The 5 Worst Countries for Expats (According to 10,000+ People Who Actually Live There)
Everyone loves a fantasy about moving abroad.
A slower life.
A nicer climate.
A mysterious lover who owns a vineyard.
But if you’re actually planning a relocation — and not just whispering “Italy?” to Zillow at 1 a.m. — you need more than dreamy Pinterest boards. You need reality. And reality says: some countries are gorgeous… yet gloriously difficult to live in.
Based on the insights of more than 10,000 expats, here are the five lowest-ranked countries when it comes to cost of living, ease of settling in, bureaucracy, and work–life balance.
Not to scare you.
Just to prepare you.
#5 — Germany: Efficiency Everywhere… Except Where You Need It
Germany is famous for order, engineering, and trains that run like Swiss watches.
But the paperwork?
A tragic subplot.
Expats report:
- Endless forms
- Cash-only surprises in 2025
- In-person appointments for things that should be digital
- Weeks-long waits for simple approvals
Yet… once you’re inside the system, the benefits are generous, the healthcare is strong, salaries are solid, and the lifestyle is stable.
Verdict: Great for structure. Terrible for spontaneity.
#4 — United Kingdom: Good Job Market, Bad Math
The UK attracts ambitious people.
Then hands them a rent bill that makes their vision blur.
Expats say:
- Housing can consume half your income
- Groceries and transportation aren’t far behind
- Sunshine is elusive
- Visa paths are limited unless you’re working or studying
As one London expat put it:
“I love my job. I just wish I had money left after living near it.”
Verdict: Brilliant culture. Brutal expenses. Bring a budget and an umbrella.
#3 — Canada: Wonderful People, Wild Prices
Canada is polite, multicultural, scenic — and astonishingly expensive in many cities.
Expats consistently mention:
- Rent prices comparable to NYC or Miami
- Difficulty saving even with a good salary
- Housing bidding wars that feel like sport
- A cost of living that never got the memo about “affordability”
Culturally? Lovely.
Financially? You’ll feel it.
Verdict: Come for the calm. Stay if you can afford it.
#2 — Turkey: Beautiful, Affordable… and Economically Unpredictable
Turkey is warm, welcoming, stunning, and known for low cost of living if you earn in a foreign currency.
But expats working locally? Different story.
Common complaints:
- Rapid inflation
- Constant price changes
- Rules and residency requirements that evolve unexpectedly
- Local salaries that can’t keep up
It’s breathtaking — but budgeting can feel like juggling fire.
Verdict: A dream if you’re remote-working. A challenge if you’re earning locally.
#1 — Kuwait: High Income, Low Lifestyle
Kuwait has ranked near the bottom of expat satisfaction for seven straight years.
Expats describe:
- Extreme heat (months of “don’t go outside” weather)
- Limited social and leisure opportunities
- Difficult cultural integration
- A lifestyle centered around work and saving — not exploration
People go to Kuwait for one reason:
Money.
And they often leave as soon as they’ve saved enough.
Verdict: Financially rewarding. Emotionally… muted.
Reality Check: Hard Doesn’t Mean Bad
Every country on this list has people who absolutely love living there.
But those people typically:
- Did their research
- Accepted the trade-offs
- Chose it for specific lifestyle or financial reasons
- Arrived with realistic expectations
If you’re deciding where to move, this list isn’t a warning — it’s a compass.
