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Top 5 Countries International Living Readers Want to Move to in 2026

Top 7 Countries IL Readers Are Planning to Move to Next
Where IL readers are planning to move next—and what’s drawing them there.|©iStock/Qarlos Qastilla

Each year, we survey International Living readers to find out where they'd most like to live overseas.

Their answers tell us more than which countries are popular. They reveal what people want from the next stage of their lives: lower living costs, reliable healthcare, easier travel, stronger communities, and more time to enjoy the day.

This year, the top five countries differ in climate, culture, and distance from the U.S. Yet each offers a practical route to the life readers picture overseas—whether that's a walkable town in Europe, a home near the beach, or a cooler mountain community surrounded by nature.

This isn't a ranking of the world's best retirement destinations (you can find that here); it's a look at where readers themselves are most curious to explore right now. So what's the draw? Here's a closer look at the top five.

1. Portugal

Golden beaches, fresh seafood, and affordable life draw IL readers to Portugal.
Golden beaches, fresh seafood, and affordable life draw IL readers to Portugal.|©iStock/Nisangha

It's no surprise that Portugal once again claimed the No. 1 spot in our survey. Despite becoming more expensive over the past decade, it continues to capture the imagination of Americans looking for a better life overseas.

Part of Portugal's appeal is its remarkable variety. You can settle in a vibrant city like Lisbon or Porto, enjoy laid-back coastal living in the Algarve, or choose a quieter pace in central Portugal or along the Silver Coast. Each region has its own character, but all combine the qualities readers consistently look for: excellent healthcare, modern infrastructure, a mild climate, and a relaxed way of life.

Portugal also makes the transition overseas feel surprisingly straightforward. It's one of Europe's safest countries, English is widely spoken in many areas, and getting around is easy thanks to an extensive road and rail network. Whether you're spending the morning browsing a local market, enjoying fresh seafood by the Atlantic, or exploring centuries-old towns, everyday life tends to unfold at a gentler pace than many Americans are used to.

While housing costs have risen in some of the most popular locations, Portugal still offers good value compared with many parts of the U.S., especially if you're willing to look beyond Lisbon and the Algarve. For many readers, it's that balance of affordability, quality of life, and ease of settling in that keeps Portugal firmly at the top of their wish list.

Many couples find they can live comfortably here for around $2,500 to $3,000 a month, depending on location and lifestyle.

2. Costa Rica

Pura Vida living in lush jungles and beach towns keeps Costa Rica in demand.
Pura Vida living in lush jungles and beach towns keeps Costa Rica in demand.|©iStock/Janusz Kubow

Costa Rica has been one of IL readers' favorite destinations for decades, and this year it earned the No. 2 spot in our survey. For many, its appeal goes beyond affordability. It's about embracing a healthier, more active way of life.

The country's famous pura vida philosophy, which roughly translates to "the good life", is more than a slogan. It reflects a culture that values community, time outdoors, and enjoying life's simple pleasures. Whether it's lingering over coffee with neighbors, shopping at a local farmers' market, or spending the afternoon at the beach, daily life often feels less hurried than it does in the U.S.

Costa Rica also offers plenty of choice. Some expats settle in the Central Valley for its spring-like climate and easy access to healthcare, while others head to Guanacaste for Pacific beaches or the Southern Zone for lush scenery and a slower pace. Wherever they land, readers are drawn to the country's natural beauty, political stability, and well-established expat communities.

Although Costa Rica isn't the bargain it once was, it still offers excellent value, particularly away from the most popular beach towns. Combined with quality private healthcare and a culture centered on wellness and the outdoors, it's easy to see why so many readers continue to put Costa Rica near the top of their list.

A couple can enjoy a simple but comfortable lifestyle for around $2,500 to $3,200 per month, especially if they’re flexible about location.

3. Italy

Italy’s countryside delivers romance, history, and affordable village life.
Italy’s countryside delivers romance, history, and affordable village life.|©iStock/e55evu

For many Americans, Italy has long represented the dream of living overseas—a place where history, culture, and everyday life come together in a way that's hard to find anywhere else.

But today's expats are looking beyond Rome, Florence, and Venice. Regions like Puglia, Abruzzo, Le Marche, Sicily, and Basilicata are attracting growing attention for their lower living costs, welcoming communities, and slower pace of life. These are places where you can enjoy Italy's celebrated food, café culture, and beautiful landscapes without paying big-city prices.

Wherever you settle, daily life in Italy encourages you to slow down and enjoy the moment. Weekly markets fill town squares, meals are meant to be shared, and many communities remain wonderfully walkable. It's an appeal that goes beyond a new address—readers are drawn to a different rhythm of life altogether.

Italy also offers more value than many people expect. While sought-after destinations like Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast command premium prices, there are countless towns and smaller cities where housing and everyday expenses are considerably lower. Combined with excellent regional healthcare, reliable public transportation, and endless opportunities to explore, Italy continues to be one of the countries readers dream about calling home.

In smaller towns or countryside regions like Abruzzo, Puglia, or Le Marche, a couple can live comfortably on $2,200 a month (or less), depending on their lifestyle.

