Expats in Panama Are Happiest with Their Life Abroad

• In Brief
• Popular with Freelancers & Retirees
• The Housing Search Isn’t a Hassle
• Lively Social Atmosphere
• A Great Climate & Options for Recreational Sport
• If You’re Driving, Pay Attention to the Roads
• The Typical Expat in Panama
• Further Reading

In Brief

For the second year in a row, Panama (1st) is crowned winner of the Expat Insider survey. All five indices are ranked in the top 3, and expats in Panama are the happiest with their life abroad (1st) compared to expats in 46 countries worldwide. It’s no surprise that more than a third of expats there (35%) plan on staying forever!

Popular with Freelancers & Retirees

Panama’s Working Abroad Index jumps from 12th place in 2024 to 1st place in 2025. The country receives top marks for the Salary & Job Security (1st), Work & Leisure (1st), and Work Culture & Satisfaction (1st) Subcategories.

Interestingly, not even one in five respondents (19%) cite a job-related reason for their move to Panama — instead, the country is a popular spot for retirees (18% are retired vs. 3% globally). Nevertheless, it seems to be a great place for freelancers (24% of expats describe themselves as such vs. 11% globally) and working remotely (34% work remote all of the time vs. 19%).

And when it comes to the Personal Finance Index (3rd), 78% of respondents there are satisfied with their financial situation (vs. 54% globally).

Find out more in our articles on the Working Abroad and Personal Finance Indices.

The Housing Search Isn’t a Hassle

Panama’s Expat Essentials is one of two indices in 2nd place. The country has steadily improved its ranking since 2023 when it placed 7th to enter the top 3. In fact, all four subcategories of the index show an improvement (two of which are new entries in the top 10!).

The Housing Subcategory takes 1st place. Finding accommodation is a thorn in the side of every expat — but not for 90% of respondents in Panama, who find it easy (vs. 44% globally). Housing is also affordable (5th).

Language (2nd) and Digital Life (10th) make their way into the top 10 from a respective 11th and 16th place in the previous year. The latter subcategory features Panama’s lowest performing factor: the online availability of administrative services (30th). Pulling their weight for Digital Life is the ease of paying without cash (5th) and getting high speed internet access at home (3rd).

Outside the top 10 is Admin Topics (15th), which is nevertheless on the rise compared to 2023 when it ranked 27th. It may not be the easiest to open a bank account (26% say it’s difficult vs. 23% globally) nor deal with the local bureaucracy (30% negative ratings vs. 41%), though it could be worse. Getting a visa to move to Panama doesn’t seem to be an issue, however (5th).

Find out more in our article on the Expat Essentials Index.

Lively Social Atmosphere

The Ease of Settling In is the other index in 2nd place. Finding Friends (1st) is no hassle: expats are happy with their social life in Panama (1st) and say it’s easy to make local friends (2nd). It appears expats and locals love mingling as 55% of respondents describe their friends and acquaintances as a mix of foreigners and Panamanians (vs. 46% globally).

Expats also feel at home (1st) and welcome (1st) in Panama, placing the Culture & Welcome Subcategory in 2nd place. And when it comes to Local Friendliness (6th), Panama enters the top 10 for this subcategory after placing 13th in 2024. More than four in five expats say the locals are friendly in general (82% vs. 62% globally) and towards foreign residents (88% vs. 60%).

A Great Climate & Options for Recreational Sport

From 16th place in 2024 to 3rd in 2025 is the Quality of Life Index. In addition to the Leisure Options Subcategory (3rd), which already ranked in the top 10 previously, expats appear happier with their Safety & Security (from 27th to 5th) and the Environment & Climate (from 24th to 8th).

Four in five respondents in Panama (80%) say they can openly express themselves and their opinions (vs. 63% globally). An even higher share (97%) positively rate their personal safety in the country (vs. 81%).

Nearly all respondents (99%) appreciate Panama’s natural environment (vs. 83% globally). This includes the climate & weather (9th) and air quality (9th). The availability of green goods and services (32nd) could be better, though.

If You’re Driving, Pay Close Attention

Two subcategories of the Quality of Life Index that are improving but haven’t yet made it into the top 10 are Travel & Transit (18th) and Healthcare (14th). The biggest issues are the infrastructure for cars (30th) and affordability of healthcare (22nd).

Meanwhile, the affordability of public transportation and quality of medical care delight 91% and 81% of respondents, respectively (vs. 71% and 67% globally).

Overall, 10% of respondents cite a better quality of life as the main reason for their move to Panama (vs. 7% globally), and the country doesn’t disappoint.

Find out more in our article on the Quality of Life Index.

The Typical Expat in Panama

Further Reading

• The Best & Worst Countries for Expats in 2025
• Where Expats Can Find the Best Quality of Life (& Where Not)
• Where to Go (or Avoid) for a Lively Social Circle
• Top Prospects, Good Hours & More: Countries for Your Career
• The Best (& Worst) Places for Your Finances in 2025
• Where It’s (Not So) Easy to Manage the Basics of Life Abroad
• Expat Insider 2024: Panama, the Best Country for Expats
• Expat Community in Panama