The question "which country can I move to?" sounds simple but the answer is different for everyone. Your nationality, occupation, and income all determine your visa match — the countries where you actually have a realistic path to residency. This guide helps you work out which countries are a genuine match for your specific profile.
The two types of "can I move there?"
There's an important distinction most people miss when asking which country they can move to:
- Technically eligible — the visa exists and you meet the criteria on paper
- Practically achievable — you can realistically meet the requirements (salary threshold, job offer, language test, etc.) within your timeline
A guide that lists "18 countries you can move to" isn't useful if it ignores your specific situation. This guide covers both dimensions — who typically qualifies for what, and how to check your actual eligibility.
Which countries can I move to based on nationality?
If you hold an EU/EEA passport
You can live and work freely in all 27 EU member states plus Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein — no visa required. This means Germany, France, Portugal, Spain, Netherlands, Ireland, Denmark, Estonia, Malta, and Norway are all open to you without any application process. For non-EU countries like the UAE, Singapore, Australia, Canada, and the USA, you'll still need a visa.
If you hold a UK passport
Post-Brexit, UK nationals no longer have automatic EU rights. You need a visa for all EU countries for stays beyond 90 days. The good news: UK nationals are eligible for most skilled worker, digital nomad, and passive income visa categories across Europe without nationality-based exclusions. Countries like Portugal, Spain, and Germany have significant UK expat communities for exactly this reason.
If you hold a US, Canadian, Australian, or New Zealand passport
Strong passports with good treaty relationships across Europe and Asia-Pacific. You're eligible for most visa categories in all 18 countries on VisaMatch. The main constraints are income requirements (digital nomad visas) and occupation (skilled worker visas) rather than nationality.
If you hold an Indian, Nigerian, Pakistani, or Philippine passport
Fewer automatic rights but still a wide range of options, particularly through skilled worker routes. Canada, Germany, Australia, and the UAE have large diaspora communities and established visa pathways for these nationalities. Some digital nomad visas have nationality-based consulate requirements that add processing time.
Which countries can I move to based on occupation?
Your job is often the single biggest factor in how many countries you can realistically move to:
Healthcare workers (doctors, nurses)
Healthcare is in shortage almost everywhere. Doctors and nurses are eligible for skilled worker visas in Australia, Canada, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, and the UK with employer sponsorship. Some countries (Australia, Canada) have dedicated healthcare occupation streams. If you're a nurse, see the nurse visa guide for Australia or check any country page for healthcare-specific options.
Software engineers and tech workers
Tech workers have the broadest options globally. Almost every country has a shortage of software engineers, which means faster processing, lower salary thresholds, and more routes available. See our full guide for software engineers. Germany, Canada, Netherlands, Portugal, and Singapore are consistently the strongest visa matches for tech workers.
Trades and skilled manual workers
Electricians, plumbers, construction workers — many countries have genuine shortages. Australia's 482 visa, Canada's Provincial Nominee Programs, and Germany's trades visa are worth exploring. The requirement is usually a formal qualification recognised in the destination country.
Remote workers and freelancers
If your work location is flexible, your options expand significantly. You can move to any of the 10+ countries with digital nomad visa programs — no local employer or job offer needed. See the digital nomad visa guide for the full breakdown.
Which countries can I move to based on income?
If you're not relying on a job offer or employer sponsorship, income requirements are the main gating factor:
| Monthly income | Countries realistically accessible |
|---|---|
| €760–€1,500 | Portugal (D7 passive income visa) |
| €1,500–€2,500 | Portugal D7, Spain non-lucrative, Malta |
| €2,500–€3,500 | Portugal D8, Spain digital nomad, Germany, Estonia, UAE |
| €3,500+ | All digital nomad and remote work visa options, Norway, Switzerland |
Country-by-country: who can move where most easily?
Portugal — easiest overall entry for most profiles
The D7 passive income visa (€760/month minimum) is the most accessible long-term residency route in Western Europe. The D8 digital nomad visa suits remote workers. The Tech Visa suits tech professionals. And the path to permanent residency takes just 5 years. Portugal consistently ranks as the most accessible EU country for non-EU nationals across all income brackets.
Germany — best for qualified professionals
Germany has a significant labour shortage and has actively liberalised its skilled immigration rules. The Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz (Skilled Immigration Act) created faster, more accessible routes for qualified professionals across most fields. If you have a recognised degree or vocational qualification, Germany is one of the most realistic destinations in Europe — even without a job offer via the 6-month job seeker visa.
Canada — best path to permanent residency
Canada's Express Entry system is one of the clearest paths from visa to permanent residency in the world. If you score enough CRS points (based on age, education, work experience, and language ability), you can get PR in 6–18 months without needing a job offer first. Provincial Nominee Programs offer additional routes for specific occupations and regions.
UAE — best for high earners, tax-free
Zero personal income tax. The UAE is financially compelling for professionals earning above USD 4,000/month. The Employment Pass, Freelance Visa, Golden Visa, and Remote Work Visa cover most profiles. The trade-off: limited path to long-term permanent residency for most visa categories.
Australia — best for English speakers from eligible countries
Australia's skilled migration points test (189, 190) rewards youth, English proficiency, and skilled occupation experience. If you score 65+ points, you can apply for permanent residency without a job offer. Healthcare workers, engineers, and IT professionals typically score well. Processing times have improved significantly since 2024.
Find your visa match across 18 countries
The fastest way to find your visa match is to use VisaMatch — enter your nationality, occupation, income, and goal, and it checks 1,001 visa types across 18 countries in real time. You'll see every country where you have at least one viable visa match, with details on requirements, costs, and PR pathways.
Most users find they have more visa matches — and in more countries — than they expected. The tool takes 60 seconds and is free.
If you're specifically looking to move without a job offer, see our visa match guide for moving without a job offer. To check what specific visas you qualify for, see the visa eligibility guide.