Looking to emigrate as a pharmacist? 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 pharmacists in 2026.
Country Rankings for Pharmacists
| 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 | Finland | 7.6/10 | 6.0 | 10.0 | 6.0 | 9.0 | 7.0 | Employed Person Residence Permit | Yes |
| 4 | Kuwait | 7.4/10 | 6.0 | 9.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | Article 18 Private Sector Work Visa | Yes |
| 5 | Estonia | 7.3/10 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | Temporary Residence Permit For Employment | Yes |
| 6 | Canada | 7.2/10 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 5.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | Express Entry | Yes |
| 7 | Czech Republic | 7.2/10 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | Employee Card | Yes |
| 8 | Greece | 7.2/10 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | Eu Blue Card | Yes |
| 9 | Hungary | 7.2/10 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | Eu Blue Card | Yes |
| 10 | Malta | 7.2/10 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | Single Permit | Yes |
| 11 | Cyprus | 7.2/10 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | Eu Blue Card | Yes |
| 12 | Germany | 7.1/10 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | Skilled Worker Visa Academic | Yes |
| 13 | Portugal | 7.1/10 | 9.0 | 5.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | D1 Employment Visa | Yes |
| 14 | United States | 7.1/10 | 5.0 | 10.0 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | Eb 2 Advanced Degree | Yes |
| 15 | United Kingdom | 7.0/10 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | Health And Care Worker Visa | Yes |
| 16 | Denmark | 6.9/10 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 4.0 | 10.0 | 6.0 | Positive List For Higher Education | Yes |
| 17 | Netherlands | 6.9/10 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 5.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | Highly Skilled Migrant Permit | Yes |
| 18 | Singapore | 6.9/10 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 4.0 | 9.0 | 7.0 | Employment Pass | Yes |
| 19 | United Arab Emirates | 6.9/10 | 6.0 | 9.0 | 5.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | Employment Visa Standard Work Visa | Yes |
| 20 | Belgium | 6.9/10 | 4.0 | 10.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | Eu Blue Card | Yes |
| 21 | Switzerland | 6.8/10 | 5.0 | 10.0 | 2.0 | 10.0 | 6.0 | B Permit Skilled Worker Residence | Yes |
| 22 | Italy | 6.8/10 | 5.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | Eu Blue Card Italy | Yes |
| 23 | Taiwan | 6.8/10 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | Employment Gold Card | Yes |
| 24 | Israel | 6.8/10 | 6.0 | 9.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | B 1 Expert Work Visa | Yes |
| 25 | Slovakia | 6.8/10 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | Single Permit (Combined Work And Residence) | Yes |
| 26 | Sweden | 6.7/10 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | Work Permit Employer Sponsored | Yes |
| 27 | Ecuador | 6.7/10 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | Work Visa (12 Vi) | Yes |
| 28 | Barbados | 6.7/10 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | Short Term Work Permit | Yes |
| 29 | Montenegro | 6.7/10 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 4.0 | Temporary Residence And Work Permit For Employment | Yes |
| 30 | Brunei | 6.7/10 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | Employment Pass (Ep) | Yes |
| 31 | Australia | 6.6/10 | 5.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | Skilled Independent 189 | Yes |
| 32 | Lithuania | 6.6/10 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 5.0 | Eu Blue Card | Yes |
| 33 | Austria | 6.5/10 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | Red White Red Card Skilled Workers In Shortage | Yes |
| 34 | Ireland | 6.5/10 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | Critical Skills Employment Permit | Yes |
| 35 | Norway | 6.5/10 | 5.0 | 8.0 | 3.0 | 10.0 | 6.0 | Skilled Worker Permit | Yes |
| 36 | Qatar | 6.5/10 | 5.0 | 9.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | Work Residence Permit | Yes |
| 37 | New Zealand | 6.4/10 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | Green List Straight To Residence Visa | Yes |
| 38 | Hong Kong | 6.4/10 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | General Employment Policy (Gep) | Yes |
| 39 | Latvia | 6.2/10 | 7.0 | 5.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 5.0 | Eu Blue Card | Yes |
