Panama, Denmark and the UAE lead the best countries for working abroad in 2026, but the rankings reveal very different advantages for professionals seeking international careers.
Moving abroad for work is rarely about salary alone. Career progression, job security, working hours and the ability to actually enjoy life outside the office can matter just as much.
The 2026 InterNations Working Abroad Index offers an interesting picture of where those priorities come together. Panama ranks first globally, followed by Denmark and the UAE, while Luxembourg and Ireland complete the top five. Saudi Arabia also enters the top 10 at ninth.
But look beyond the overall ranking and there is no single definition of the “best” place to work.
Where Expats Rate Working Abroad Highest
| Rank | Country | What Stands Out |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Panama | Work-life balance, career opportunities |
| 2 | Denmark | Working hours, flexibility, fair pay |
| 3 | UAE | Career prospects, job market, economic confidence |
| 4 | Luxembourg | Job security, job satisfaction |
| 5 | Ireland | Strong overall workplace performance |
| 6 | Netherlands | Salary and job security |
| 7 | Belgium | Salary and job security |
| 8 | Australia | Working hours, flexibility, fair pay |
| 9 | Saudi Arabia | Career prospects, economy, job market |
| 10 | Mexico | Career opportunities, job satisfaction |
Panama’s advantage is balance. It ranks first for work-life balance, with 90% of surveyed expats rating it positively. Nearly three-quarters are also satisfied with their working hours, while the country ranks third for both its local job market and personal career opportunities.
Denmark offers a different proposition. Full-time expats report an average 39.3-hour working week, compared with 42.2 hours globally. It ranks first for both Work & Leisure and Work Culture & Satisfaction, while 76% of respondents say they feel fairly paid. Its career-prospects ranking, however, is considerably lower at 20th.
Then there is the UAE, where the equation shifts decisively towards career growth.
The country ranks first globally for Career Prospects, including first place for the local job market, personal career opportunities and whether relocating improved respondents’ careers. Four in five expats said moving to the UAE improved their career prospects, while 92% viewed the state of the economy positively.
That career momentum comes with longer working hours. Full-time respondents in the UAE reported an average 46.3-hour week, contributing to a 24th-place ranking for work-life balance. The UAE also ranks 24th for perceived fair pay, despite its strong overall third-place finish.
Saudi Arabia presents a similar career-led story. At ninth overall, it ranks fourth for Career Prospects and joins the UAE among the five strongest destinations for both the state of the economy and local job market.
The ranking ultimately shows why choosing where to build an international career is deeply personal. Panama offers balance, Denmark combines shorter hours with flexibility, and the UAE stands out for professional opportunity.
For globally mobile professionals, the best destination may therefore be less about which country ranks first, and more about which measure of a successful working life matters most to them.
Source: InterNations, Expat Insider 2026 – Working Abroad Index.
