Best Countries for Indian Expats (2026)
For Indians earning globally, the UAE, Singapore, and Canada balance proximity, taxation, and long-term residency pathways.
Updated March 2026
Key takeaway
Malaysia ranks #1 for Indian expats — about 0% cheaper than India on cost of living and 0% cheaper on rent.
Score blends cost arbitrage, a healthcare proxy (78/100), safety (74/100), visa access, and English fluency.
City-level costs inside Malaysia vary a lot. Compare cities with Pro →
Top 10 by lifestyle-adjusted score
Higher = better cost arbitrage and lifestyle fit for Indian expats.
Malaysia
51.0
Iceland
48.0
Portugal
47.1
Afghanistan
46.0
Cuba
46.0
Iran
46.0
North Korea
46.0
South Sudan
46.0
Syria
46.0
Yemen
46.0
| # | Country | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MalaysiaVisa | 51.0 | vs India → |
| 2 | IcelandVisa | 48.0 | vs India → |
| 3 | PortugalVisa | 47.1 | vs India → |
| 4 | Afghanistan | 46.0 | vs India → |
| 5 | Cuba | 46.0 | vs India → |
| 6 | Iran | 46.0 | vs India → |
| 7 | North Korea | 46.0 | vs India → |
| 8 | South Sudan | 46.0 | vs India → |
| 9 | Syria | 46.0 | vs India → |
| 10 | Yemen | 46.0 | vs India → |
| 11 | United Arab EmiratesVisa | 45.6 | vs India → |
| 12 | ThailandVisa | 45.5 | vs India → |
| 13 | MaltaVisa | 45.0 | vs India → |
| 14 | CanadaVisa | 44.8 | vs India → |
| 15 | EstoniaVisa | 44.2 | vs India → |
| 16 | CyprusVisa | 43.9 | vs India → |
| 17 | South KoreaVisa | 42.6 | vs India → |
| 18 | SpainVisa | 42.4 | vs India → |
| 19 | IndonesiaVisa | 41.5 | vs India → |
| 20 | Singapore | 41.3 | vs India → |
| 21 | JapanVisa | 40.7 | vs India → |
| 22 | GreeceVisa | 39.3 | vs India → |
| 23 | Netherlands | 39.2 | vs India → |
| 24 | CroatiaVisa | 39.1 | vs India → |
| 25 | Norway | 39.1 | vs India → |
What we measured
- Cost arbitrage — how much cheaper rent and overall cost of living are vs India.
- 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 Indian citizens.
- English fluency — day-to-day usability for new arrivals before learning the local language.