The 2026 Expat Insider survey from InterNations was recently released, and for a third year in a row, Panama has topped the ranking. Find out what expats had to say about Panama here:

The 2026 Expat Insider survey from InterNations says that out of 31 destinations ranked across quality of life, ease of settling in, working abroad, personal finance, and practical essentials such as housing and digital services, expats are choosing Panama. 

According to the report, close to nine in ten expats (87%) say they’re happy with life in Panama and the country is a particular draw for retirees, with 18% of respondents having moved there to retire.

Panama Ranks First in the Personal Finance Index

Nine out of ten expats in Panama (90%) believe their disposable household income is sufficient for a comfortable lifestyle. This figure surpasses the global average of 71%. The cost of living lands in 2nd place. But perhaps life in Panama is about more than just the numbers. 

Panama is An Easy Place to Call Home in 2026

The survey shows that Panama is one of the easiest places to settle, ranking 2nd in the Ease of Settling In Index, with top 3 placements in all three of its subcategories. With a 2nd place in the Expat Essentials Index, Panama also keeps the practical side of expat life simple. While it might not seem so simple when you’re in the trenches, moving to Panama is easier than moving to most places, especially when you have a support system of people who know how to get things done here. 

The Positives and Negatives of moving to Panama

Panama ranked 1st for Housing: nine in ten expats (90%) say it’s easy to find a home — more than double the global average of 44% — and housing is seen as affordable as well. Expats find getting a visa straightforward, despite the lack of online availability of administrative services ( Panama ranked 22nd for these) and ease of opening a bank account (also 22nd).

There are a million other bumps along the road for people moving to Panama (Panama finished last, 31st, in road infrastructure ;). But someone once told me this was part of the charm. And perhaps it is true, because the roads less traveled are the ones worth checking out!

Why more Expats are moving to Panama

Why more expats are choosing to move to Panama probably has a lot to do with logistics, but why they stay or leave probably has more to do with their personal values.

BBC met up with Ariel Barrionuevo, who moved to Panama’s Caribbean coast from Argentina eight years ago. The new source spoke to his sense of being rather than large accomplishments like promotions, status and wealth. The source spoke to things like sleeping more deeply and feeling more present. 

"I arrived thinking I was moving to a beautiful destination," he said. "Looking back, I was really moving towards a different way of living, one that values time over speed, experiences over possessions and connection over constant activity."

When your days start with a beach walk, what follows is often met with a softer approach. If you choose to go with the flow of slowing down, downsizing and focusing on what really matters, Panama seems to work better. Swim against the current, and life in Panama can feel like you’re drowning in WhatsApps starting with "just following up". 

The BBC also hit on some harder truths about moving to Panama. The source spoke with Reza Motalebpour, who relocated to Panama City from Canada this year. Motalebpour explained the exchange rate can make costs seem high for Canadians. But savings in areas like insurance costs and property taxes balance out the cost-of-living comparison.  

If your intersted in reading the full article on BBC click here. And if you want the full report on Panama by InterNations click here.