If you’re looking to finally take the plunge and become an expat in 2025, you aren’t alone. The Covid-19 pandemic has spurred a rise in remote work, leading many to move to a new destination and take up a job as a digital nomad, while others seek to retire in a different (and often warmer) environment.
While there have been reports in the news that some countries are cutting back on inbound expats, others have launched new visas or eased restrictions. But moving abroad is also a financial decision – from setting up local accounts to sending money home or receiving income in foreign currency.
In this guide, we’ve highlighted six countries that are welcoming expats in 2025, as well as some key financial tips when making your move.
New Zealand
New Zealand has some of the most beautiful scenery in the world with a rich diversity of landscapes, rounded out by urban centres such as Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington.
Earlier this year, New Zealand relaxed visa restrictions by allowing foreign visitors to work for overseas employers for up to 90 days at a time without incurring local taxes. The country also offers a Working Holiday Visa, allowing citizens of 42 countries to legally live, work and travel in New Zealand for up to a year. This allows you to explore what it's like to live in New Zealand before making a permanent move.
Aside from its natural beauty, New Zealand offers an accepting culture and high quality of life. The country ranks third on the Global Peace Index for 2025, highlighting how safe it is to live there, and it also has easily accessible healthcare options.
Taiwan
Taiwan is known for so many things: from stunning landscapes mixed with incredible urban sprawls and famous night markets to its low cost of living, delicious food and a thriving tech sector with plenty of employment opportunities.
In January, the country launched its new Digital Nomad Visa, which allows professionals employed by overseas companies to legally stay in the country for up to six months (with proposed plans to enable remote workers to stay for up to two years). This makes now the perfect time for digital nomads to start thinking about Taiwan as a destination.
Taiwan’s capital Taipei is generally considered the best place for expats in Taiwan, particularly due to its high quality of life and transport. However, other cities like Taichung, Tainan and Kaohsiung also offer attractive options for expats.
Thailand
Another fantastic Southeast Asian option to consider is Thailand. As one of the region’s most popular hubs, Thailand is a diverse country, reflected across its architecture, arts, festivals, music and food. If you are looking for lush green landscapes, historical sites galore and a unique culture totally different from the UK, this could be a good option.
Thailand offers a digital nomad visa called the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), which allows remote workers and freelancers to stay in Thailand for up to 180 days per entry. This can be extended once for another 180 days and multiple entries are allowed within a five-year validity period.
Topping this off, the cost of living for accommodation, groceries and daily expenses is considerably lower in Thailand – particularly for remote workers with a UK salary, this will go much further in Thailand.
Greece
Greece is an ideal option for expats looking for a slower, more fulfilling pace of life. With stunning coastlines and islands, filled with ancient ruins, Greece’s rich cultural heritage makes it a wonderful place to live and explore.
Many expats gravitate towards Athens due to its mix of career opportunities and cultural attractions. However, the second-largest city of Thessaloniki offers a more relaxed atmosphere, while those seeking out an island lifestyle might move towards Crete or Corfu, both popular destinations for English-speaking expats.
Greece’s Golden Visa programme allows non-EU citizens to obtain Greek recency by investing in real estate or other assets in the country, making it particularly attractive for people looking to retire abroad or boost their portfolio. The program provides a five-year renewable residence permit, with options for family members and potential citizenship after seven years of residency.
Portugal
Portugal remains a popular option for Brits looking to start a new life in a sunny, beautiful country filled with history and diverse cuisine options. Many are drawn to Lisbon and Porto, or the Algarve, which has strong expat communities in cities such as Lagos and Albufeira.
The country’s D7 visa allows expats to live in the country for two years, but is renewable and allows you to stay for another three years. After five years of living in Portugal, you can apply for permanent residency if you pass a basic Portuguese language test.
In October 2022, Portugal introduced a new Digital Nomad Visa, allowing non-EU/EEA citizens to reside in Portugal for a maximum of one year.
Georgia
Georgia’s medieval history and hospitality make a great mix for UK expats looking to enjoy historical beauty amid fantastic food options. It is one of the oldest wine-producing countries, with grapes cultivated on the slopes of the South Caucasus from as early as 6,000 BC. Many expats opt to move to the country’s small but beautiful capital Tbilisi, which contains a mix of beautiful Gothic churches and cobblestone streets with modern cafes.
Georgia’s visa-free policy makes it enticing for UK expats. UK nationals are able to enter and stay in Georgia for up to one year without needing a visa, making it one of the most accessible countries in the world to visit for long-term stays. There are options to extend this to temporary or permanent residency, such as through owning property or through work.
Key financial factors for expats to consider in 2025
When relocating abroad, one of the things you need to consider is how you will send money overseas. This is particularly true for cases such as making payments across borders for accommodation, repatriating salaries or sending money back home to friends and family.
This means that when you are picking a place to move, think about currency stability. Be wary of countries with volatile currency rates or restrictions on foreign exchange, as they could lead to unfavourable exchange rates and delays when sending money across borders. Instead, opt for destinations with stable, freely convertible currencies such as the euro, US dollar, Canadian dollar or New Zealand dollar.
Another thing to consider is whether a strong network exists for sending money across borders. Some countries, such as Mexico and India, have been working to develop digital infrastructure to make it easier to send remittances (i.e. cash sent across borders), while other countries may still rely on cash-based systems or have a smaller banking network. It’s a good idea to check if the destination you move to is supported by major money transfer providers such as Wise, Revolut, Remitly or Western Union.
You should also be thinking about how you will store and manage money while in your new country. While countries like Portugal might make it relatively easy for non-residents to open an account, others may require more documents, such as a residency permit. Setting up a new bank account can take time, but more and more providers – such as Wise and Revolut – have begun offering multicurrency accounts that allow you to hold, manage and convert money in other currencies.
Lastly, you need to consider the cost of moving money internationally. Traditional banks often offer poor exchange rates or attach large fees to transfers. On the other hand, specialised money transfer providers can often be more transparent, have lower fees and have dedicated networks that get your money to its destination much faster.
You can use FXcompared’s money transfer comparison tool to compare providers in seconds and get an idea of how much it will cost to send money across borders.
