Tengrinews.kz - Relocating for work can come with numerous challenges, from bureaucracy and language barriers to finding housing. Which countries make it easier for foreign professionals to settle in, and where is patience most needed? Deutsche Welle shared their insights.
Analysts from InterNations, the world’s largest expat community, have been conducting regular surveys for over a decade. Their Expat Essentials Index ranks countries based on responses from at least 50 participants per nation, covering 53 countries in the latest list.
The ranking evaluates four key factors: administrative processes, including obtaining visas and dealing with local officials; housing affordability and availability; access to high-speed internet and online services; and the ease of managing without the local language.
Participants rated each category on a scale of 1 ("very bad") to 7 ("excellent"). So, which countries make it easier to resolve these relocation issues?
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) leads the ranking, securing first place in both "language" and "administrative processes." Most expats in the UAE noted minimal challenges due to language barriers and praised the straightforward visa and bureaucratic processes. Over 60% highlighted seamless access to online services, and housing availability also received positive feedback, though the UAE ranks 17th for affordability.
"Bahrain, which ranks second, offers a similar experience. Expats appreciated the ease of resolving bureaucratic matters online and the lack of language barriers. Bahrain ranks 15th for housing affordability," the report states.
Oman takes third place. Expats noted how easy it is to settle in without knowing the local language, with only minor challenges related to visas and bureaucracy. About one-third of respondents described housing prices as "very good," and Oman ranks fourth overall for housing availability.
The United States, a popular relocation destination, ranks 14th. While it excels in language and digitalization (top 10), finding housing (33rd) and dealing with bureaucracy (16th) pose challenges.
"What about Western Europe? According to InterNations, the easiest countries for expats to settle in include Spain (18th), the Netherlands (19th), Belgium (21st), Luxembourg (23rd), the United Kingdom (26th), Sweden (27th), Denmark (28th), Switzerland (30th), Finland (33rd), and Norway (34th)," the report reads.
Spain stands out for its high-speed internet and digital services, while Luxembourg and the Netherlands shine in resolving administrative issues, ranking third and fifth overall in that category. Sweden and the UK are among the easiest for navigating language barriers, while affordable housing is most accessible in Poland (23rd) and Spain (24th).
Earlier, The New York Post named the countries that are ready to pay up to $90,000 (about 45 million tenge) to those who want to move there right now.
