Looking to emigrate as a chef? We ranked 20 countries across five dimensions — visa accessibility, salary competitiveness, cost of living, quality of life, and career growth — to find the best destinations for chefs in 2026.
Country Rankings for Chefs
| Rank | Country | Score | Visa | Salary | Cost | QoL | Career | Best Pathway | Recognition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iceland | 7.5/10 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | Residence Permit For Work (General) | No |
| 2 | Luxembourg | 7.5/10 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | Eu Blue Card | No |
| 3 | Finland | 7.1/10 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 9.0 | 7.0 | Employed Person Residence Permit | No |
| 4 | Canada | 7.0/10 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | Atlantic Immigration | No |
| 5 | Germany | 6.9/10 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | Skilled Worker Visa Vocational | No |
| 6 | Portugal | 6.9/10 | 9.0 | 4.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | D1 Employment Visa | No |
| 7 | United States | 6.9/10 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | H 2B Temporary Non Agricultural | No |
| 8 | Estonia | 6.9/10 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | Temporary Residence Permit For Employment | No |
| 9 | Denmark | 6.8/10 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | 10.0 | 6.0 | Positive List For Skilled Work | No |
| 10 | Switzerland | 6.8/10 | 6.0 | 9.0 | 2.0 | 10.0 | 6.0 | L Permit Short Term Work | No |
| 11 | Netherlands | 6.7/10 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | Single Permit Gvva | No |
| 12 | Singapore | 6.7/10 | 6.0 | 7.0 | 4.0 | 9.0 | 7.0 | S Pass | No |
| 13 | United Kingdom | 6.6/10 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | Skilled Worker Visa | No |
| 14 | Australia | 6.5/10 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | Temporary Skill Shortage 482 | No |
| 15 | Austria | 6.5/10 | 7.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | Red White Red Card Other Key Workers | No |
| 16 | Japan | 6.5/10 | 7.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | Skilled Worker Visa Tokutei Gino | No |
| 17 | Sweden | 6.5/10 | 7.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | Work Permit Employer Sponsored | No |
| 18 | United Arab Emirates | 6.5/10 | 6.0 | 7.0 | 5.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | Employment Visa Standard Work Visa | No |
| 19 | Norway | 6.4/10 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 10.0 | 6.0 | Skilled Worker Permit | No |
| 20 | Spain | 6.4/10 | 7.0 | 4.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | Employee Work Visa | No |
| 21 | Belgium | 6.4/10 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | Eu Blue Card | No |
| 22 | France | 6.3/10 | 7.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | Salaried Employee Work Permit | No |
| 23 | Greece | 6.3/10 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 4.0 | Eu Blue Card | No |
| 24 | Hungary | 6.3/10 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 4.0 | Eu Blue Card | No |
| 25 | Malta | 6.3/10 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 4.0 | Single Permit | No |
| 26 | Cyprus | 6.3/10 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 4.0 | Eu Blue Card | No |
| 27 | Slovakia | 6.3/10 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 4.0 | Single Permit (Combined Work And Residence) | No |
| 28 | Montenegro | 6.3/10 | 8.0 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 3.0 | Temporary Residence And Work Permit For Employment | No |
| 29 | New Zealand | 6.2/10 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | Accredited Employer Work Visa | No |
| 30 | South Korea | 6.2/10 | 7.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | E 7 Foreign National Of Special Ability | No |
| 31 | Ireland | 6.1/10 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | General Employment Permit | No |
| 32 | Italy | 6.0/10 | 6.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | Eu Blue Card Italy | No |
| 33 | Lithuania | 6.0/10 | 7.0 | 4.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 5.0 | Eu Blue Card | No |
| 34 | Costa Rica | 6.0/10 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | Work Visa (Empleado Residente) | No |
| 35 | Czech Republic | 6.0/10 | 8.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 3.0 | Employee Card | No |
| 36 | Panama | 6.0/10 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | Friendly Nations Visa | No |
| 37 | Romania | 5.9/10 | 7.0 | 4.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 3.0 | Standard Work Permit | No |
| 38 | Ecuador | 5.9/10 | 8.0 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Work Visa (12 Vi) | No |
| 39 | Bahrain | 5.8/10 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 7.0 | 5.0 | Work Visa | No |
| 40 | Poland | 5.8/10 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | Type A Work Permit | No |
| 41 | Uruguay | 5.8/10 | 8.0 | 2.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 4.0 | Temporary Residency Work | No |
| 42 | Argentina | 5.8/10 | 8.0 | 2.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | Temporary Work Visa | No |
| 43 | Chile | 5.8/10 | 7.0 | 2.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 5.0 | Employee Work Visa | No |
| 44 | Latvia | 5.8/10 | 7.0 | 4.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 4.0 | Eu Blue Card | No |
| 45 | Barbados | 5.8/10 | 7.0 | 5.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | Short Term Work Permit | No |
