5 Easiest Countries to Immigrate to as an Expat in 2025

In today’s hyper-connected world, the idea of moving abroad for adventure, opportunity, or a better quality of life feels more possible than ever.

Yet, that dream often collides with the harsh reality of convoluted, bureaucratic immigration systems, turning aspiration and excitement into apprehension and frustration. 

It’s that kind of inherent system friction that drives many people to seek countries offering a smoother or easier path to second residency. 

Now, ‘easy’ doesn’t mean cutting corners. It means finding streamlined application processes with transparent requirements and visa options tailored to investors, entrepreneurs and skilled professionals.

The search for simpler immigration routes is rooted in practicality. Anyone managing life and assets across borders knows that unclear processes are a drain on time, energy and money – resources that could be better spent settling in, building a business or growing investments.

Whether you’re chasing a market opportunity or creating stability for your family, timing matters. Clearer rules mean fewer delays, less legal back-and-forth and fewer hidden costs.

In short, clearer rules and predictable pathways make planning possible and allow you to focus on what truly counts: integrating, connecting and getting on with your new life.

That said, realistic expectations are important. No international move is entirely seamless, and ‘easy’ never means ‘automatic’.  You still need to meet all the criteria, do your research, prepare your documents carefully and be ready to adapt. 

It’s also vital to bear in mind that immigration rules aren’t set in stone – they evolve, and so must your knowledge of them.

With that in mind, the Nomad Capitalist team has put together this comprehensive exploration of the countries that, in 2025, genuinely offer more accessible and manageable immigration pathways for expats.

We’ll break down the visa types, residency rules and the practical issues that make these nations less challenging for anyone who’s ready to go where you’re treated best. 

What Defines a Country as ‘Easy’ to Immigrate To?

When we talk about a country being easy to immigrate to, it comes down to a practical assessment of the factors that reduce friction for people on the hunt for a new home country.

Accessibility of Entry Pathways

The first hurdle is ‌the accessibility of entry pathways. 

A country isn’t easy if there are no realistic visa or residency options matching your profile. 

This goes hand-in-hand with pathways that have clear and achievable financial requirements. 

This doesn’t always mean lower costs but rather transparent financial proof that makes sense for the benefits received, unlike the demands of some investment migration schemes.

Simplicity and Predictability of the Process

Aside from simply having options, the ease of the application process itself is another factor. 

This involves clear, accessible information about the requirements and procedures. 

The steps involved should be logical and straightforward, avoiding unnecessary complexity or ambiguity. 

Support and Long-Term Prospects

Good support and long-term prospects also make a big difference.

A clear pathway from the initial visa towards permanent residency or even citizenship, for those aiming for it, certainly contributes to this perception. 

The ease of maintaining residency status is also something to consider. 

Some countries let you keep your status with minimal time spent physically in the country, which is far easier for international business people and investors than those that demand you live there most of the year. 

Quality of Life

Naturally, the overall quality of life feeds into this perception of ease. 

While partly personal preference, factors like safety, political stability, reliable infrastructure and a pro-business climate can make the process of settling in feel smoother.

Language 

Things are inevitably simpler and feel easier if English (or another language you speak well) is widely used for business and daily life. 

Likewise, being able to sort out essentials quickly without excessive bureaucracy makes a huge difference in how smoothly you can get established and feel settled in your new base.

5 of the Easiest Countries for Expat Immigration in 2025

Having outlined what makes a country more straightforward for immigration, let’s explore some nations that stand out for expats planning their moves for 2025.

1. Immigrate to Portugal

Portugal is a top choice for expats looking for an easy way into Western Europe. Its appeal in 2025 holds strong thanks to several clear routes to residency and a well-defined five-year timeline to gain permanent status or even citizenship.

If you have a regular passive income from outside Portugal, such as pensions, rent or dividends – the D7 Visa could be a good fit. You’ll need to show you meet the income requirement (at least €870 monthly for 2025) and have adequate savings. 

