Looking to emigrate as a doctor? 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 doctors in 2026.
Country Rankings for Doctors
| Rank | Country | Score | Visa | Salary | Cost | QoL | Career | Best Pathway | Recognition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Canada | 8.0/10 | 8.0 | 10.0 | 5.0 | 9.0 | 7.0 | Express Entry | Yes |
| 2 | Iceland | 8.0/10 | 8.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | Residence Permit For Work (General) | Yes |
| 3 | Luxembourg | 8.0/10 | 8.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | Eu Blue Card | Yes |
| 4 | Cyprus | 8.0/10 | 8.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | Eu Blue Card | Yes |
| 5 | Germany | 7.9/10 | 8.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 9.0 | 7.0 | Skilled Worker Visa Academic | Yes |
| 6 | Netherlands | 7.7/10 | 7.0 | 10.0 | 5.0 | 9.0 | 7.0 | Highly Skilled Migrant Permit | Yes |
| 7 | Estonia | 7.7/10 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | Temporary Residence Permit For Employment | Yes |
| 8 | Finland | 7.6/10 | 6.0 | 10.0 | 6.0 | 9.0 | 7.0 | Employed Person Residence Permit | Yes |
| 9 | Portugal | 7.5/10 | 9.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | D1 Employment Visa | Yes |
| 10 | Singapore | 7.5/10 | 6.0 | 10.0 | 4.0 | 9.0 | 8.0 | Employment Pass | Yes |
| 11 | United Kingdom | 7.5/10 | 7.0 | 10.0 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | Health And Care Worker Visa | Yes |
| 12 | Czech Republic | 7.5/10 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | Employee Card | Yes |
| 13 | Greece | 7.5/10 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | Eu Blue Card | Yes |
| 14 | Hungary | 7.5/10 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | Eu Blue Card | Yes |
| 15 | Malta | 7.5/10 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | Single Permit | Yes |
| 16 | Montenegro | 7.5/10 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | Temporary Residence And Work Permit For Employment | Yes |
| 17 | Kuwait | 7.4/10 | 6.0 | 9.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | Article 18 Private Sector Work Visa | Yes |
| 18 | Denmark | 7.3/10 | 6.0 | 10.0 | 4.0 | 10.0 | 6.0 | Positive List For Higher Education | Yes |
| 19 | Sweden | 7.3/10 | 7.0 | 9.0 | 5.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | Work Permit Employer Sponsored | Yes |
| 20 | Australia | 7.2/10 | 5.0 | 10.0 | 5.0 | 9.0 | 7.0 | Skilled Independent 189 | Yes |
| 21 | United Arab Emirates | 7.2/10 | 6.0 | 10.0 | 5.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | Employment Visa Standard Work Visa | Yes |
| 22 | Hong Kong | 7.2/10 | 8.0 | 9.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | General Employment Policy (Gep) | Yes |
| 23 | Taiwan | 7.2/10 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 7.0 | Employment Gold Card | Yes |
| 24 | Slovakia | 7.2/10 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | Single Permit (Combined Work And Residence) | Yes |
| 25 | Ireland | 7.1/10 | 6.0 | 10.0 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | Critical Skills Employment Permit | Yes |
| 26 | United States | 7.1/10 | 5.0 | 10.0 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | Eb 2 Advanced Degree | Yes |
| 27 | Romania | 7.1/10 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | Standard Work Permit | Yes |
| 28 | Ecuador | 7.1/10 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | Work Visa (12 Vi) | Yes |
| 29 | Austria | 7.0/10 | 6.0 | 9.0 | 5.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | Red White Red Card Skilled Workers In Shortage | Yes |
| 30 | Switzerland | 7.0/10 | 5.0 | 10.0 | 2.0 | 10.0 | 7.0 | B Permit Skilled Worker Residence | Yes |
| 31 | Italy | 7.0/10 | 5.0 | 10.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | Eu Blue Card Italy | Yes |
| 32 | Lithuania | 7.0/10 | 6.0 | 10.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 5.0 | Eu Blue Card | Yes |
| 33 | Barbados | 7.0/10 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 7.0 | Short Term Work Permit | Yes |
| 34 | Brunei | 7.0/10 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 7.0 | Employment Pass (Ep) | Yes |
| 35 | Norway | 6.9/10 | 5.0 | 10.0 | 3.0 | 10.0 | 6.0 | Skilled Worker Permit | Yes |
| 36 | Poland | 6.9/10 | 5.0 | 10.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | Type A Work Permit | Yes |
| 37 | Belgium | 6.9/10 | 4.0 | 10.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | Eu Blue Card | Yes |
| 38 | New Zealand | 6.8/10 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | Green List Straight To Residence Visa | Yes |
| 39 | Israel | 6.8/10 | 6.0 | 9.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | B 1 Expert Work Visa | Yes |
| 40 | Albania | 6.8/10 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | Unique Permit | Yes |
| 41 | Bahrain | 6.6/10 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | Work Visa | Yes |
| 42 | Qatar | 6.5/10 | 5.0 | 9.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | Work Residence Permit | Yes |
| 43 | Latvia | 6.4/10 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 5.0 | Eu Blue Card | Yes |
