Best English-Speaking Countries to Live in 2026

These countries were handpicked based on different relocation-abroad and expat priorities, not how well they do in terms of speaking English. The selection includes countries where English is spoken frequently or is a dominant language, as well as those where locals are proficient in it, or it is often heard.

For countries that don’t speak English natively, the 2025 EF English Proficiency Index provides a useful reference. Native English-speaking countries were not included in this Index.

We also use the Global Citizen Solutions Quality of Life Index under the 2025 Global Passport Index (GPI) separately to cover sustainable development, cost of living, happiness, personal freedoms, environmental performance, and migrant acceptance.

1. The Netherlands

The Netherlands is one of the easiest non-native English-speaking countries for English speakers to navigate, as shown by its ranking first in the 2025 EF English Proficiency Index.

Dutch is the official language, but you can expect to hear English within your first day of arriving in Amsterdam; the Eurostat Press Office reported in 2024 that over 95% of Dutch people speak English. International companies commonly use English in their operations, and around 2,000 higher education programs are taught in English, according to Study in NL.

The Netherlands also performs better than many countries for several quality-of-life statistics. It ranks ninth in the 2026 Global Citizen Solutions Quality of Life Index, which considers personal freedoms, environmental performance, cost of living, and how migrants are accepted by locals.

Relocation options include several employment-related visas (including the Highly Skilled Migrant Visa), Student Visas, Family Reunification (including for same-sex couples), and Self-Employment Visas (including a simplified category for Japanese and US citizens).

2. Sweden

Sweden combines very high English proficiency with one of Europe’s strongest quality-of-life profiles. It ranked eighth in the 2025 EF English Proficiency Index, while the Global Citizen Solutions Quality of Life Index places it second globally.

Swedish is the official language, but all students in Sweden study English at the secondary level, and it is widely spoken in Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö, and other major cities.

Living costs can be high, particularly in Stockholm, and income taxes are relatively substantial. Non-EU nationals generally need an appropriate residence permit for work, study, or another qualifying purpose.

3. Denmark

Denmark has one of Europe’s highest levels of English proficiency. It ranked seventh in the 2025 EF English Proficiency Index, and 100% of lower secondary students learn English.

Danish remains the country’s official language, but English-speaking newcomers can generally manage many everyday interactions without needing Danish. As the economic center, Copenhagen is particularly international, with analysis by SMV Danmark showing that international employees make up 23.4% of the city’s workforce.

Denmark also ranks fourth in the Global Citizen Solutions Quality of Life Index, as it is known to have well-developed infrastructure and performs strongly when considering environmental performance and personal freedoms.

The trade-off is whether you can afford to live there. Renting or buying a house and what you need to spend on essentials can be expensive. Residents may also pay higher income taxes than US taxpayers, depending on the individual. EU/EEA citizens can live and work there by only registering their residency, whereas non-EU nationals generally need to be approved for legal residency.

4. Norway

Norway is another country where English-speaking newcomers can generally communicate easily in major cities. It ranked fifth in the 2025 EF English Proficiency Index.

Norwegian is the official language, but English is common among younger people and in international workplaces. As is the case in Denmark, all lower secondary students learn English, and Oslo, Bergen, and Trondheim can provide an English-speaking community.

Norway ranks fifth in the Global Citizen Solutions Quality of Life Index and combines high living standards with extensive public services. However, Numbeo’s latest cost-of-living report, as of October 2026, shows that living costs remain high.

Nationals from non-EU/EEA countries need a genuine reason to obtain a residence permit, such as employment, study, or family immigration.

5. Finland

Finland ranked 12th in the 2025 EF English Proficiency Index, placing it in the index’s highest proficiency level.

Finnish and Swedish are the official languages, but you can expect to hear and read English in universities and international offices. Study in Finland says that Finnish higher education institutions offer over 600 English-taught bachelor’s and master’s degree programs.

Helsinki has a large international community. The City of Helsinki reported in 2025 that 21% of people living there had a native language that wasn’t Finnish, Swedish, or Sámi, and there was a population of over 11,000 native English speakers.

Finland was the top-ranked country in the 2026 Global Citizen Solutions Quality of Life Index. Its public services, education, and environmental maintenance are all well-balanced. Living costs are not particularly low, costing about $1,407 per month for a single person before factoring in rent, according to Numbeo. The country’s long, dark winters can also be an adjustment for some expats.

6. Belgium

Belgium has three official languages, Dutch, French, and German. English is widely understood, particularly in Brussels and international business environments.

