Estonia Tops 2026 Relocation Index, Named Best Country to Move To

Estonia has been named the world’s best place to relocate to in 2026, according to the Rumavi Global Relocation Index, released annually at the end of Q2.

The index, compiled by Singapore-based consultancy firm Rumavi, scores 192 countries across 24 metrics grouped into four categories: financial and tax, livability and health, safety and stability, and settling and opportunity.

Estonia’s top ranking was driven by its banking infrastructure, business opportunities, and property rights for non-citizens. The country also received high scores for business opportunities (96), housing affordability (82), green spaces (86), and street safety (77).

However, Estonia scored 20 out of 100 for climate comfort due to its cold, dark winters.

Portugal ranked fourth and was praised for its currency and banking, property rights for non-citizens, and low conflict risk, though it received a score of 48 for income tax. Fellow Baltic state Lithuania came sixth, highlighted for its abundant green spaces and its currency and banking infrastructure. Czechia ranked 9th and Malta 10th.

The index also provides separate rankings for retirees, digital nomads, families, and entrepreneurs. Estonia ranked first for families, where the most heavily weighted metric is street safety, followed by education and schooling, cost of living, and healthcare quality. Estonia also ranked second for entrepreneurs, behind Singapore.

For digital nomads, the highest weighted metrics are cost of living, digital infrastructure, and foreign income tax; Malaysia ranked first in this category, with Portugal second. For retirees, healthcare quality and foreign income tax are the priority metrics, and Portugal ranked third.

Turkey ranked 97th overall. The index’s methodology includes data from the Global Peace Index 2025 and World Bank WGI Government Effectiveness for political stability, as well as World Bank ICP price-level data and the Mercer Cost of Living Survey for affordability.