April 10, 2026, 1:32 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
Where in the world do families have the best chances for good salaries, education, and quality of life? This has now been determined by the investment migration consultancy Henley & Partners in their Opportunity Index. Thirty-two countries were examined, resulting in a ranking of the top 15. TRAVEBOOK presents the results.
Thinking of starting fresh somewhere, in a country that promises better wages, better education, and perhaps even better weather—sounds appealing? Then take a look at the results of the current Henley Opportunity Index. Developed by Henley & Partners, a company specializing in residence and citizenship by investment consulting, it identifies the 15 countries with the best opportunities for emigrants. Germany is not included, but some popular vacation destinations for Germans are.
The Henley Opportunity Index 2026
According to the consulting firm Henley & Partners, the Henley Opportunity Index serves “as a strategic resource for internationally mobile families looking to expand opportunities for their children and future generations.” The company explains that this year’s Opportunity Index highlights how access to residence permits or citizenship in leading global economies influences career opportunities and life prospects. The value of an international degree ultimately depends on where graduates are allowed to live and work. The company states that research has shown “that more than 50 to 60 percent of global income differences are due to differences in national average income.” Accordingly, moving to a more powerful economy can significantly improve an individual’s income and quality of life. The index lists the respective paths to obtaining a residence permit or citizenship.
Methodology
For the index, data for 32 countries—”leading countries with residence and citizenship programs as well as the main source countries for such programs”—were compared between February and March 2026. The data comes from publicly accessible databases, including sources such as the World Bank, OECD, and other global rankings.
The index itself compares the 15 strongest countries. It evaluates earning potential, career development, and employment opportunities. Added to this are educational quality, economic mobility, and quality of life. Each area could be rated with up to 100 points.
“The ability to combine wealth creation with access to opportunities is a defining characteristic of the world’s most successful economies,” explains Henley & Partners. With the help of the index, families can “make more informed decisions regarding residence and citizenship—aligning educational paths with access to skilled labor markets and long-term life prospects.”
The ranking highlights the 15 countries worldwide where residency or citizenship rights can be most effectively secured through investments or merits, explains Henley & Partners.
Germany’s Neighbor Offers the Best Opportunities Worldwide
According to the Henley Opportunity Index, the country offering emigrants the best chances for professional success and quality of life is Switzerland. It ranks with a total of 86 percent. Henley states that the country combines “a stable economic environment, top-notch education, and excellent career prospects.” So, does everyone want to move to Switzerland?
For non-EU citizens, the Swiss Residence Program offers the opportunity to secure Swiss residency. Minimum contribution: CHF 250,000 in annual taxes. For Germans, moving to Switzerland is easier thanks to EU citizenship, as the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (FZA) applies between Switzerland and the European Union.
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Places 2 and 3 a Bit Further Away
If you’re looking to move further away, the second or third place in the ranking might offer an exciting new place to live. The second country with the best opportunities for emigrants is Singapore. The city-state scores 81 percent in the index. Due to its role as a strategic hub connecting “Asian capital flows, global trade networks, and high-growth innovation ecosystems,” Singapore offers “high earning potential and top-notch employment prospects,” according to Henley. As in Switzerland, earning potential in Singapore scores 100 out of 100 possible points, with the weakest point also being the availability of high-quality education.
It’s different for the third place in the ranking, Australia, where educational quality scores 80 points, matching the country’s overall score. Australia’s advantages, according to Henley & Partners, are “internationally renowned universities, strong research ecosystems, and exceptional quality of life.” Depending on the situation, moving to Australia for Germans is not always straightforward. However, for highly skilled professionals, the path to a permanent residence permit is uncomplicated, the consulting firm explains.
These Countries Offer the Best Opportunities for Professional Success and a High Quality of Life
The following list shows the 15 countries with the “best residence and citizenship programs for access to the world’s best opportunities,” according to Henley & Partners.
- Switzerland (86 percent)
- Singapore (81 percent)
- Australia (80 percent)
- United Kingdom (79 percent)
- United States of America, USA (79 percent)
- Canada (78 percent)
- Austria (69 percent)
- United Arab Emirates, UAE (68 percent)
- New Zealand (67 percent)
- Hong Kong (65 percent)
- Italy (65 percent)
- Latvia (62 percent)
- Malta (62 percent)
- Portugal (61 percent)
- Greece (59 percent)