Belgium ranked ninth in the 2025 EF English Proficiency Index. Brussels attracts international professionals, including staff from major EU institutions, NATO, and globally recognized organizations. Visit Brussels reports that more than 30,000 professionals work in areas such as policy and advocacy.

The country’s location right in the center of Europe is another advantage. France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg all border it, while high-speed rail connects it to other European cities.

Working or living there legally depends on nationality, with EU/EEA citizens benefiting from freedom of movement.

7. Portugal

Portugal is an English-friendly destination. It ranked sixth in the 2025 EF English Proficiency Index. Portuguese is the official language, and while the percentage of English speakers is smaller than in Sweden or the Netherlands, over 70% of students learn English at the lower secondary level, according to Eurostat.

Portugal generally offers a lower cost of living than top-ranking countries in the 2025 EF English Proficiency Index, especially outside Lisbon and popular coastal areas.

It also ranks well for quality of life, coming in 11th overall in the Quality of Life Index under the Global Passport Index. Residency options are accessible, including the D7 Visa for those with qualifying passive income and the Portugal Golden Visa through an eligible investment.

8. Ireland

Ireland is one of the most straightforward European countries for English speakers. Irish and English are the country’s official languages, but English dominates everyday interactions.

Dublin is home to 982 companies through IDA Ireland, the agency responsible for overseeing and attracting foreign direct investment, which employ more than 137,000 people directly.

Ireland also provides access to the EU single market. However, questions remain about the affordability of housing, with Dublin singled out, where the standardized average rent for new tenancies reached €2,237 per month in the third quarter of 2025, according to the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB).

On 14 February 2023, Ireland announced the withdrawal of its Golden Visa program, but other immigration options are available for investors, including the  Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP).

9. New Zealand

New Zealand offers the straightforward language environment of an English-speaking country alongside a strong quality-of-life profile, backed by its number seven ranking in the Global Passport Index Quality of Life Index.

English is widely used throughout public life, education, business, and everyday communication. Auckland and Wellington are the main international centers, and there are several options to invest in New Zealand and relocate there.

The New Zealand Golden Visa under the Active Investor Plus Visa allows eligible investors to obtain residence by investing in qualifying assets.

10. Canada

Canada is one of the world’s most established destinations for English-speaking immigrants. English and French are the country’s official languages, though English is the leading language in most provinces.

The last Census of Population, released by Statistics Canada in 2021, showed that Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and Calgary had the largest immigrant populations.

Canada ranks eighth in the 2026 Global Citizen Solutions Quality of Life Index. Economic immigration routes include programs such as the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) entrepreneur streams.

11. Australia

Australia is a natural choice for English speakers looking to relocate to a high-income country with a large labor market. English is the national language, spoken at home by 72% of the population.

Australia has an established Skilled Migration System, and the Department of Home Affairs plans to allocate 132,240 places between 2026 and 2027.

The country ranks 16th for quality of life in the Global Citizen Solutions Global Passport Index for 2026. Still, Australia offers high wages, ranking sixth worldwide in average annual wages in 2025, according to the OECD.

12. United Kingdom

The UK is a natural fit for English speakers. English is used for everyday communication, education, government, and business. London is a global financial and cultural center, with 23.3% of London residents holding a non-UK passport, according to the last study by the Office for National Statistics in 2021. Growing cities like Manchester, Birmingham, and Glasgow offer different employment and lifestyle options.

The UK ranks ninth in the 2026 Quality of Life Index developed by Global Citizen Solutions. Several immigration options are available, including Skilled Worker, Global Talent, Innovator Founder, as well as student visas.

13. United States

The official language of the United States is English, after President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14224 on 1 March 2025. Though English wasn’t federally designated as the country’s official language before this, it is the primary language used in everyday life. Spanish is also widely spoken, alongside hundreds of other languages across the country.

The US offers a wide range of living environments, from large metropolitan cities to smaller towns and rural communities. It can appeal to people pursuing career opportunities, ranking first in the Global Citizen Solutions 2025 Global Education Index for career prospects.

However, living costs vary across locations and lifestyles, and potential residents must also consider health insurance costs. Several paths to apply for residency in the United States exist, including the US E1 and E2 Visas, but foreign nationals should confirm their eligibility to apply for residency there.

14. Malta

Malta has two official languages: English and Maltese. While English is commonly used in business, education, and government administration, Maltese remains central to the island’s cultural identity. As a native English-speaking country, Malta did not appear in the 2025 EF English Proficiency Index.

Being an EU member state, Malta may attract expats seeking a Mediterranean lifestyle in a country that speaks English, as well as access to Europe. However, something that prospective residents should keep in mind is housing costs and availability.

