Looking to emigrate as a dentist? 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 dentists in 2026.
Country Rankings for Dentists
| Rank | Country | Score | Visa | Salary | Cost | QoL | Career | Best Pathway | Recognition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iceland | 8.0/10 | 8.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | Residence Permit For Work (General) | Yes |
| 2 | Luxembourg | 8.0/10 | 8.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | Eu Blue Card | Yes |
| 3 | Estonia | 7.7/10 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | Temporary Residence Permit For Employment | Yes |
| 4 | Finland | 7.6/10 | 6.0 | 10.0 | 6.0 | 9.0 | 7.0 | Employed Person Residence Permit | Yes |
| 5 | Germany | 7.5/10 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | Skilled Worker Visa Academic | Yes |
| 6 | Cyprus | 7.5/10 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | Eu Blue Card | Yes |
| 7 | Kuwait | 7.4/10 | 6.0 | 9.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | Article 18 Private Sector Work Visa | Yes |
| 8 | Canada | 7.3/10 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | Express Entry | Yes |
| 9 | Portugal | 7.3/10 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | D1 Employment Visa | Yes |
| 10 | Singapore | 7.3/10 | 6.0 | 10.0 | 4.0 | 9.0 | 7.0 | Employment Pass | Yes |
| 11 | United Kingdom | 7.3/10 | 7.0 | 10.0 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | Health And Care Worker Visa | Yes |
| 12 | Czech Republic | 7.2/10 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | Employee Card | Yes |
| 13 | Greece | 7.2/10 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | Eu Blue Card | Yes |
| 14 | Hungary | 7.2/10 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | Eu Blue Card | Yes |
| 15 | Malta | 7.2/10 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | Single Permit | Yes |
| 16 | Slovakia | 7.2/10 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | Single Permit (Combined Work And Residence) | Yes |
| 17 | Denmark | 7.1/10 | 6.0 | 9.0 | 4.0 | 10.0 | 6.0 | Positive List For Higher Education | Yes |
| 18 | Netherlands | 7.1/10 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | Highly Skilled Migrant Permit | Yes |
| 19 | Sweden | 7.1/10 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | Work Permit Employer Sponsored | Yes |
| 20 | United States | 7.1/10 | 5.0 | 10.0 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | Eb 2 Advanced Degree | Yes |
| 21 | Montenegro | 7.1/10 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | Temporary Residence And Work Permit For Employment | Yes |
| 22 | United Arab Emirates | 7.0/10 | 6.0 | 10.0 | 5.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | Employment Visa Standard Work Visa | Yes |
| 23 | Italy | 7.0/10 | 5.0 | 10.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | Eu Blue Card Italy | Yes |
| 24 | Lithuania | 7.0/10 | 6.0 | 10.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 5.0 | Eu Blue Card | Yes |
| 25 | Austria | 6.9/10 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | Red White Red Card Skilled Workers In Shortage | Yes |
| 26 | Norway | 6.9/10 | 5.0 | 10.0 | 3.0 | 10.0 | 6.0 | Skilled Worker Permit | Yes |
| 27 | Belgium | 6.9/10 | 4.0 | 10.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | Eu Blue Card | Yes |
| 28 | Australia | 6.8/10 | 5.0 | 9.0 | 5.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | Skilled Independent 189 | Yes |
| 29 | Switzerland | 6.8/10 | 5.0 | 10.0 | 2.0 | 10.0 | 6.0 | B Permit Skilled Worker Residence | Yes |
| 30 | Hong Kong | 6.8/10 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 7.0 | General Employment Policy (Gep) | Yes |
| 31 | Taiwan | 6.8/10 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | Employment Gold Card | Yes |
| 32 | Israel | 6.8/10 | 6.0 | 9.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | B 1 Expert Work Visa | Yes |
| 33 | Ireland | 6.7/10 | 6.0 | 9.0 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | Critical Skills Employment Permit | Yes |
| 34 | Romania | 6.7/10 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | Standard Work Permit | Yes |
| 35 | Ecuador | 6.7/10 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | Work Visa (12 Vi) | Yes |
| 36 | Barbados | 6.7/10 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | Short Term Work Permit | Yes |
| 37 | Brunei | 6.7/10 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | Employment Pass (Ep) | Yes |
| 38 | New Zealand | 6.6/10 | 6.0 | 7.0 | 5.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | Green List Straight To Residence Visa | Yes |
| 39 | Poland | 6.5/10 | 5.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | Type A Work Permit | Yes |
| 40 | Qatar | 6.5/10 | 5.0 | 9.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | Work Residence Permit | Yes |
| 41 | Latvia | 6.4/10 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 5.0 | Eu Blue Card | Yes |
| 42 | Costa Rica | 6.4/10 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | Work Visa (Empleado Residente) | Yes |
| 43 | Oman | 6.4/10 | 5.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 7.0 | Work Visa (Standard) | Yes |
| 44 | Morocco | 6.3/10 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | Long Term Work Visa | Yes |