| 46 | Brunei | 5.8/10 | 7.0 | 5.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | Employment Pass (Ep) | No |
| 47 | Hong Kong | 5.7/10 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | General Employment Policy (Gep) | No |
| 48 | Serbia | 5.7/10 | 8.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 3.0 | Single Permit (Residence + Work) | No |
| 49 | Albania | 5.7/10 | 8.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 3.0 | Unique Permit | No |
| 50 | Slovenia | 5.6/10 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | Single Permit | No |
| 51 | North Macedonia | 5.6/10 | 7.0 | 3.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | Skilled Worker Permit | No |
| 52 | Israel | 5.6/10 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | B 1 Expert Work Visa | No |
| 53 | Jamaica | 5.6/10 | 7.0 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Work Permit (General) | No |
| 54 | Moldova | 5.6/10 | 6.0 | 4.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 3.0 | Long Stay Work Visa (Type D) | No |
| 55 | Malaysia | 5.5/10 | 6.0 | 2.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 5.0 | Employment Pass Category I | No |
| 56 | Turkey | 5.5/10 | 7.0 | 2.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | Work Permit | No |
| 57 | Georgia | 5.5/10 | 8.0 | 2.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | Work Residence Permit | No |
| 58 | Mauritius | 5.5/10 | 6.0 | 2.0 | 9.0 | 7.0 | 4.0 | Professional Occupation Permit | No |
| 59 | Colombia | 5.5/10 | 7.0 | 3.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | M5 Worker Visa | No |
| 60 | Taiwan | 5.5/10 | 8.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Employment Gold Card | No |
| 61 | Peru | 5.5/10 | 7.0 | 3.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Temporary Worker Visa | No |
| 62 | Kyrgyzstan | 5.5/10 | 7.0 | 3.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Employment Visa W1 With Work Permit | No |
| 63 | Latvia | 5.4/10 | 6.0 | 2.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 5.0 | Work Permit | No |
| 64 | Croatia | 5.4/10 | 6.0 | 2.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 5.0 | Temporary Stay Work Permit | No |
| 65 | Rwanda | 5.4/10 | 7.0 | 2.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | V4 Skilled Worker | No |
| 66 | Paraguay | 5.4/10 | 7.0 | 3.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Temporary Work Residence | No |
| 67 | Uganda | 5.4/10 | 8.0 | 3.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | Class A Government/Diplomatic Service | No |
| 68 | Mexico | 5.2/10 | 7.0 | 2.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | Temporary Resident Visa | No |
| 69 | Bulgaria | 5.2/10 | 6.0 | 2.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | Eu Blue Card | No |
| 70 | Kenya | 5.2/10 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 9.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | Class D Formal Employment | No |
| 71 | Cambodia | 5.2/10 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Business Visa Extension (Eb) | No |
| 72 | Trinidad and Tobago | 5.2/10 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Work Permit (General) | No |
| 73 | Russia | 5.2/10 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 3.0 | Standard Work Visa | No |
| 74 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 5.2/10 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 3.0 | Temporary Work Permit | No |
| 75 | Lebanon | 5.2/10 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Work Permit (Standard Employment) | No |
| 76 | China | 5.1/10 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | Work Permit Class B | No |
| 77 | Thailand | 5.1/10 | 5.0 | 2.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 5.0 | Smart Visa | No |
| 78 | Saudi Arabia | 5.1/10 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | Employment Visa Iqama | No |
| 79 | South Africa | 5.1/10 | 7.0 | 2.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | Critical Skills Visa | No |
| 80 | Kuwait | 5.1/10 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Article 18 Private Sector Work Visa | No |
| 81 | Mongolia | 5.1/10 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Hg Work Visa (Employment Visa) | No |
| 82 | Fiji | 5.0/10 | 6.0 | 1.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 4.0 | Work Permit | No |
| 83 | Dominican Republic | 5.0/10 | 7.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Business Visa For Employment Purposes (Nm1) | No |
| 84 | Kazakhstan | 5.0/10 | 7.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | C3 Work Visa | No |
| 85 | Nepal | 5.0/10 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Working Visa | No |
| 86 | Uzbekistan | 5.0/10 | 7.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Employment Visa Type E | No |
| 87 | Tajikistan | 5.0/10 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Working Visa (Type M) | No |
| 88 | Brazil | 5.0/10 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Work Visa | No |
| 89 | Qatar | 4.9/10 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | Work Residence Permit | No |
| 90 | Vietnam | 4.9/10 | 7.0 | 3.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Ld1 Work Visa (Work Permit Exemption) | No |
| 91 | Morocco | 4.9/10 | 7.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | Long Term Work Visa | No |
| 92 | Vanuatu | 4.8/10 | 6.0 | 1.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | Work Permit | No |
| 93 | Ukraine | 4.8/10 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 7.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | Skilled Worker Temporary Residence | No |
