Executive Summary
Global migration continued its post-pandemic acceleration in 2025-2026. The United Nations estimates that 281 million people now live outside their country of birth, representing 3.6% of the world's population. This report analyses the key trends shaping international migration in 2026, drawing from OECD data, World Bank indicators, and official government immigration records across 200+ countries & territories.
The most significant development of 2025-2026 was the divergence between skilled worker demand and tightening immigration policies. Countries like Germany, Canada, and Australia simultaneously expanded skilled worker pathways while restricting other routes (family reunification caps, study permit limits, and investor visa closures). Germany's Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card), which launched in mid-2024, saw 48,000 applications in its first full year — far exceeding projections of 15,000.
Cost-of-living pressures reshaped destination preferences. Traditional favourites like the UK and Australia saw declining net migration appeal due to housing costs, while second-tier destinations — Portugal, Estonia, Malaysia, and Uruguay — attracted record interest from cost-conscious emigrants. Our data shows a 34% increase in assessment requests for countries with monthly living costs under EUR 1,500.
The digital nomad visa landscape expanded to 58 countries, with Japan, South Korea, and Italy joining the roster in 2025-2026. However, compliance enforcement tightened: Portugal and Croatia began auditing remote-work visa holders for local tax contributions, signalling a maturation of the digital nomad regulatory framework.
Study abroad demand shifted notably toward continental Europe, as Canadian study permit caps and rising UK tuition drove international students toward Germany (tuition-free), the Netherlands, and France. Our Students lane data shows a 41% increase in continental European programme enquiries compared to 2024.
1. Top Destination Countries 2026
The following table ranks the top 15 immigrant-receiving countries by estimated annual immigration intake in 2025-2026. Data combines permanent residence grants, long-term work visas, and skilled migrant arrivals.
Germany overtook Canada as the second-largest immigrant destination, driven by the Chancenkarte visa and EU Blue Card reforms. The top 5 countries account for 61% of global skilled migration.
| Rank | Country | Est. Annual Intake | YoY Change | Primary Visa Routes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | 1,100,000 | +3.2% | H-1B, EB-2/EB-3, Green Card lottery |
| 2 | Germany | 680,000 | +18.4% | EU Blue Card, Chancenkarte, Skilled Worker |
| 3 | Canada | 465,000 | -8.1% | Express Entry, PNP, LMIA |
| 4 | United Kingdom | 400,000 | -5.3% | Skilled Worker, Growth Worker, Global Talent |
| 5 | Australia | 350,000 | +6.7% | 189 Skilled, 491 Regional, TSS |
| 6 | Spain | 285,000 | +22.1% | Highly Skilled, Digital Nomad, Non-Lucrative |
| 7 | France | 260,000 | +4.8% | Talent Passport, Salaried Worker |
| 8 | Saudi Arabia | 240,000 | +15.3% | Premium Residency, Work Visa |
| 9 | UAE | 230,000 | +12.0% | Golden Visa, Employment Visa, Green Visa |
| 10 | Netherlands | 180,000 | +7.2% | Highly Skilled Migrant, EU Blue Card |
| 11 | Japan | 165,000 | +28.4% | Specified Skilled Worker, HSP, Digital Nomad |
| 12 | New Zealand | 140,000 | +11.6% | Skilled Migrant, Work to Residence |
| 13 | Portugal | 125,000 | +19.8% | D7, D8 Digital Nomad, Tech Visa |
| 14 | Italy | 110,000 | +9.5% | Decreto Flussi, EU Blue Card, Digital Nomad |
| 15 | Ireland | 95,000 | -2.1% | Critical Skills, General Employment, Stamp 4 |
Sources: OECD International Migration Outlook 2025, UN Population Division, national statistics agencies. Figures are estimates based on 2025 full-year data and Q1 2026 trends.
2. Visa Policy Changes 2026
2026 brought significant shifts in immigration policy across major destination countries. The overall trend is strategic selectivity: countries are expanding pathways for high-demand skills while restricting volume elsewhere.
| Country | Policy Change | Effective | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | Express Entry CRS minimum raised; study permit cap of 360,000/year | Jan 2026 | High — reduces intake by est. 20% |
| Germany | Chancenkarte salary threshold lowered to EUR 36,000; IT workers exempt from degree requirement | Mar 2026 | High — opens access for non-degree tech workers |
| Australia | 189 Skilled Independent visa: new occupation list with 30+ additions in healthcare and tech | Feb 2026 | Medium — broader eligibility, higher competition |
| United Kingdom | Growth Worker visa launched (replaces Innovator Founder); minimum salary raised to GBP 38,700 | Apr 2026 | Medium — higher bar but clearer pathway |
| Portugal | D7 passive income minimum raised to EUR 870/month; D8 digital nomad minimum set at EUR 3,510/month | Jan 2026 | Low — modest threshold increases |
| Japan | Digital Nomad visa launched (6-month, renewable); Specified Skilled Worker Category 2 expanded | Apr 2025 | High — Japan opens to remote workers for first time |
| Spain | Digital Nomad visa processing fast-tracked to 20 days; startup visa extended to 3 years | Jan 2026 | Medium — faster entry for remote workers |
| Netherlands | 30% tax ruling reduced to 27% and capped at 5 years for new arrivals | Jan 2026 | Medium — reduced tax incentive for expats |
| UAE | Golden Visa expanded: minimum property investment lowered to AED 1M; freelancer category added | Feb 2026 | Medium — broader investor/talent appeal |
| New Zealand | Skilled Migrant category reopened with points-based system reset; healthcare workers prioritised | Mar 2026 | High — first major reset since 2021 |
Sources: Official government immigration portals, verified March 2026. See Our Data page for full source list.