| 45 | Albania | 6.3/10 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 4.0 | Unique Permit | Yes |
| 46 | South Korea | 6.2/10 | 5.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | E 5 Professional Visa | Yes |
| 47 | Bahrain | 6.2/10 | 6.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 7.0 | 5.0 | Work Visa | Yes |
| 48 | Colombia | 6.2/10 | 7.0 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | M5 Worker Visa | Yes |
| 49 | Russia | 6.2/10 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | Standard Work Visa | Yes |
| 50 | Japan | 6.1/10 | 4.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 9.0 | 5.0 | Skilled Worker Visa Tokutei Gino | Yes |
| 51 | Croatia | 6.1/10 | 5.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 5.0 | Temporary Stay Work Permit | Yes |
| 52 | Saudi Arabia | 6.0/10 | 3.0 | 10.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | Employment Visa Iqama | Yes |
| 53 | Panama | 6.0/10 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | Friendly Nations Visa | Yes |
| 54 | Trinidad and Tobago | 6.0/10 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | Work Permit (General) | Yes |
| 55 | Moldova | 6.0/10 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 4.0 | Long Stay Work Visa (Type D) | Yes |
| 56 | Spain | 5.9/10 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | Employee Work Visa | Yes |
| 57 | Malaysia | 5.9/10 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 5.0 | Employment Pass Category I | Yes |
| 58 | Chile | 5.9/10 | 6.0 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 5.0 | Employee Work Visa | Yes |
| 59 | Cambodia | 5.9/10 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | Business Visa Extension (Eb) | Yes |
| 60 | France | 5.8/10 | 4.0 | 7.0 | 5.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | Salaried Employee Work Permit | Yes |
| 61 | Uruguay | 5.8/10 | 7.0 | 3.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 4.0 | Temporary Residency Work | Yes |
| 62 | North Macedonia | 5.8/10 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | Skilled Worker Permit | Yes |
| 63 | South Africa | 5.8/10 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | Critical Skills Visa | Yes |
| 64 | Peru | 5.8/10 | 7.0 | 4.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Temporary Worker Visa | Yes |
| 65 | Kyrgyzstan | 5.8/10 | 7.0 | 4.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Employment Visa W1 With Work Permit | Yes |
| 66 | Serbia | 5.7/10 | 8.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 3.0 | Single Permit (Residence + Work) | Yes |
| 67 | Dominican Republic | 5.7/10 | 7.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | Business Visa For Employment Purposes (Nm1) | Yes |
| 68 | Kazakhstan | 5.7/10 | 7.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | C3 Work Visa | Yes |
| 69 | Uganda | 5.7/10 | 8.0 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | Class A Government/Diplomatic Service | Yes |
| 70 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 5.6/10 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 4.0 | Temporary Work Permit | Yes |
| 71 | Paraguay | 5.6/10 | 7.0 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Temporary Work Residence | Yes |
| 72 | Argentina | 5.5/10 | 7.0 | 2.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | Temporary Work Visa | Yes |
| 73 | Georgia | 5.4/10 | 7.0 | 3.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | Work Residence Permit | Yes |
| 74 | Mauritius | 5.4/10 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 9.0 | 7.0 | 4.0 | Professional Occupation Permit | Yes |
| 75 | Kenya | 5.4/10 | 6.0 | 4.0 | 9.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | Class D Formal Employment | Yes |
| 76 | Jamaica | 5.4/10 | 7.0 | 3.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Work Permit (General) | Yes |
| 77 | Armenia | 5.4/10 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | Work Permit + Temporary Residence Card | Yes |
| 78 | Mongolia | 5.4/10 | 6.0 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Hg Work Visa (Employment Visa) | Yes |
| 79 | Brazil | 5.4/10 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | Work Visa | Yes |
| 80 | Slovenia | 5.3/10 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 4.0 | Single Permit | Yes |
| 81 | Mexico | 5.3/10 | 6.0 | 4.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | Temporary Resident Visa | Yes |
| 82 | Turkey | 5.3/10 | 6.0 | 2.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | Work Permit | Yes |
| 83 | Bulgaria | 5.3/10 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | Eu Blue Card | Yes |
| 84 | Uzbekistan | 5.3/10 | 7.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Employment Visa Type E | Yes |
| 85 | Iraq | 5.3/10 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | Employment Visa | Yes |
| 86 | Fiji | 5.2/10 | 6.0 | 2.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 4.0 | Work Permit | Yes |
| 87 | Thailand | 5.2/10 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 5.0 | Smart Visa | Yes |
| 88 | Maldives | 5.2/10 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | Work Visa (Standard Employment) | Yes |