For remote workers earning a solid income (€3,480 monthly minimum for 2025) from non-Portuguese employers or clients, the D8 Digital Nomad Visa is perfect. 

What makes this digital nomad visa so good is that it has options for both shorter stays and a residency path that can lead to permanence. 

Then there’s the Portuguese Golden Visa. 

It’s an option for those with substantial capital, though it no longer focuses on buying property directly. Now, it’s mainly about investments of around €500,000 or more into approved funds, creating jobs or making large donations to culture or research projects. 

Of course, standard visas for joining family, studying or working directly for a Portuguese employer also exist.

However, you should be aware that: 

• Dealing with the immigration authorities (AIMA) can involve paperwork delays
• Portugal’s cost of living is rising, especially for housing in major cities like Lisbon and Porto

2. Immigrate to Spain

While Spain’s spirited lifestyle often grabs the spotlight, its immigration system is the star of today’s show.

Beyond the sunshine and tapas, certain pathways into the country are well-defined, and a key draw is the accelerated two-year route to citizenship available for people from Ibero-American nations, the Philippines and a handful of others.

For folks planning their move, two main visas come into focus if traditional local employment isn’t the goal. 

The non-lucrative visa suits those who can comfortably fund their stay through savings or passive income (requiring proof of about €28,800 per year) without needing to work in Spain. 

The name says it all – earning an active income locally is off the table with this visa, at least initially. 

For remote workers earning consistently from foreign companies or clients (over €2,763 monthly needed in 2025), the Digital Nomad Visa offers a dedicated route, complete with a path to residency and potential tax efficiencies via Spain’s ‘Beckham Law’ for eligible applicants. 

Of course, standard visas tied to specific job offers, study programs or family connections also exist. 

A few points to bear in mind when looking at Spain: 

• The non-lucrative visa’s ban on local work is strict
• The potential tax breaks with the digital nomad visa aren’t automatic and require careful checking of eligibility
• Be prepared for Spanish bureaucracy. 

3. Immigrate to Panama

Panama often lands on the expat radar as a strategic hub in the Americas, particularly appealing for its US dollar-based economy and its beneficial territorial tax system. 

With a cost of living that’s lower than North America or Europe and a choice of visa programs, it’s little wonder that it’s on the list for many expats.

The Pensionado Visa is a standout, especially if you’re retired or have a guaranteed lifetime income. 

If you can show a reliable pension or similar income of at least US$1,000 monthly (a bit more needed for dependents), this program offers immediate permanent residency. It also famously includes a range of discounts on goods and services within Panama. 

Then there’s the well-known Friendly Nations Visa, which underwent a major overhaul recently. 

It’s still open to citizens of about 60 specific countries, but now demands a genuine economic connection. You need to either buy property worth US$200,000, place the same amount in a fixed bank deposit or get hired by a Panamanian company. 

This visa gives you temporary residency first, before you can gain permanent residency status after two years.

Panama also offers routes for larger investments (starting at US$300,000), which can grant permanent residency faster, plus options linked to reforestation projects.

Important things to keep in mind for Panama: 

• The friendly nations visa now requires a significant investment or a local job, unlike before 
• Also, while Panama City offers impressive amenities, infrastructure and services can be quite different once you venture outside the capital
• And finally, be prepared for paperwork to move slowly – ‘Panama time’ is real.

4. Immigrate to Mexico

Mexico often cuts through the complexity found in other immigration systems by offering residency pathways that hinge on proving you can support yourself financially. 

This straightforward approach, combined with a lower cost of living, Latin culture and geographical convenience for North Americans, makes it a practical choice for expats seeking longer stays or permanent relocation.

The usual entry point for stays beyond six months is the temporary resident visa. 

Generally, you’ll qualify by showing evidence of a consistent monthly income (around US$4,500 or more after tax) or a savings/investment balance (roughly US$74,000 or more). 

