The Top 10 Countries to Find Love Abroad

Relationships Abroad: Can Love Conquer All?

For the annual Expat Insider 2015 survey, InterNations asked more than 14,000 expats living in 195 different countries about their satisfaction with their romantic relationships. Based on the feedback, the countries were ranked by how happy expats living there are with their relationships.

“Moving abroad poses a great challenge to every relationship. Our numbers show that about 14 percent of the people in a relationship who move abroad end up in a long-distance one. We are relieved to see that out of all expat couples questioned, 75 percent said they are happy with their romantic life abroad,” shares Founder & Co-CEO Malte Zeeck.

When Love Knows No Borders

While Paris, Rome and the Maldives are widely known for being popular holiday spots among love birds, here are 10 countries for those looking for romance all-year-around:

1. Ecuador

Ecuador is the best destination to spend your life together and expats in Ecuador are among the least likely to be in a long-distance relationship. With leisure options ranked positively by 94 percent of respondents along with being the most welcoming destination to foreigners, it is hardly surprising that Ecuador is home to the happiest expats. As job security is mediocre, however, it is less a destination for career-focused expats and more appealing to those ready to settle down for good.

2. Costa Rica

Three in four expats who met their partner before their relocation moved to Costa Rica together — a significant percentage given the global average is only 44 percent. The friendly locals and highly rated work-life balance are just some of the reasons why expats decide to move to this tropical paradise. Unlike many other destinations that are mostly career-focused, the most popular reasons for moving to Costa Rica were for a better quality of life and a thirst for adventure.

3. Malta

Surprisingly, a considerable number of foreigners move to Malta for love. Ranked first overall for working abroad, as well as job satisfaction and work-life balance, the country proves to be perfect for those looking to improve their career prospect and romantic relationship simultaneously.

4. Israel

Israel is the fourth most popular country for families, with 79 percent of expat parents rating the education options and 94 percent their children’s general wellbeing positively. Not only are expat families some of the happiest here, Israel is also home to some of the world’s most harmonic relationships.

5. Philippines

Filipinos seem to be easy to connect to: 93 percent regard the friendliness of the local population positively and a striking 66 percent of non-single expatriates living in the country are also in a relationship with a local resident. A popular destination with retirees, the majority is aged 51 or older, with almost three out of four expats in the Philippines being men.

6. Indonesia

Ranked sixth for personal finance, Indonesia appeals most to expats looking to make the most out of their money or for those looking for adventure. It seems expats here are not only well off, but also receive a warm welcome, with 86 percent regarding the local attitude towards foreign residents as friendly. Two in five expats have also found love locally and are in a relationship with an Indonesian.

7. Panama

Not only is Panama ranked in the top ten for expat destinations overall, it is actually the sixth most preferred destination for men. While many expats moved there for a better quality of life or were motivated by financial reasons, love does not seem to have been a main reason for relocating. In fact, the majority of those currently in a relationship and living in Panama are together with somebody from their country of origin and moved there together. With the country being ranked in the top 10 for personal happiness, a move to this beautiful place does not seem like a huge sacrifice though.

8. Thailand

In this tropical paradise, more than half the expat respondents who are still single agree that the expat lifestyle in Thailand does not impact having a relationship negatively. For those who are in a committed relationship, a relatively high percentage are together with a local resident whom they met after their move. Much like in the Philippines, the majority of expats living in Thailand are men.

9. Portugal

Portugal seems to be especially charming for women, with a significant higher percentage of female expats to be found there compared to the global average. Their admiration for the country comes to no surprise as it is considered the third most welcoming destination for expats overall and ranks fifth in for its quality of life and the ease of settling in. Although only just over half of the expats living here are in a committed relationship, they are some of the happiest, with almost nine out of ten of them being satisfied with their love life.

10. Mexico

Mexico is one of the most welcoming countries for expats, with over 60 percent rating the friendliness of the local population as very good. What is more, whether it is the variety of leisure options or the friendliness of the local residents, expats here belong to the happiest in the world. Although Mexico ranks relatively poorly for working abroad, many moved because they wanted to live in this particular country or were looking for a better quality of life. And with 80 percent of expats content with their relationship, it seems they made the right choice.