| 89 | Lebanon | 5.2/10 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Work Permit (Standard Employment) | Yes |
| 90 | Ukraine | 5.1/10 | 6.0 | 4.0 | 7.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | Skilled Worker Temporary Residence | Yes |
| 91 | Latvia | 5.0/10 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 4.0 | Work Permit | Yes |
| 92 | Vanuatu | 5.0/10 | 6.0 | 2.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | Work Permit | Yes |
| 93 | Rwanda | 5.0/10 | 5.0 | 2.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | V4 Skilled Worker | Yes |
| 94 | Azerbaijan | 5.0/10 | 6.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Work Permit (General Employment) | Yes |
| 95 | Nepal | 5.0/10 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Working Visa | Yes |
| 96 | Tajikistan | 5.0/10 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Working Visa (Type M) | Yes |
| 97 | Zambia | 5.0/10 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | Employment Permit | Yes |
| 98 | Kenya | 4.9/10 | 6.0 | 2.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | Work Permit Class D | Yes |
| 99 | Vietnam | 4.9/10 | 7.0 | 3.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Ld1 Work Visa (Work Permit Exemption) | Yes |
| 100 | Iran | 4.9/10 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | Work Permit Visa (Type F) | Yes |
| 101 | Madagascar | 4.9/10 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | Long Stay Work Visa | Yes |
| 102 | Zimbabwe | 4.9/10 | 6.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | Temporary Employment Permit | Yes |
| 103 | Ghana | 4.8/10 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 9.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | Discretionary Quota Work Permit | Yes |
| 104 | Sri Lanka | 4.8/10 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Employment Category Residence Visa | Yes |
| 105 | Tunisia | 4.8/10 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 9.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | Long Stay Work Visa (Visa D) | Yes |
| 106 | Myanmar | 4.8/10 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Employment Visa | Yes |
| 107 | Laos | 4.8/10 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Business Visa (B2) | Yes |
| 108 | Vanuatu | 4.6/10 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | Employment Visa | Yes |
| 109 | Egypt | 4.6/10 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 9.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | Employment Work Permit | Yes |
| 110 | Tanzania | 4.6/10 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | Residence Permit Class A (Investor/Self Employment) | Yes |
| 111 | Mozambique | 4.6/10 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | Work Visa (General Employment) | Yes |
| 112 | Jordan | 4.5/10 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | Standard Work Permit | Yes |
| 113 | Algeria | 4.4/10 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | Work Visa (Long Term) | Yes |
| 114 | Libya | 4.4/10 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | Work Visa | Yes |
| 115 | China | 4.3/10 | 1.0 | 4.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | Work Permit Class B | Yes |
| 116 | Sudan | 4.3/10 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | Temporary Work Visa | Yes |
| 117 | Ukraine | 4.2/10 | 4.0 | 2.0 | 9.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 | Work Permit | Yes |
| 118 | Ethiopia | 4.1/10 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 9.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | Employment Work Permit | Yes |
Top 3 Countries in Detail
#1 Iceland (8.0/10)
Gold Medal — Best Pathway: Residence Permit For Work (General)
- Cost of living from €2298/month (Kópavogur)
- See all Iceland visa pathways →
#2 Luxembourg (8.0/10)
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 Estonia (7.7/10)
Bronze Medal — Best Pathway: Temporary Residence Permit For Employment
- Income requirement: €1,252/monthly
- Processing: 60-60 days
- Key info: Tied to specific employer, A2 Estonian required after 5 years, subject to immigration quota, labor market test required
- Cost of living from €740/month (Narva)
- See all Estonia 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 dentist.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best country for dentists to emigrate in 2026?
Iceland ranks #1 for dentists in 2026 with a composite score of 8.0/10, based on visa accessibility, salary competitiveness, cost of living, quality of life, and career growth opportunities.
Do dentists need professional recognition abroad?
It depends on the country. Some countries require license recognition or credential evaluation for dentists. Our ranking includes a recognition requirement indicator for each country.
Which countries have the easiest visa process for dentists?
Countries with high visa accessibility scores include those with dedicated skilled worker visas, shortage occupation lists, or points-based systems that favour dentists.
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 Dentist 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 dentists.
Data sourced from official government immigration portals, verified March 2026. Scores are indicative and should be used alongside professional immigration advice.