The world’s best countries to live in for 2026 include six European destinations, according to the Nomad Lifestyle Index, which ranks countries and territories based on factors such as safety, quality of life, taxation, climate and access to residency.
Monaco took first place in the ranking, followed by Andorra and the United Arab Emirates. The results offer a comparison for people considering a move abroad, particularly those weighing lifestyle, personal security, infrastructure and the practical requirements of establishing legal residence in another country.
Produced by Nomad Capitalist, the Nomad Lifestyle Index assessed 63 destinations across five categories: nature and climate, tax, residence and access, safety and freedom, and quality of life and infrastructure. Each destination received a score out of 100 for every category, which contributed to its overall position.
The assessment considered a range of factors, including air quality, exposure to extreme weather, pathways to legal residence and citizenship, peace and security, life expectancy, living costs and broadband speeds. Rather than focusing exclusively on economic opportunities or the cost of living, the index combines practical relocation considerations with environmental conditions and everyday living standards.
Monaco secured the top position with an overall score of 73.89, narrowly ahead of Andorra at 73.68. The United Arab Emirates ranked third with 73.15. The difference between the first and third positions was just 0.74 points, indicating how closely the leading destinations performed under the index’s scoring system.
Monaco’s strongest result came in quality of life and infrastructure, where it received a perfect score of 100. The principality also performed well in safety and freedom, helping it secure the highest overall position despite competition from destinations with different advantages in taxation, climate and residency access.
Andorra placed second with a score of 73.68 and led the safety and freedom category. Located in the Pyrenees between France and Spain, the small European country also received the fourth-highest nature score and recorded the cleanest air among the European destinations included in the index.
However, Andorra’s route to citizenship affected its overall result. According to the ranking, applicants generally need 20 years of residence to qualify for citizenship, alongside language and history requirements. This distinction highlights an important consideration for prospective residents: a country can offer an attractive living environment without necessarily providing a quick path to citizenship.
The United Arab Emirates took third place, making it one of the three highest-ranked destinations outside Europe and the strongest non-European performer among the top three. Its overall score of 73.15 placed it close behind Andorra, although the index’s combined assessment means the final ranking reflects performance across several categories rather than any single advantage.
Malta ranked fourth with a score of 72.11. The Mediterranean island nation received favourable assessments for its passport strength and route to naturalisation, which the index identifies as possible within five years under the relevant conditions. Malta also performed well in the nature category, although its taxation results and quality of life and infrastructure score limited its overall standing.
Portugal followed in fifth place, scoring 70.09. The country remains a prominent destination for international movers, including remote workers and digital nomads, and performed strongly in safety and freedom, residence and access, and taxation.
Its nature score, however, was a weaker area in the assessment. Exposure to extreme weather risks associated with climate change affected Portugal’s performance, illustrating how environmental factors can influence a country’s overall ranking even when it performs well in other areas.
Cyprus secured sixth place with a score of 68.42. It ranked second in the residence and access category, supported by its passport assessment and a reported seven-year route to naturalisation. However, its results for quality of life and infrastructure, together with its air quality score, prevented it from climbing higher.
Singapore ranked seventh with 67.12 points, making it the second Asian destination in the top 10 after the United Arab Emirates’ third-place finish outside Europe. The Cayman Islands came eighth with 66.50, followed closely by New Zealand in ninth place with 66.43.
Switzerland completed the top 10, earning 65.44 points. Its strong performance in safety and freedom helped secure its position among the leading destinations, adding another European country to a ranking dominated by the continent.
Six of the 10 highest-ranked destinations are in Europe: Monaco, Andorra, Malta, Portugal, Cyprus and Switzerland. Their presence reflects the combination of factors considered by the index, although the results do not mean that every destination will be equally suitable for every prospective resident.
For anyone considering a move abroad, the ranking provides a starting point rather than a definitive answer. Tax obligations, residence permits, citizenship rules, housing costs and access to employment can differ significantly between destinations. Eligibility requirements may also depend on nationality, income, family circumstances and the type of residence permission sought.
The index’s results therefore offer a broad comparison of living conditions and relocation considerations, but prospective movers should examine the rules and costs that apply to their individual circumstances before deciding where to settle.