4. Greece

Sunshine, seaside cafés, and simple pleasures define Greek living.
Sunshine, seaside cafés, and simple pleasures define Greek living.|©iStock/pkazmierczak

Greece climbed to fourth place, reflecting a growing appreciation for a country that offers many of the same qualities readers love about southern Europe—often at a lower cost. It's no coincidence that Greece was selected as the best place to retire in the 2026 Annual Global Retirement Index.

While Greece is famous for iconic islands like Santorini and Mykonos, many expats are discovering that some of the country's best opportunities lie elsewhere. Athens has emerged as one of Europe's most exciting capital cities, Thessaloniki combines seaside living with a vibrant food scene, and regions like the Peloponnese and Crete offer a relaxed Mediterranean pace without the crowds or price tags of more tourist-heavy destinations.

Life in Greece revolves around simple pleasures: lingering over lunch at a neighborhood taverna, shopping at local markets, and spending time outdoors with family and friends. Add a warm climate, miles of coastline, and a rich cultural heritage, and it's easy to understand why more readers are putting Greece on their shortlist.

A couple living in a small city or coastal town can expect to spend about $1,900 to $2,000 per month, covering everything from rent and groceries to dining out and local transport.

5. Panama

With warm weather and expat perks, Panama is a practical tropical choice.
With warm weather and expat perks, Panama is a practical tropical choice.|©iStock/Judith Engbers

Few countries make the transition to life overseas feel as straightforward.

For Americans, there's an immediate sense of familiarity. The U.S. dollar is the national currency, modern shopping centers and reliable infrastructure are part of everyday life, and direct flights make it easy to stay connected with family back home. Panama also offers a range of residency options, including the well-known Pensionado Program, which has long attracted retirees from around the world.

Just as importantly, Panama offers plenty of choice in how you live. Some are drawn to the energy of Panama City, where gleaming skyscrapers sit alongside the historic Casco Viejo district. Others prefer the spring-like climate of Boquete or the laid-back beach communities along the Pacific coast. No matter where you land, you'll find quality healthcare, modern conveniences, and established expat communities that make settling in easier.

Panama is a country where you can enjoy tropical living without giving up many of the comforts and conveniences you're used to—one reason it continues to rank among the destinations people are most excited to explore.

A couple can expect to live well for around $2,000 to $3,000 per month, whether they choose the cooler highlands of Boquete, a beachfront rental near Coronado, or a modern condo in Panama City.

The Rest of the Top 10

From Andalusia to Galicia, Spain offers charm, culture, and great healthcare.
From Andalusia to Galicia, Spain offers charm, culture, and great healthcare.|©iStock/margouillatphotos

While these five countries attracted the most interest in this year's survey, readers also showed strong enthusiasm for several other destinations that continue to offer an appealing mix of value, culture, and opportunity.

Spain came in sixth, thanks to its outstanding healthcare, Mediterranean climate, and exceptional quality of life. From the beaches of the Costa Blanca to vibrant cities like Valencia and Málaga, Spain continues to appeal to those looking for a relaxed pace without sacrificing modern conveniences.

France ranked seventh. While Paris captures the imagination, many readers are drawn to regions like the Dordogne, Occitanie, and Brittany, where they can enjoy excellent healthcare, bustling local markets, and a slower pace of life at a lower cost than many people expect.

Ireland claimed the eighth spot, reflecting the strong ties many Americans have to the country. For some, it's the chance to reconnect with their heritage or even explore citizenship through ancestry. For others, the appeal lies in Ireland's English-speaking environment, welcoming communities, and beautiful countryside.

Mexico finished ninth, offering perhaps the widest variety of settings on the list. Whether readers are drawn to colonial cities like San Miguel de Allende, lakeside communities around Chapala, or the country's Pacific and Caribbean coasts, Mexico remains popular for its affordability, quality healthcare, and close proximity to the U.S.

Rounding out the top 10 is Malta, a small Mediterranean island nation that continues to attract those looking for an easy introduction to Europe. English is an official language, healthcare is excellent, and its compact size makes it easy to explore while serving as a gateway to the rest of the continent.

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What These Results Tell Us

While Portugal claimed the top spot in this year's survey, the bigger story isn't which country finished first. It's what these rankings reveal about what people are looking for in an overseas destination. Each of the top five offers something different.

Portugal combines safety, excellent healthcare, and a relaxed European pace. Costa Rica is attractive for its natural beauty and pura vida philosophy. Italy appeals through culture, cuisine, and timeless towns. Greece offers an affordable gateway to the Mediterranean. And Panama stands out for making the transition overseas feel easy and familiar. Yet despite their differences, these destinations have a lot in common.

They all offer the chance to slow down, spend more time outdoors, become part of a community, and enjoy a better quality of life.

With so many appealing options, the hardest part often isn't deciding whether to move abroad—it's deciding where. That's why we also publish our own trusted ranking of the world's best places to retire each year, so you can see which countries truly deliver on affordability, healthcare, and lifestyle right now. Take a look at our full 2026 list here.

Keep planning, stay curious, and know you're never on your own. International Living is here to help you take each step with confidence, inspiration, and a community of people who've done it before.

 

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