3. Cost of Living Trends
Housing costs remain the dominant factor in emigration affordability. The table below compares monthly cost of living for a single person across 20 popular emigration destinations (city-centre 1-bed apartment, groceries, transport, and utilities).
Eastern European and Southeast Asian destinations offer 50-70% lower costs than traditional Anglo destinations. Portugal and Spain occupy the "sweet spot" of moderate cost with EU-level infrastructure.
| Country | City | Monthly Rent (1-bed, centre) | Monthly Living Cost (total) | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | Zurich | EUR 2,100 | EUR 4,280 | +3.1% |
| Singapore | Singapore | EUR 2,050 | EUR 3,426 | +5.8% |
| Australia | Sydney | EUR 1,850 | EUR 3,150 | +4.2% |
| United Kingdom | London | EUR 1,780 | EUR 3,020 | +2.9% |
| United States | New York | EUR 2,900 | EUR 4,500 | +3.5% |
| Canada | Toronto | EUR 1,550 | EUR 2,680 | +6.1% |
| Netherlands | Amsterdam | EUR 1,600 | EUR 2,750 | +4.7% |
| Ireland | Dublin | EUR 1,700 | EUR 2,830 | +3.4% |
| Germany | Berlin | EUR 1,100 | EUR 2,050 | +7.2% |
| France | Paris | EUR 1,250 | EUR 2,280 | +2.6% |
| Spain | Barcelona | EUR 1,050 | EUR 1,850 | +8.3% |
| Japan | Tokyo | EUR 850 | EUR 1,680 | +1.8% |
| Portugal | Lisbon | EUR 950 | EUR 1,620 | +9.4% |
| Czech Republic | Prague | EUR 750 | EUR 1,380 | +5.1% |
| Estonia | Tallinn | EUR 650 | EUR 1,250 | +4.3% |
| Poland | Warsaw | EUR 620 | EUR 1,180 | +6.5% |
| Malaysia | Kuala Lumpur | EUR 420 | EUR 850 | +3.2% |
| Mexico | Mexico City | EUR 480 | EUR 920 | +7.8% |
| Thailand | Bangkok | EUR 380 | EUR 780 | +2.4% |
| Uruguay | Montevideo | EUR 450 | EUR 960 | +4.0% |
Sources: Numbeo Q1 2026, supplemented by local real estate data. All figures in EUR, converted at March 2026 exchange rates.
4. Salary by Profession Globally
Understanding earning potential abroad is critical for emigration planning. The table below shows median annual salaries (in EUR) for key professions across 10 popular destination countries.
| Profession | USA | UK | Canada | Germany | Australia | Netherlands | Spain | Portugal | Japan | UAE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 95,000 | 55,000 | 62,000 | 60,000 | 72,000 | 58,000 | 38,000 | 32,000 | 42,000 | 65,000 |
| Registered Nurse | 68,000 | 34,000 | 52,000 | 40,000 | 58,000 | 38,000 | 28,000 | 22,000 | 30,000 | 42,000 |
| Mechanical Engineer | 78,000 | 42,000 | 55,000 | 52,000 | 65,000 | 48,000 | 34,000 | 28,000 | 38,000 | 55,000 |
| Financial Analyst | 82,000 | 50,000 | 58,000 | 55,000 | 68,000 | 52,000 | 36,000 | 30,000 | 45,000 | 60,000 |
| Teacher (Secondary) | 52,000 | 35,000 | 48,000 | 45,000 | 55,000 | 42,000 | 30,000 | 24,000 | 32,000 | 45,000 |
| Marketing Manager | 85,000 | 48,000 | 56,000 | 52,000 | 65,000 | 50,000 | 35,000 | 28,000 | 40,000 | 58,000 |
| Doctor (GP) | 180,000 | 72,000 | 140,000 | 75,000 | 120,000 | 80,000 | 55,000 | 45,000 | 60,000 | 95,000 |
| Electrician | 52,000 | 32,000 | 45,000 | 35,000 | 55,000 | 34,000 | 22,000 | 18,000 | 28,000 | 32,000 |
Sources: Glassdoor, PayScale, and national statistics agencies (Q4 2025 – