Iceland has claimed the top spot as the world's most welcoming destination for newcomers in 2026, earning an impressive score of 8.94 out of 10.
The Nordic nation famous for the Northern Lights beat tough competition to take first place in the global rankings.
Luxembourg came in second with a score of 8.69, while New Zealand secured third position with 8.57.
Iceland offers one of the best environments anywhere for expat integration, with excellent employment prospects and consistently positive experiences for those who make the move.
Iceland has been named the most welcoming country for British expats to move to
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The country's high expat employment rate of 84.2 per cent played a huge role in its success.
Top 10 most welcoming countries for expats
- Iceland – 8.94
- Luxembourg – 8.69
- New Zealand – 8.57
- Australia – 8.54
- Switzerland – 8.36
- Ireland – 7.89
- Colombia – 7.71
- Czech Republic – 7.62
- Portugal – 7.47
- Austria – 7.4
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The rankings were put together by international health insurance specialists William Russell, who examined some of the friendliest nations and cities across the globe for expats this year.
Its research looked at several key factors to determine how welcoming each country truly is. Foreign-born employment rates were a key consideration, indicating how easily newcomers can find work upon arrival.
The study also factored in migrant population percentages, which can indicate how accustomed a nation is to welcoming people from abroad.
Visa openness scores rounded out the methodology, measuring how accessible each country is for international arrivals looking to settle.
New Zealand rounded out the top three
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For something closer to home, Ireland made the list
| GETTYPerhaps surprisingly, some hugely popular travel destinations didn't fare nearly as well in the rankings.
Japan and South Korea, for instance, came in at 37th and 34th, respectively, showing that a country's appeal as a holiday spot doesn't necessarily mean it's easy to settle there long-term.
Director at William Russell, William Cooper, said: "One of the biggest mistakes expats make is assuming that popular countries guarantee an easy transition.
"In reality, the first few months are when most challenges arise, such as navigating healthcare systems and securing a stable income. Preparing for those early stages is often more important than the choice of destination."
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