Estonia beat Singapore, Malaysia and Portugal in an index ranking 192 countries on economic, social and security factors; what put it in first place, and where did Israel rank?
Dreaming of a new life abroad? A new global ranking that assessed 192 countries and territories across 24 indicators — from the cost of living and taxation to health care, security and settlement options — has named a small and somewhat surprising European destination the world’s best country for relocation in 2026. Estonia narrowly claimed the top spot ahead of Singapore, followed by Malaysia and Portugal. So what made the Baltic nation the leading choice, and where did Israel rank?
The 2026 Global Relocation Index was published by consulting firm Rumavi. It compares countries using 24 indicators divided into four main categories: finance and taxation, quality of life and health, safety and stability, and settlement and employment opportunities.
The criteria included the cost of living, housing prices, the quality and accessibility of health care, air quality, climate, digital infrastructure, personal safety, political stability, visa options, pathways to permanent residency, education and the business environment.
Estonia received a score of 72.8 points, edging out Singapore, which scored 72.6, by just two-tenths of a point. The Baltic country also ranked first in the world for families, second for entrepreneurs, fifth for tax-friendliness and sixth for digital nomads.Among Estonia’s most notable strengths were its banking and currency infrastructure, which received a score of 98.9, and its business opportunities, with a score of 96. Protections for the property rights of noncitizen buyers also received a particularly high score of 90.
One factor contributing to Estonia’s position is its long-standing investment in digital services. It was among the first countries in Europe to introduce a digital nomad visa and operates the e-Residency program, which allows entrepreneurs from around the world to establish and manage a company in the European Union online. The program does not, however, grant residency rights or citizenship.
Even the top-ranked country has drawbacks. Estonia received a particularly low score of 20.1 for climate comfort because of its cold, dark winters and a score of only 62 for cost of living. Its position at the top was therefore not driven by pleasant weather or low prices, but by a combination of stability, security, a developed business environment and accessible public and digital services.