| 44 | Costa Rica | 6.4/10 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | Work Visa (Empleado Residente) | Yes |
| 45 | Oman | 6.4/10 | 5.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 7.0 | Work Visa (Standard) | Yes |
| 46 | Trinidad and Tobago | 6.4/10 | 5.0 | 7.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | Work Permit (General) | Yes |
| 47 | Moldova | 6.4/10 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | Long Stay Work Visa (Type D) | Yes |
| 48 | Japan | 6.3/10 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 9.0 | 5.0 | Skilled Worker Visa Tokutei Gino | Yes |
| 49 | South Korea | 6.3/10 | 5.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | E 5 Professional Visa | Yes |
| 50 | Croatia | 6.3/10 | 5.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 5.0 | Temporary Stay Work Permit | Yes |
| 51 | Morocco | 6.3/10 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | Long Term Work Visa | Yes |
| 52 | Cambodia | 6.3/10 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | Business Visa Extension (Eb) | Yes |
| 53 | Colombia | 6.2/10 | 7.0 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | M5 Worker Visa | Yes |
| 54 | South Africa | 6.2/10 | 5.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | Critical Skills Visa | Yes |
| 55 | Russia | 6.2/10 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | Standard Work Visa | Yes |
| 56 | Spain | 6.1/10 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | Employee Work Visa | Yes |
| 57 | Malaysia | 6.1/10 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 5.0 | Employment Pass Category I | Yes |
| 58 | Chile | 6.1/10 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 5.0 | Employee Work Visa | Yes |
| 59 | Peru | 6.1/10 | 7.0 | 5.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | Temporary Worker Visa | Yes |
| 60 | France | 6.0/10 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | Salaried Employee Work Permit | Yes |
| 61 | Uruguay | 6.0/10 | 7.0 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 4.0 | Temporary Residency Work | Yes |
| 62 | Saudi Arabia | 6.0/10 | 3.0 | 10.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | Employment Visa Iqama | Yes |
| 63 | Panama | 6.0/10 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | Friendly Nations Visa | Yes |
| 64 | Paraguay | 6.0/10 | 7.0 | 5.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | Temporary Work Residence | Yes |
| 65 | North Macedonia | 5.9/10 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | Skilled Worker Permit | Yes |
| 66 | Mongolia | 5.8/10 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | Hg Work Visa (Employment Visa) | Yes |
| 67 | Kyrgyzstan | 5.8/10 | 7.0 | 4.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Employment Visa W1 With Work Permit | Yes |
| 68 | Brazil | 5.8/10 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | Work Visa | Yes |
| 69 | Slovenia | 5.7/10 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | Single Permit | Yes |
| 70 | Argentina | 5.7/10 | 7.0 | 3.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | Temporary Work Visa | Yes |
| 71 | Serbia | 5.7/10 | 8.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 3.0 | Single Permit (Residence + Work) | Yes |
| 72 | Kazakhstan | 5.7/10 | 7.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | C3 Work Visa | Yes |
| 73 | Uganda | 5.7/10 | 8.0 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | Class A Government/Diplomatic Service | Yes |
| 74 | Georgia | 5.6/10 | 7.0 | 4.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | Work Residence Permit | Yes |
| 75 | Mauritius | 5.6/10 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 9.0 | 7.0 | 4.0 | Professional Occupation Permit | Yes |
| 76 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 5.6/10 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 4.0 | Temporary Work Permit | Yes |
| 77 | Maldives | 5.6/10 | 4.0 | 7.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | Work Visa (Standard Employment) | Yes |
| 78 | Thailand | 5.5/10 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 5.0 | Smart Visa | Yes |
| 79 | Mexico | 5.5/10 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | Temporary Resident Visa | Yes |
| 80 | Turkey | 5.5/10 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | Work Permit | Yes |
| 81 | Bulgaria | 5.5/10 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | Eu Blue Card | Yes |
| 82 | Lebanon | 5.5/10 | 6.0 | 4.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Work Permit (Standard Employment) | Yes |
| 83 | Kenya | 5.4/10 | 6.0 | 4.0 | 9.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | Class D Formal Employment | Yes |
| 84 | Rwanda | 5.4/10 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | V4 Skilled Worker | Yes |
| 85 | Jamaica | 5.4/10 | 7.0 | 3.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Work Permit (General) | Yes |
| 86 | Armenia | 5.4/10 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | Work Permit + Temporary Residence Card | Yes |
| 87 | Azerbaijan | 5.4/10 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | Work Permit (General Employment) | Yes |
| 88 | Zambia | 5.4/10 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | Employment Permit | Yes |