| 40 | Romania | 6.2/10 | 7.0 | 5.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 4.0 | Standard Work Permit | Yes |
| 41 | Poland | 6.1/10 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | Type A Work Permit | Yes |
| 42 | South Korea | 6.0/10 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | E 5 Professional Visa | Yes |
| 43 | Bahrain | 6.0/10 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 7.0 | 5.0 | Work Visa | Yes |
| 44 | Costa Rica | 6.0/10 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | Work Visa (Empleado Residente) | Yes |
| 45 | Oman | 6.0/10 | 5.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | Work Visa (Standard) | Yes |
| 46 | Trinidad and Tobago | 6.0/10 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | Work Permit (General) | Yes |
| 47 | Albania | 6.0/10 | 8.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 3.0 | Unique Permit | Yes |
| 48 | Moldova | 6.0/10 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 4.0 | Long Stay Work Visa (Type D) | Yes |
| 49 | Japan | 5.9/10 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 9.0 | 5.0 | Skilled Worker Visa Tokutei Gino | Yes |
| 50 | Saudi Arabia | 5.9/10 | 3.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | Employment Visa Iqama | Yes |
| 51 | Morocco | 5.9/10 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | Long Term Work Visa | Yes |
| 52 | Peru | 5.8/10 | 7.0 | 4.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Temporary Worker Visa | Yes |
| 53 | Russia | 5.8/10 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 4.0 | Standard Work Visa | Yes |
| 54 | Spain | 5.7/10 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | Employee Work Visa | Yes |
| 55 | Malaysia | 5.7/10 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 5.0 | Employment Pass Category I | Yes |
| 56 | Croatia | 5.7/10 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 5.0 | Temporary Stay Work Permit | Yes |
| 57 | Chile | 5.7/10 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 5.0 | Employee Work Visa | Yes |
| 58 | Serbia | 5.7/10 | 8.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 3.0 | Single Permit (Residence + Work) | Yes |
| 59 | Uganda | 5.7/10 | 8.0 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | Class A Government/Diplomatic Service | Yes |
| 60 | France | 5.6/10 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | Salaried Employee Work Permit | Yes |
| 61 | Paraguay | 5.6/10 | 7.0 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Temporary Work Residence | Yes |
| 62 | Nigeria | 5.6/10 | 6.0 | 4.7 | 8.7 | 4.2 | 5.0 | No | |
| 63 | Uruguay | 5.5/10 | 7.0 | 2.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 4.0 | Temporary Residency Work | Yes |
| 64 | Argentina | 5.5/10 | 7.0 | 2.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | Temporary Work Visa | Yes |
| 65 | Colombia | 5.5/10 | 7.0 | 3.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | M5 Worker Visa | Yes |
| 66 | North Macedonia | 5.5/10 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | Skilled Worker Permit | Yes |
| 67 | South Africa | 5.5/10 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | Critical Skills Visa | Yes |
| 68 | Panama | 5.5/10 | 8.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Friendly Nations Visa | Yes |
| 69 | Cambodia | 5.5/10 | 6.0 | 4.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Business Visa Extension (Eb) | Yes |
| 70 | Kyrgyzstan | 5.5/10 | 7.0 | 3.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Employment Visa W1 With Work Permit | Yes |
| 71 | Jamaica | 5.4/10 | 7.0 | 3.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Work Permit (General) | Yes |
| 72 | Mongolia | 5.4/10 | 6.0 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Hg Work Visa (Employment Visa) | Yes |
| 73 | Brazil | 5.4/10 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | Work Visa | Yes |
| 74 | Turkey | 5.3/10 | 6.0 | 2.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | Work Permit | Yes |
| 75 | Dominican Republic | 5.3/10 | 7.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Business Visa For Employment Purposes (Nm1) | Yes |
| 76 | Kazakhstan | 5.3/10 | 7.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | C3 Work Visa | Yes |
| 77 | Uzbekistan | 5.3/10 | 7.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Employment Visa Type E | Yes |
| 78 | Fiji | 5.2/10 | 6.0 | 2.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 4.0 | Work Permit | Yes |
| 79 | Mexico | 5.2/10 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | Temporary Resident Visa | Yes |
