Expat Survey: Portugal Tops 2022 List of Best Countries for Expats

Expats generously reported their opinions and shared their insights about living abroad in Expat Exchange's Best Places to Live in 2022 Survey. This was our second year of running this survey.

Given the fact that the world is still impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, it's particularly interesting to assess the quality of life as reported by people who are living outside of their home countries.

Without further adieu, here are the Top 10 Countries for expats, retirees and digital nomads in 2022:

1. Portugal

It's really no surprise that Portugal is the number one country recommended by expats. Expats have loved almost everything about Portugal for a long period of time. Its weather, culture, people, food, natural beauty and health system were praised by respondents. Additionally, expats praised how Portugal's government and the public handled COVID-19. Negative feedback about Portugal includes frustration with bureaucracy and, in normal times, hordes of tourists in many parts of the country during the summer months.

Portugal Survey Results: 95% of Expats in Portugal Love Living There

2. Ecuador

Another perennial favorite, expats love the weather and climate options in different locations around Ecuador. The cost of living is also favorable, as is its use of the U.S. dollar as its currency.

Ecuador Survey Results: More than 90% of Expats in Ecuador Rate It Highly

3. Spain

The culture, excellent and inexpensive food and wine, public transportation, history and architecture were cited as positive aspects of expat life in Spain. The slower pace of life was mentioned as a plus by some, minus by others. Some expats in Spain also complained about the weather in the winter.

Spain Survey Results: Almost 90% of Expats in Spain Enjoy Their Life Abroad

4. Thailand

Excellent food, lots of activities, friendly people, and cost of living were listed as "pros" for Thailand, while expats cited difficulty in forming real friendships and some air quality issues as "cons."

Thailand Survey Results: More Than 85% of Expats in Thailand Rate Experience Highly

5. Panama

The weather, access to the beach, the Panamanian people, ease of use of the U.S. dollar, and more were mentioned by expats who rated Panama highly. Some people in cities complained about sanitation, while others mention the bureaucracy and the time it takes to get things done as unfavorable aspects of living there.

Panama Survey Results: 85% of Expats in Panama Love Living There

6. United Kingdom

Given the recent history of how expats rate the U.K. in polling, we were pleasantly surprised to see Expats rate the country this highly. London's diversity, the green spaces of London suburbs, dining experiences, and easy access to Europe across the English Channel were among reasons cited for their happiness there. Cost of living, banking problems, narcotics and crime were "cons" mentioned by respondents.

UK Survey Results: Nearly 90% of Expats in the U.K. Report Loving It There

7. Italy

So many people want to travel to, explore and live in Italy. Some expats in our survey bemoaned the bureaucracy of Italy, difficulty with banking and other challenges, but still find that food, natural beauty, architecture, and more make their expat experience extremely satisfying.

Italy Survey Results: 85% of Expats in Italy Report Being Happy There

8. Colombia

Many people are still surprised to find out how popular a destination the South American nation, but the reality is that most expats and digital nomads have been flocking there for years. The variety of climates, cost of living, natural beauty and more were rated as huge pluses, while sanitation in cities, pollution, bad drivers, and the heat in certain places were cons.

Colombia Survey Results: 82% of Expats in Colombia Love Living There

9. Mexico

The weather in many places of Mexico is obviously a reason many expats choose it, although there are places expats described as "too hot." The food, cost of living, friendly people and vibrant, international expat community all were cited as reasons to choose Mexico as a destination.

Mexico Survey Results: More than 80% of Expats in Mexico are Happy There

10. Costa Rica

Costa Rica's natural beauty and an expat community comprised of people from all over the world are cited as reasons to choose this Central American country. Expats generally describe excellent services - though some areas not - and an abundance of "things to do." Some expats bemoan the slow pace but most accept that and learn to embrace it.

Costa Rica Survey Results: 80% of Expats in Costa Rica Love It

Expat Lifestyle

Here are some highlights about lifestyle-related responses from expatriates across the globe. Note that respondents were asked about the city or location in which they live, not the country at large.

On average, 70% of respondents across the globe siad that they were either Extremely Satisfied or Very Satisfied with the quality of their expatriate experience.

When asked about their entertainment options (movies, concerts, museums, etc.), 65% of expats, retirees and nomads reported that they were either Extremely Satisfied (28%) or Very Satisfied (37%).

As for local dining options, 71% indicated that they were either Extremely Satisfied (32%) or Very Satisfied (39%).

Survey respondents were also asked about Local Grocery Shopping options, and 78% of respondents said they were either Extremely Satisfied (41%) or Very Satisfied (37%), and 81% were either Extremely Satisfied (50%) or Very Satisfied (31%) with the local fresh food.

When asked about the quality of their local water, 75% of expats globally reported being either Extremely Satisfied (47%) or Very Satisfied (28%).

Overall, two-thirds of Expats (66%) reported being either Extremely Satisfied (25%) or Very Satisfied (42%) with their social life, and 65% said that they were either Extremely Satisfied (27%) or Very Satisfied (38%) with making friends locally.