| 89 | Uzbekistan | 5.3/10 | 7.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Employment Visa Type E | Yes |
| 90 | Iraq | 5.3/10 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | Employment Visa | Yes |
| 91 | Iran | 5.3/10 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | Work Permit Visa (Type F) | Yes |
| 92 | Latvia | 5.2/10 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 5.0 | Work Permit | Yes |
| 93 | Fiji | 5.2/10 | 6.0 | 2.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 4.0 | Work Permit | Yes |
| 94 | Vietnam | 5.2/10 | 7.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Ld1 Work Visa (Work Permit Exemption) | Yes |
| 95 | Zimbabwe | 5.2/10 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | Temporary Employment Permit | Yes |
| 96 | Kenya | 5.1/10 | 6.0 | 2.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | Work Permit Class D | Yes |
| 97 | Ukraine | 5.1/10 | 6.0 | 4.0 | 7.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | Skilled Worker Temporary Residence | Yes |
| 98 | Vanuatu | 5.0/10 | 6.0 | 2.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | Work Permit | Yes |
| 99 | Egypt | 5.0/10 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 9.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | Employment Work Permit | Yes |
| 100 | Sri Lanka | 5.0/10 | 6.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Employment Category Residence Visa | Yes |
| 101 | Dominican Republic | 5.0/10 | 7.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Business Visa For Employment Purposes (Nm1) | Yes |
| 102 | Nepal | 5.0/10 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Working Visa | Yes |
| 103 | Tajikistan | 5.0/10 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Working Visa (Type M) | Yes |
| 104 | Madagascar | 4.9/10 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | Long Stay Work Visa | Yes |
| 105 | Jordan | 4.8/10 | 3.0 | 5.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | Standard Work Permit | Yes |
| 106 | Ghana | 4.8/10 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 9.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | Discretionary Quota Work Permit | Yes |
| 107 | Tunisia | 4.8/10 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 9.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | Long Stay Work Visa (Visa D) | Yes |
| 108 | Myanmar | 4.8/10 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Employment Visa | Yes |
| 109 | Laos | 4.8/10 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Business Visa (B2) | Yes |
| 110 | Algeria | 4.7/10 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | Work Visa (Long Term) | Yes |
| 111 | Vanuatu | 4.6/10 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | Employment Visa | Yes |
| 112 | Tanzania | 4.6/10 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | Residence Permit Class A (Investor/Self Employment) | Yes |
| 113 | Mozambique | 4.6/10 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | Work Visa (General Employment) | Yes |
| 114 | China | 4.5/10 | 1.0 | 5.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | Work Permit Class B | Yes |
| 115 | Ukraine | 4.4/10 | 4.0 | 2.0 | 9.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | Work Permit | Yes |
| 116 | Libya | 4.4/10 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | Work Visa | Yes |
| 117 | Ethiopia | 4.3/10 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 9.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | Employment Work Permit | Yes |
| 118 | Sudan | 4.3/10 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | Temporary Work Visa | Yes |
Top 3 Countries in Detail
#1 Canada (8.0/10)
Gold Medal — Best Pathway: Express Entry
- Cost of living from €2000/month (Montreal)
- See all Canada visa pathways →
#2 Iceland (8.0/10)
Silver Medal — Best Pathway: Residence Permit For Work (General)
- Cost of living from €2298/month (Kópavogur)
- See all Iceland visa pathways →
#3 Luxembourg (8.0/10)
Bronze 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 →
Practical Guide Available
Looking for salary comparisons, visa accessibility tiers, and professional recognition requirements? Read our complete guide to working abroad as a doctor.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best country for doctors to emigrate in 2026?
Canada ranks #1 for doctors 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 doctors need professional recognition abroad?
It depends on the country. Some countries require license recognition or credential evaluation for doctors. Our ranking includes a recognition requirement indicator for each country.
Which countries have the easiest visa process for doctors?
Countries with high visa accessibility scores include those with dedicated skilled worker visas, shortage occupation lists, or points-based systems that favour doctors.
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 Doctor 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 doctors.
Data sourced from official government immigration portals, verified March 2026. Scores are indicative and should be used alongside professional immigration advice.