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.
Top 10 by lifestyle-adjusted score
Higher = better cost arbitrage and lifestyle fit for Indian expats.
Malaysia50.7
Iceland48.0
Portugal47.7
United Arab Emirates45.6
Estonia45.4
Thailand45.3
Malta45.0
Canada44.8
Hungary44.1
Cyprus43.9
| # | Country | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  MalaysiaVisa | 50.7 | vs India → |
| 2 |  IcelandVisa | 48.0 | vs India → |
| 3 |  PortugalVisa | 47.7 | vs India → |
| 4 |  United Arab EmiratesVisa | 45.6 | vs India → |
| 5 |  EstoniaVisa | 45.4 | vs India → |
| 6 |  ThailandVisa | 45.3 | vs India → |
| 7 |  MaltaVisa | 45.0 | vs India → |
| 8 |  CanadaVisa | 44.8 | vs India → |
| 9 |  HungaryVisa | 44.1 | vs India → |
| 10 |  CyprusVisa | 43.9 | vs India → |
| 11 |  RomaniaVisa | 42.8 | vs India → |
| 12 |  South KoreaVisa | 42.6 | vs India → |
| 13 |  IndonesiaVisa | 42.5 | vs India → |
| 14 |  SpainVisa | 42.4 | vs India → |
| 15 |  Singapore | 41.3 | vs India → |
| 16 |  CroatiaVisa | 41.0 | vs India → |
| 17 |  LatviaVisa | 41.0 | vs India → |
| 18 |  South AfricaVisa | 40.9 | vs India → |
| 19 |  JapanVisa | 40.7 | vs India → |
| 20 |  GreeceVisa | 40.3 | vs India → |
| 21 |  SerbiaVisa | 39.4 | vs India → |
| 22 |  Netherlands | 39.2 | vs India → |
| 23 |  Norway | 39.1 | vs India → |
| 24 |  Denmark | 38.7 | vs India → |
| 25 |  Finland | 38.7 | 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.
For Australian expats
For American expats
For British expats
For German expats
For French expats
For Singaporean expats
For Japanese expats
For New Zealand expats
For South African expats