This visa typically grants you a one-year stay initially, which you can then renew for up to three more years. 

After that four-year mark, converting to permanent residency is usually possible. 

If you are seeking permanent residency immediately, you may be able to obtain a permanent resident visa directly from a consulate abroad. 

However, this typically requires meeting higher financial criteria, such as a monthly income of around US$7,100 or savings/investments exceeding US$280,000. 

Additionally, you may qualify as a retiree under specific conditions or if you have immediate family members who are Mexican citizens or permanent residents.

Key things to remember about Mexico: 

• You almost always start the visa application process at a Mexican consulate outside of Mexico
• The financial thresholds are recalculated annually and can differ slightly between consulates
• Finally, while English gets you by in tourist centres and expat bubbles, functional Spanish will make life a lot easier. 

5. Immigrate to Malta

If well-defined investment pathways interest you, Malta offers clear options for obtaining EU residency and even citizenship.

The main route for long-term stay is the Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP). 

Under the rules updated in early 2025, securing this status involves a package deal: 

• Either buying property (minimum €375,000) or renting long-term (minimum €14,000 per year)
• Paying government fees (combining contributions and admin fees, this totals €80,000 if buying or €110,000 if renting for the principal applicant, plus a further €10,000 for each dependent family member)
• And donating €2,000 to a Maltese charity.

This grants foreign nationals permanent residency rights and visa-free travel in the Schengen area. 

Those seeking actual Maltese citizenship need to be aware that the EU’s highest court, the European Court of Justice, ruled Malta’s MEIN (Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment) program to be illegal. 

Malta has acknowledged the ruling and indicated it will comply, but has been tight-lipped so far about what exact changes it will make and what timeline it will work to.

Separately, Malta also offers a Nomad Residence Permit for remote workers earning over €42,000 annually from foreign employers or clients. 

This is a temporary permit, valid for one year and renewable up to four years maximum, which does not lead directly to permanent residency. 

Standard work and study routes follow typical EU procedures.

The obvious considerations for Malta are: 

• The amount of capital required for its flagship MPRP and especially the CES/MEIN programmes
• Additionally, factor in the practicalities of living on a small, densely populated island.

Easiest Countries to Immigrate to: FAQs

What Influences Your ‘Easiest’ Path?

At the end of the day, the most straightforward route for you to gain residency hinges entirely on your unique profile and priorities. 

Your nationality plays a huge role – unlocking specific treaties like Spain’s fast-track citizenship for Ibero-Americans or eligibility for Panama’s Friendly Nations Visa. 

Your financial situation dictates feasibility – are you relying on passive income, active remote work income or do you have capital for investment-based residency? 

Your tolerance for bureaucracy, desired lifestyle and even preferred proximity to your home country all shape which option truly feels easiest.

Naturally, the list in this article isn’t exhaustive. Other options exist that can also solve different problems.

For those with very high net worth, citizenship-by-investment programs in places like Turkey or parts of the Caribbean offer serious speed in exchange for serious capital – though they operate under different assumptions than the residency-focused paths we’ve covered. 

Countries like Germany or Australia have specific channels for skilled professionals, but these are typically tied directly to employment offers and involve distinct processes. 

Most importantly, remember that these pathways are not static. 

Immigration rules constantly shift – look no further than the major reforms recently enacted in Spain, the tweaks to Portugal’s popular programs and the court-ordered end to Malta’s MEIN program. 

Trying to manage and understand this complex and changing landscape carries real risk. Making a mistake can cost you dearly in wasted time, money and opportunity. 

Getting personalised advice based on your unique circumstances is how you can build the best strategy. At Nomad Capitalist, that’s precisely what we do. We specialise in creating integrated strategies that weave together legal residency and citizenship, smart tax reduction, asset protection, and your desired lifestyle. 

Let’s explore how our bespoke approach can help you go where you’re treated best.