| 94 | Ghana | 4.8/10 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 9.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | Discretionary Quota Work Permit | No |
| 95 | Sri Lanka | 4.8/10 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Employment Category Residence Visa | No |
| 96 | Oman | 4.8/10 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Work Visa (Standard) | No |
| 97 | Armenia | 4.8/10 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Work Permit + Temporary Residence Card | No |
| 98 | Azerbaijan | 4.8/10 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Work Permit (General Employment) | No |
| 99 | Tunisia | 4.8/10 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 9.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | Long Stay Work Visa (Visa D) | No |
| 100 | Myanmar | 4.8/10 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Employment Visa | No |
| 101 | Laos | 4.8/10 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Business Visa (B2) | No |
| 102 | Kenya | 4.7/10 | 6.0 | 1.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | Work Permit Class D | No |
| 103 | Egypt | 4.7/10 | 5.0 | 2.0 | 9.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | Employment Work Permit | No |
| 104 | Iraq | 4.7/10 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Employment Visa | No |
| 105 | Madagascar | 4.7/10 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | Long Stay Work Visa | No |
| 106 | Ukraine | 4.6/10 | 6.0 | 1.0 | 9.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | Work Permit | No |
| 107 | Tanzania | 4.6/10 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | Residence Permit Class A (Investor/Self Employment) | No |
| 108 | Mozambique | 4.6/10 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | Work Visa (General Employment) | No |
| 109 | Zimbabwe | 4.6/10 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | Temporary Employment Permit | No |
| 110 | Zambia | 4.6/10 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 2.0 | Employment Permit | No |
| 111 | Ethiopia | 4.5/10 | 5.0 | 2.0 | 9.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | Employment Work Permit | No |
| 112 | Iran | 4.5/10 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Work Permit Visa (Type F) | No |
| 113 | Jordan | 4.4/10 | 4.0 | 2.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | Standard Work Permit | No |
| 114 | Vanuatu | 4.4/10 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | Employment Visa | No |
| 115 | Maldives | 4.4/10 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Work Visa (Standard Employment) | No |
| 116 | Algeria | 4.4/10 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | Work Visa (Long Term) | No |
| 117 | Libya | 4.4/10 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | Work Visa | No |
| 118 | Sudan | 4.3/10 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | Temporary Work Visa | No |
Top 3 Countries in Detail
#1 Iceland (7.5/10)
Gold Medal — Best Pathway: Residence Permit For Work (General)
- Cost of living from €2298/month (Kópavogur)
- See all Iceland visa pathways →
#2 Luxembourg (7.5/10)
Silver Medal — Best Pathway: Eu Blue Card
- Income requirement: €5,284/monthly
- Processing: 56-84 days
- Key info: Very high salary threshold increased to €63,408 annually as of March 2025. Employer must prove no EU candidate available. Labour market test required.
- Cost of living from €2000/month (Differdange)
- See all Luxembourg visa pathways →
#3 Finland (7.1/10)
Bronze Medal — Best Pathway: Employed Person Residence Permit
- Income requirement: €1,463/monthly
- Processing: 21-42 days
- Key info: Subject to labour market testing in most cases. Must meet collective agreement wages. Cannot start working before permit granted.
- Cost of living from €1100/month (Turku)
- See all Finland visa pathways →
Practical Guide Available
Looking for salary comparisons, visa accessibility tiers, and professional recognition requirements? Read our complete guide to working abroad as a chef.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best country for chefs to emigrate in 2026?
Iceland ranks #1 for chefs in 2026 with a composite score of 7.5/10, based on visa accessibility, salary competitiveness, cost of living, quality of life, and career growth opportunities.
Do chefs need professional recognition abroad?
It depends on the country. Some countries require license recognition or credential evaluation for chefs. Our ranking includes a recognition requirement indicator for each country.
Which countries have the easiest visa process for chefs?
Countries with high visa accessibility scores include those with dedicated skilled worker visas, shortage occupation lists, or points-based systems that favour chefs.
How are these country rankings calculated?
Rankings are based on five equally weighted dimensions: visa accessibility (how easy to get a work visa), salary competitiveness (earning potential), cost of living (affordability), quality of life (safety, healthcare, infrastructure), and career growth (job market strength). Each dimension is scored 1-10.
Can I emigrate as a Chef without a job offer?
Several countries offer points-based immigration (Canada, Australia, New Zealand) or job seeker visas (Germany Chancenkarte) that don't require a job offer. Digital nomad visas are also an option for remote chefs.
Data sourced from official government immigration portals, verified March 2026. Scores are indicative and should be used alongside professional immigration advice.