Choosing a country to live in involves more than job opportunities, safety and quality of life. For people moving abroad, feeling welcome, adapting to local culture and making friends can be just as important.
According to the Most Welcoming Countries 2026 ranking published by Visual Capitalist, Mexico is the world’s top destination for expats looking to settle in and build a social life. Panama and Thailand follow, while several European countries rank lower for ease of settling in.
The ranking is based on InterNations’ Expat Insider 2026 survey, which compares expats’ experiences across 31 countries. It focuses on cultural welcome, local friendliness and the ability to make friends. <Cite refs={[“turn902133search0″,”turn902133search9”]}/>
Top 10 Most Welcoming Countries in 2026
The 2026 Ease of Settling In Index places the following countries at the top:
- Mexico
- Panama
- Thailand
- Brazil
- United Arab Emirates
- Spain
- Portugal
- Ireland
- United States
- South Africa
Mexico leads the overall ranking and also takes first place in all three categories: Culture & Welcome, Local Friendliness and Finding Friends. <Cite refs={[“turn902133search0″,”turn902133search9”]}/>
Mexico Ranks as the Most Welcoming Country for Expats
Mexico secured the number-one position in the 2026 ranking, with expats reporting positive experiences adapting to local culture and forming social connections.
InterNations’ survey data indicates that 87% of respondents in Mexico felt welcome, compared with 64% globally. Around 84% said they felt at home in the country, against a global average of 61%.
Mexico also performed strongly in making friends. Approximately 73% of expats said they found it easy to make local friends, while 75% were satisfied with their social life. These results help explain why Mexico topped the index. <Cite refs={[“turn902133search9”]}/>
Panama and Thailand Also Rank Highly
Panama placed second overall, followed by Thailand in third position.
Panama performed particularly well in helping expats build friendships, ranking second in the Finding Friends category. Thailand ranked second for Local Friendliness, showing strong results in how newcomers perceive the local population.
Brazil ranked fourth overall and third for making friends. Together, Mexico, Panama and Brazil placed three Latin American countries in the top four positions. <Cite refs={[“turn902133search0”]}/>
Spain and Portugal Lead Southern Europe
Spain and Portugal were among the highest-ranked European destinations, placing sixth and seventh overall.
Both countries performed well across the index’s categories, including cultural welcome and local friendliness. Their results suggest that expats may find it easier to build a social life in these destinations than in several other European countries included in the survey.
Ireland also performed strongly, ranking eighth overall. <Cite refs={[“turn902133search0”]}/>
Wealthy European Countries Rank Lower
The ranking shows that a country’s economic strength or quality of life does not automatically mean expats will find it easy to settle in.
Germany ranked 28th, Austria 29th, Sweden 30th and Norway 31st. Denmark, Switzerland and the Netherlands also placed in the bottom 10.
These results reflect expats’ reported experiences with social integration and local connections. They do not mean these countries perform poorly in other areas such as healthcare, safety, infrastructure or living standards. <Cite refs={[“turn902133search0”]}/>
Local Friendliness Does Not Always Mean Easy Friendships
One important finding from the 2026 ranking is the difference between feeling that local people are friendly and actually building lasting friendships.
Canada ranked 14th for Local Friendliness but 22nd for Finding Friends. Ireland ranked eighth for both Culture & Welcome and Local Friendliness, but 13th for Finding Friends.
South Africa showed the opposite pattern. It ranked 10th overall but fifth in the Finding Friends category, making social connections one of its strongest areas. <Cite refs={[“turn902133search0”]}/>
How Were the Most Welcoming Countries Ranked?
The ranking is based on the Ease of Settling In Index from InterNations’ Expat Insider 2026 survey.
The index combines three main categories:
- Culture & Welcome: How welcome expats feel and how easily they adapt to the local culture.
- Local Friendliness: How expats perceive local residents and their attitude toward foreign residents.
- Finding Friends: How easily expats make local friends, build a support network and feel satisfied with their social life.
A country needed at least 50 survey responses to be included. In 2026, 31 destinations met that requirement.
The rankings represent expats’ reported experiences and should be viewed as a guide to settling in—not a definitive judgment about every resident or every newcomer’s experience. <Cite refs={[“turn902133search9″,”turn902133search0”]}/>
What the 2026 Ranking Means for People Moving Abroad
For people planning to relocate, the results highlight the importance of social integration alongside practical considerations such as employment, housing, healthcare and immigration rules.
Countries that rank highly may offer expats a smoother experience when adapting to a new culture and building friendships. However, personal experiences can differ depending on language skills, location, work environment and individual circumstances.
Before moving abroad, prospective expats should consider the full picture, including visa requirements, cost of living, career opportunities and access to essential services.
Conclusion
The most welcoming countries in 2026 ranking places Mexico at the top, followed by Panama and Thailand. Brazil, the United Arab Emirates, Spain and Portugal also feature among the leading destinations for expats.
The survey highlights how important local friendliness, cultural adjustment and social connections are when building a life in another country. It also shows that high living standards do not always translate into an easy social transition.
For people considering a move abroad, the ranking offers useful insight into where expats report feeling more at home—but personal research remains essential before making a relocation decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most welcoming country in 2026?
Mexico ranks first in the 2026 Ease of Settling In Index for expats, according to InterNations’ Expat Insider survey.
Which countries rank second and third?
Panama ranks second, while Thailand takes third place.
Which European countries are among the most welcoming?
Spain ranks sixth, Portugal seventh and Ireland eighth in the overall ranking.
Which countries rank lowest for expats settling in?
Norway ranks last, followed by Sweden, Austria and Germany.
What does the ranking measure?
It measures expats’ experiences with cultural welcome, local friendliness and making friends—not overall quality of life or tourism appeal.
Who conducted the survey?
The ranking uses data from InterNations’ Expat Insider 2026 survey and was visualized by Visual Capitalist.
