October 7, 2025, 8:32 am | Read time: 4 minutes

Recently, we at TRAVELBOOK reported on the countries worldwide that are best for expatriates according to the “Expat Insider Report.” If the top three are a bit too far from your original home but you still desire a new, livable place to reside, read on. The country that has been named the best for quality of life by expatriates surveyed for the report for the third consecutive year is in Europe. Many of you have likely visited it, as it is one of the favorite vacation destinations for Germans.

The Country with the Best Quality of Life Worldwide Is …

… Spain. Since 2022, the neighbor of Portugal and France has held the top spot in the Quality of Life Index of the report. This year, 20 percent of expatriates stated they moved there specifically for the improved quality of life. Eight percent relocate to Spain for retirement. Most expatriates in Spain are very satisfied, with 84 percent compared to the global 67 percent.

One reason might be the weather, which, along with climate, urban and natural environment, and air quality, ranks seventh in this category, with more than half of the surveyed expats rating it as very good. Besides the weather, the lifestyle itself appeals to newcomers. Culture and nightlife, culinary offerings, and numerous recreational sports options are highly appreciated, placing Spain first in this category.

Spain also earns a first-place ranking for its healthcare system, which expats find affordable, easily accessible, and high-quality. An American expatriate in Madrid is quoted in the report saying, “The quality of food, healthcare, transportation, and other environmental aspects are excellent.” The good travel options within the country are also mentioned, with the transportation system and travel opportunities ranking seventh worldwide. The report notes that one can easily get around Spain on foot or by bicycle.

Safety Is a Slight Issue

In four out of five subcategories of the Quality of Life Index, Spain appears in the top 10, leading two of them. Only the ratings in one subcategory are not very positive: safety. Here, Spain ranks 14th, with 87 percent of expatriates feeling safe in Spain. Seventy-seven percent feel they can freely express their opinions here. The result is pulled down by the aspect of political stability, with only about 57 percent of surveyed expats perceiving Spain’s political system as stable. However, the global value is similarly low at 56 percent. For comparison, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Denmark rank first, second, and third in terms of safety, while Germany is only in 34th place.

More on the topic

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Welcoming Culture, Finances, and Career in Spain

And how do other areas look for expatriates in Spain? According to the Expat Insider, settling in Spain seems easy, with three-quarters of expatriates feeling at home and welcomed locally. Forty-one percent even want to stay in the country permanently. However, there has been a slight decline in the friendliness of locals toward foreign newcomers, currently at 70 percent compared to 77 percent last year, likely due to protests against overtourism, though it remains high.

Also interesting: The (Un)friendliest Countries in the World from the Perspective of Expatriates

Spain does not fare well in the aspect of working abroad. In this category, the country ranks 27th worldwide, its worst result. Economic conditions, local job market, and personal career opportunities are not rated highly by expatriates, with only two out of five seeing their career prospects improve by moving to Spain. However, twice as many as the global average report being able to work permanently from home, and 67 percent of expats are satisfied with their work-life balance.

Regarding finances, incomes in Spain are relatively low, but expenses are not too high. Thus, Spain ranks in a good 11th place in terms of finances.

Countries with the Best Quality of Life Worldwide

Spain is the country with the best quality of life in Europe and worldwide. But it is not the only one that expatriates find particularly livable. The United Arab Emirates is also highly favored by expatriates, ranking second. Perhaps less surprisingly, the overall ranking winner, Panama, takes third place. Besides Spain, Austria, Luxembourg, the Czech Republic, and Portugal are four other European countries in the top 10 for quality of life.

These Are the Top 10 Countries with the Best Quality of Life

1. Spain
2. United Arab Emirates
3. Panama
4. Austria
5. Luxembourg
6. China
7. Qatar
8. Czech Republic
9. Japan
10. Portugal