Get us in your inbox

Reykjavik, Iceland
Photograph: Shutterstock

Revealed: the safest countries for expats

It looks like Europe’s a pretty safe bet, as countries from the continent occupy six spots in the ranks

Liv Kelly
Written by
Liv Kelly
Advertising

It’s never been easier to move and work overseas. With the list of countries offering a digital nomad visa only growing, and work opportunities becoming ever more flexible, it really is the best time to up sticks and get a flavour of life abroad. 

That’s why William Russell, an international insurance provider, has researched the safest destinations in the world for expats. The company utilised the data available in the Global Peace Index, which evaluated the level of safety and security of societies across 23 factors. 

The report highlights that there are certain aspects that each of the safest destinations have in common, like high levels of education, social welfare and wealth. 

It turns out that Iceland is the safest country in the world for expats. It has a life expectancy of 83 years, thanks to low pollution levels, a public health system, generally low crime rates and, according to a 2019 study, is socially accepting of LGBTQ+ people. In 2020, the country has the lowest murder rate in Europe, and it’s notoriously recommended as a destination for solo travellers and families due to its reputation for safety.

Denmark is the second safest, and 95 percent of people agree there is a strong sense of community in the country. Plus, its transport infrastructure is excellent, which is another factor assessed by this report. 

The third safest? It’s Ireland, which is making huge steps in digital and environmental security, and also has a high life expectancy of 83 years. New Zealand and Austria round out the top five, and clearly Europe is a safe place to be. 

Here are the top 10 safest countries in the world for expats:

  1. Iceland
  2. Denmark
  3. Ireland
  4. New Zealand
  5. Austria
  6. Singapore
  7. Portugal
  8. Slovenia
  9. Japan
  10. Switzerland


Can you guess which city has been named the most sustainable in the world?

Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out Travel newsletter for all the latest travel news.

You may also like
You may also like
Advertising