For expats seeking a high quality of life abroad, the decision to relocate often hinges on three critical pillars: safety, stability, and affordability. The 2026 Global Livability Index for Expats—compiled by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) and International Living—ranks the world’s top cities where expatriates thrive based on healthcare quality, infrastructure, political stability, crime rates, and cost of living.

This year’s rankings reveal a shift toward cities that balance low crime, efficient public services, and reasonable housing costs—a departure from previous years where affordability was often sacrificed for prestige. Vancouver remains Canada’s sole representative in the top 20, while European cities dominate due to their robust social systems. Meanwhile, affordability has emerged as the decisive factor for many expats, with cities like Lisbon and Porto climbing ranks despite higher crime rates than traditional top-tier destinations.