Best Countries for British Expats (2026)
With a high cost of living at home and the loss of EU free-movement, Brits are increasingly looking south to Portugal, Spain, and Asia.
Updated March 2026
Key takeaway
Portugal ranks #1 for British expats — about 23% cheaper than United Kingdom on cost of living and 46% cheaper on rent.
Score blends cost arbitrage, a healthcare proxy (88/100), safety (90/100), visa access, and English fluency.
Top 10 by lifestyle-adjusted score
Higher = better cost arbitrage and lifestyle fit for British expats.
Portugal62.5
Malaysia61.0
Estonia59.8
United Arab Emirates59.7
Malta58.4
Cyprus58.1
Iceland57.6
Spain57.4
Canada57.1
Thailand55.8
What we measured
- Cost arbitrage — how much cheaper rent and overall cost of living are vs United Kingdom.
- Healthcare proxy (0–100) — blended outcome data, infrastructure, and resident satisfaction.
- Safety proxy (0–100) — petty + violent crime + perceived nighttime safety.
- Visa access — whether the destination offers a digital-nomad or long-stay visa accessible to British citizens.
- English fluency — day-to-day usability for new arrivals before learning the local language.
For Australian expats
For American expats
For German expats
For French expats
For Indian expats
For Singaporean expats
For Japanese expats
For New Zealand expats
For South African expats