly Countries And Cities For Expats In 2026, on June 10th, 2026[1][Source: Most Welcoming Countries & Cities For Expats Ranking]. Unlike tourism rankings, the study assessed not only each country’s appeal for short-term travel but also its suitability for permanent residence.
The country index considers six factors: expat experience, the proportion of migrants in the population, foreign-born employment, local attitudes towards immigrants, safety, and the ease of obtaining a visa or residence permit.
Results
The 10 most welcoming countries for expats:
- Iceland — 8.94 points.
- Luxembourg — 8.69.
- New Zealand — 8.57.
- Australia — 8.54.
- Switzerland — 8.36.
- Ireland — 7.89.
- Colombia — 7.71.
- Czechia — 7.62.
- Portugal — 7.47.
- Austria — 7.40.
Iceland topped the ranking due to its foreign-born employment rate of 84.2%. In Luxembourg, migrants account for 51.2% of the population, the highest proportion among the countries assessed.
Portugal received a score of 7.47. Migrants represent 10.8% of the country’s population, while the employment rate among foreign-born residents is 76.5%. Portugal’s visa openness was rated at 93 out of 100.
The study also found that popularity among travellers does not guarantee easy integration. South Korea ranked 34th, while Japan placed 37th.
The researchers attributed the low positions of Asian countries to their relatively small foreign-born populations. However, Tokyo ranked joint second among the world’s most welcoming cities, alongside Singapore.
Pedro Barata,
Head of Portuguese office
The key takeaway is that a successful relocation depends not only on quality of life and straightforward visa procedures, but also on opportunities to work, access essential infrastructure and build strong social connections.
How to obtain a residence permit in Portugal
Foreign nationals have several ways to relocate to Portugal, which ranked among the world’s 10 best destinations for expats.
The D7 Visa is intended for financially independent foreign nationals with passive income of at least €920 per month. Applicants must also purchase or rent residential property in Portugal.
The D8 Visa is available to remote professionals who earn income from abroad. In 2026, applicants must demonstrate a monthly income of at least €3,680 and savings of at least €11,040. After entering Portugal, the applicant receives a two-year residence permit, which can be renewed for another three years.
The Golden Visa is suitable for investors who do not plan to live in Portugal permanently. The minimum investment is €250,000. To maintain the residence permit, investors need to spend as little as seven days per year in the country.
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