Which country offers the most savings for New Zealand expats?

Portugal currently leads — roughly 34% lower cost of living than New Zealand, with a healthcare proxy of 88/100.

Do New Zealand citizens need a visa?

Most destinations on this list offer a digital nomad, retirement, or long-stay visa accessible to New Zealand passport holders. Confirm specifics before relocating.

Will I still owe tax in New Zealand?

Tax residency rules in New Zealand typically depend on physical presence and ties — consult a cross-border adviser before relocating.

Best Countries for New Zealand Expats (2026)

Kiwis enjoy easy mobility into Australia and the UK, plus nomad-friendly access across Southeast Asia.

Updated March 2026

Key takeaway

Portugal ranks #1 for New Zealand expats — about 34% cheaper than New Zealand on cost of living and 35% cheaper on rent.

Score blends cost arbitrage, a healthcare proxy (88/100), safety (90/100), visa access, and English fluency.

City-level costs inside Portugal vary a lot. Compare cities with Pro →

Top 10 by lifestyle-adjusted score

Higher = better cost arbitrage and lifestyle fit for New Zealand expats.

Portugal

63.9

Malaysia

63.3

Malta

61.3

United Arab Emirates

61.0

Cyprus

60.1

Estonia

59.6

South Korea

58.8

Spain

58.6

Thailand

58.2

Iceland

57.5

#	Country	Score	CoL vs New Zealand	Rent vs New Zealand	HC	Safety
1	PortugalVisa	63.9	−34%	−35%	88	90	vs New Zealand →
2	MalaysiaVisa	63.3	−65%	−71%	78	74	vs New Zealand →
3	MaltaVisa	61.3	−31%	−28%	82	84	vs New Zealand →
4	United Arab EmiratesVisa	61.0	−23%	+31%	82	88	vs New Zealand →
5	CyprusVisa	60.1	−30%	−41%	78	82	vs New Zealand →
6	EstoniaVisa	59.6	−23%	−52%	78	84	vs New Zealand →
7	South KoreaVisa	58.8	−30%	−37%	90	84	vs New Zealand →
8	SpainVisa	58.6	−30%	−38%	92	80	vs New Zealand →
9	ThailandVisa	58.2	−64%	−68%	76	70	vs New Zealand →
10	IcelandVisa	57.5	+24%	+17%	88	96	vs New Zealand →
11	CanadaVisa	57.3	+0%	+7%	84	80	vs New Zealand →
12	CroatiaVisa	56.8	−42%	−60%	74	82	vs New Zealand →
13	JapanVisa	56.6	−28%	−37%	92	95	vs New Zealand →
14	GreeceVisa	56.1	−34%	−64%	78	78	vs New Zealand →
15	HungaryVisa	56.0	−43%	−63%	72	78	vs New Zealand →
16	Singapore	55.5	−14%	+100%	95	95	vs New Zealand →
17	LatviaVisa	54.7	−36%	−63%	70	78	vs New Zealand →
18	RomaniaVisa	54.5	−51%	−68%	66	70	vs New Zealand →
19	IndonesiaVisa	53.8	−65%	−77%	58	64	vs New Zealand →
20	Slovenia	53.7	−32%	−52%	80	88	vs New Zealand →
21	Netherlands	53.2	−12%	+14%	90	88	vs New Zealand →
22	Bahrain	52.9	−45%	−45%	74	80	vs New Zealand →
23	Qatar	52.9	−17%	+31%	84	90	vs New Zealand →
24	South AfricaVisa	52.9	−54%	−67%	62	36	vs New Zealand →
25	GeorgiaVisa	52.5	−56%	−67%	60	60	vs New Zealand →

What we measured

Cost arbitrage — how much cheaper rent and overall cost of living are vs New Zealand.
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 New Zealand citizens.
English fluency — day-to-day usability for new arrivals before learning the local language.

Top 10 by lifestyle-adjusted score

What we measured

Other origins