Best Countries to Move to in 2026
- canada
- germany
- portugal
- estonia
In 2026, people move abroad for the same reasons as before: work, education, safety, quality of life, and social guarantees. But the situation is changing - some countries are tightening immigration rules, while others are actively attracting specialists.
Below are 4 countries that are considered among the most interesting for relocation in 2026: Canada, Germany, Portugal, Estonia.
1. Canada
Immigration friendly
Canada remains one of the most open countries for immigration. The government actively attracts skilled professionals through Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs, and work visas. In 2025, the country accepted more than 100,000 immigrants in just one quarter, and the flow continues to grow. (Pesa)
Main immigrant groups:
- India
- China
- Philippines
- European countries
- Ukraine
Useful links:
Labor market
Canada's labor market in 2025-2026 remains stable and is growing by about 2% per year. Main sectors:
- IT and AI
- healthcare
- engineering
- green energy
- construction
- finance (en_AU)
Job search websites:
Education
Leading universities:
- University of Toronto
- McGill University
- University of British Columbia
- University of Waterloo
Canada is among the top countries for education quality and actively attracts international students. (Shakil Edu)
Healthcare
- Public healthcare system
- Insurance for immigrants: $600-1200 per year
- High positions in healthcare rankings
Freedom of speech and social standards
Canada consistently ranks among the top countries for:
- high standard of living
- high political freedom
- strong social protection (Become A Canadian)
Conclusion: one of the best countries for long-term immigration.
2. Germany
Immigration friendly
Germany actively attracts skilled professionals through:
- EU Blue Card
- work visas
- specialist visas
- education followed by employment
Germany is one of the largest recipients of migrants in Europe. (European Commission)
Main immigrant groups:
- India
- China
- USA
- Eastern European countries
- Ukraine
Useful links:
Labor market
Germany has a shortage of specialists - more than 1 million vacancies. Main sectors:
- IT
- healthcare
- engineering
- logistics
- renewable energy (German Online Tests)
Unemployment is about 6%, which is considered a low level for a large economy. (EP Advisory)
Job search websites:
- https://www.stepstone.de/
- https://www.indeed.de/
- https://www.xing.com/jobs
- https://www.make-it-in-germany.com
Education
Top universities:
- Technical University of Munich
- LMU Munich
- Heidelberg University
- RWTH Aachen
Plus, at many universities tuition is free.
Healthcare
Mandatory insurance:
- ~120-150 EUR per month
- healthcare is among Europe's top systems
Freedom of speech and social standards
Germany offers:
- a high level of social protection
- strong trade unions
- a high level of freedom of speech
- a developed social system
Conclusion: an excellent country for engineers, IT professionals, and technical specialists.
3. Portugal
Immigration friendly
Portugal is one of the easiest countries to obtain residency:
- D7 visa
- Digital Nomad Visa
- Work Visa (International Citizens Insurance)
Very popular among:
- remote workers
- IT professionals
- retirees
- entrepreneurs
Labor market
Main sectors:
- IT
- tourism
- services
- finance
- startups
Websites:
Education
Universities:
- University of Lisbon
- University of Porto
- Nova University Lisbon
Healthcare
- public system
- insurance ~40-100 EUR/month
- good healthcare by EU standards
Freedom of speech and social standards
Portugal:
- one of the safest countries in Europe
- high level of personal freedoms
- calm lifestyle
Conclusion: ideal for remote work and a peaceful life.
4. Estonia
Immigration friendly
Estonia:
- Digital Nomad Visa
- Startup Visa
- IT immigration
- e-Residency
The country actively attracts IT specialists and engineers. (ICC Immigration Inc)
Labor market
Main sectors:
- IT
- fintech
- startups
- cybersecurity
- logistics
Websites:
Education
- University of Tartu
- Tallinn University of Technology
Healthcare
- insurance ~100-150 EUR/month
- average healthcare level by EU standards
Freedom of speech and social standards
Estonia:
- very high level of digitalization
- high level of freedom
- safe country
- small market
Conclusion: an excellent country for IT and startups.
Final table
| Country | Immigration | Jobs | Education | Healthcare | Freedoms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Germany | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Portugal | ★★★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Estonia | ★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Conclusion
To simplify:
- Canada - best for immigration and life quality
- Germany - best for engineering and IT jobs
- Portugal - best for remote work and peaceful living
- Estonia - best for IT and startups
In 2026, the main immigration trend is that countries are actively attracting skilled professionals, IT specialists, engineers, and healthcare workers, as well as remote workers.