| 80 | Georgia | 5.2/10 | 7.0 | 2.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | Work Residence Permit | Yes |
| 81 | Mauritius | 5.2/10 | 5.0 | 2.0 | 9.0 | 7.0 | 4.0 | Professional Occupation Permit | Yes |
| 82 | Kenya | 5.2/10 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 9.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | Class D Formal Employment | Yes |
| 83 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 5.2/10 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 3.0 | Temporary Work Permit | Yes |
| 84 | Lebanon | 5.2/10 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Work Permit (Standard Employment) | Yes |
| 85 | Slovenia | 5.1/10 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 4.0 | Single Permit | Yes |
| 86 | Thailand | 5.1/10 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 5.0 | Smart Visa | Yes |
| 87 | Bulgaria | 5.1/10 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | Eu Blue Card | Yes |
| 88 | Vanuatu | 5.0/10 | 6.0 | 2.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | Work Permit | Yes |
| 89 | Ukraine | 5.0/10 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 7.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | Skilled Worker Temporary Residence | Yes |
| 90 | Rwanda | 5.0/10 | 5.0 | 2.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | V4 Skilled Worker | Yes |
| 91 | Armenia | 5.0/10 | 6.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Work Permit + Temporary Residence Card | Yes |
| 92 | Azerbaijan | 5.0/10 | 6.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Work Permit (General Employment) | Yes |
| 93 | Nepal | 5.0/10 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Working Visa | Yes |
| 94 | Tajikistan | 5.0/10 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Working Visa (Type M) | Yes |
| 95 | Iraq | 5.0/10 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | Employment Visa | Yes |
| 96 | Zambia | 5.0/10 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | Employment Permit | Yes |
| 97 | Latvia | 4.9/10 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 4.0 | Work 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 | Maldives | 4.8/10 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | Work Visa (Standard Employment) | Yes |
| 109 | Tanzania | 4.6/10 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | Residence Permit Class A (Investor/Self Employment) | Yes |
| 110 | Mozambique | 4.6/10 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | Work Visa (General Employment) | Yes |
| 111 | Vanuatu | 4.4/10 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | Employment Visa | Yes |
| 112 | Algeria | 4.4/10 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | Work Visa (Long Term) | Yes |
| 113 | Libya | 4.4/10 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | Work Visa | Yes |
| 114 | China | 4.3/10 | 1.0 | 4.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | Work Permit Class B | Yes |
| 115 | Jordan | 4.3/10 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | Standard Work Permit | Yes |
| 116 | Egypt | 4.3/10 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 9.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | Employment Work Permit | Yes |
| 117 | Sudan | 4.3/10 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | Temporary Work Visa | Yes |
| 118 | Ukraine | 4.2/10 | 4.0 | 2.0 | 9.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 | Work Permit | Yes |
| 119 | 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 Finland (7.6/10)
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 pharmacist.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best country for pharmacists to emigrate in 2026?
Iceland ranks #1 for pharmacists 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 pharmacists need professional recognition abroad?
It depends on the country. Some countries require license recognition or credential evaluation for pharmacists. Our ranking includes a recognition requirement indicator for each country.
Which countries have the easiest visa process for pharmacists?
Countries with high visa accessibility scores include those with dedicated skilled worker visas, shortage occupation lists, or points-based systems that favour pharmacists.
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 Pharmacist 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 pharmacists.
Data sourced from official government immigration portals, verified March 2026. Scores are indicative and should be used alongside professional immigration advice.