Which country offers the most savings for New Zealand expats?

Portugal currently leads — roughly 26% 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 26% 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.

Top 10 by lifestyle-adjusted score

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

Portugal

62.8

Malaysia

61.2

United Arab Emirates

60.1

Estonia

60.1

Malta

58.9

Cyprus

58.5

Iceland

58.2

Spain

57.8

Canada

57.6

Thailand

56.1

#	Country	Score	CoL vs New Zealand	Rent vs New Zealand	HC	Safety
1	PortugalVisa	62.8	−26%	−35%	88	90	vs New Zealand →
2	MalaysiaVisa	61.2	−48%	−71%	78	74	vs New Zealand →
3	United Arab EmiratesVisa	60.1	−16%	+31%	82	88	vs New Zealand →
4	EstoniaVisa	60.1	−28%	−52%	78	84	vs New Zealand →
5	MaltaVisa	58.9	−11%	−28%	82	84	vs New Zealand →
6	CyprusVisa	58.5	−17%	−41%	78	82	vs New Zealand →
7	IcelandVisa	58.2	+18%	+17%	88	96	vs New Zealand →
8	SpainVisa	57.8	−23%	−38%	92	80	vs New Zealand →
9	CanadaVisa	57.6	−2%	+7%	84	80	vs New Zealand →
10	ThailandVisa	56.1	−47%	−68%	76	70	vs New Zealand →
11	HungaryVisa	55.9	−42%	−63%	72	78	vs New Zealand →
12	South KoreaVisa	55.5	−3%	−37%	90	84	vs New Zealand →
13	JapanVisa	55.4	−18%	−37%	92	95	vs New Zealand →
14	CroatiaVisa	55.3	−30%	−60%	74	82	vs New Zealand →
15	GreeceVisa	55.2	−27%	−64%	78	78	vs New Zealand →
16	LatviaVisa	54.4	−34%	−63%	70	78	vs New Zealand →
17	RomaniaVisa	53.9	−46%	−68%	66	70	vs New Zealand →
18	Slovenia	53.0	−26%	−52%	80	88	vs New Zealand →
19	Netherlands	52.2	−4%	+14%	90	88	vs New Zealand →
20	IndonesiaVisa	52.2	−52%	−77%	58	64	vs New Zealand →
21	Qatar	52.1	−11%	+31%	84	90	vs New Zealand →
22	South AfricaVisa	51.9	−46%	−67%	62	36	vs New Zealand →
23	Singapore	51.8	+16%	+100%	95	95	vs New Zealand →
24	Sweden	51.7	−8%	−32%	88	84	vs New Zealand →
25	Finland	51.6	−3%	−28%	86	90	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