24.3% of residents considered housing costs a heavy burden in 2025, according to the National Statistics Office. The small size of the island can also put a potential strain on infrastructure due to tourism and high population density.

Residence options will vary depending on your nationality and situation, but the country has programs designed for third-country nationals that provide a clear path to permanent residency, such as the Malta Permanent Residence Programme. 

15. Singapore

Singapore is one of Asia’s easiest countries to move around if you speak English. English is one of the country’s four official languages and is used in government, education, by businesses, and administration.

The country is one of the centers for major international financial and business in the region. It provides access to the Southeast Asian market as a whole, as well as options for wealthy individuals and family offices to move there through the Global Investor Program (GIP).

Singapore has the ability to draw English-speaking professionals and entrepreneurs through an economy that connects Asia. However, finding somewhere to live can be a challenge, as rental demand remains strong, and living costs are generally high. It also has a humid climate, which doesn’t suit everyone.

16. Malaysia

Malaysia offers an English-friendly environment. While Malay is the official language, the Malaysian government admits that English dominates trade and industry in the country. Malaysia also ranked 24th in the 2025 EF English Proficiency Index.

Kuala Lumpur and Penang are two of Malaysia’s main destinations for international residents, while other cities and coastal areas offer different lifestyles and cost profiles.

According to Numbeo in October 2026, the estimated cost of living for a single person is $527 monthly, without rent, potentially attracting English-speaking retirees and people working remotely who want to lower their living expenses in an English accessible country.

Migration programs like Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) provide an option for overseas investors to relocate to Malaysia long-term.

17. Philippines 

The Philippines has one of the largest populations of English speakers among native- and non-native English-speaking nations. The US Department of Agriculture reported in 2023 that 76% of Filipinos spoke English. Filipino and English are official languages, while English is widely used in education under Executive Order 210.

The Philippines ranked 28th in the 2025 EF English Proficiency Index. Manila and Cebu provide large concentrations of international business.

Several options exist for relocating to the Philippines, including work permits for foreign employees and retirement options through the Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV), which accepts pensioners and non-pensioners aged 40 years old and over.

18. South Africa

English is one of South Africa’s official languages and plays an important role across business, public administration, education, and the media. South Africa ranked 13th in the 2025 EF English Proficiency Index, placing it in the index’s highest proficiency category.

The chance to lower living costs can appeal to expats earning in USD, EUR, or another strong currency, but personal safety is still one of the deciding factors. Cities and neighborhoods have different levels and types of crime, so those considering relocating should consider visiting locations they’ve shortlisted to know whether the environment suits them.

South Africa may issue temporary residence visas through employment, business, study, retirement, and family reunification. Certain applicants may qualify for permanent residence status by meeting specific requirements, including certain employees, business owners, and retirees.

Cost, healthcare, and safety can help readers narrow down their options for potential English-speaking countries, but these factors only contribute to a decision about where it is best to move as an English speaker.

Costs for housing depend on where exactly you live, from the city and neighborhood to the type of property. Healthcare access can also differ depending on whether you’re a temporary resident or hold permanent status, as well as insurance and the services available locally.

Safety is another area where conditions can vary significantly within the same country, so a national ranking does not necessarily reflect what life is like in a particular city or region.

For a consistent comparison, the table below uses the 2026 Numbeo Cost of Living Index and Health Care Index, along with the 2026 Global Peace Index (GPI). For cost of living, one is the most expensive.

Finding the right English-speaking country to move to will come down to your priorities. To create a personal shortlist of countries, consider:

• English access: How likely are you to be able to use English beyond conversations with people they already know, such as in the workplace or when shopping?
• Residence options: What ways can you become a resident to stay there legally, such as work or residency by investment?
• Cost of living: What budget do you need to cover the type of home and lifestyle you want?
• Work and income: Are there job listings in your field, and do average earnings provide enough to support you and any family members with you?
• Healthcare: How is medical care administered, and what access would you have to a public or private facility?
• Safety and quality of life: What is everyday life like in terms of safety and local conditions?
• Family needs: If you’re moving with minor children, are there good schools available that teach in English?
• Climate and lifestyle: Do the weather and culture suit the kind of lifestyle you want?
• International community: Are you likely to come across an international community or other expats?

These checklist items are not equally important for everyone. A remote worker may prioritize accessible Digital Nomad Visas, affordability, and good internet infrastructure. On the other hand, a couple may place greater weight on the best countries to raise a family, considering schooling, healthcare, and safety. Use the country profiles to compare the factors that matter most to you.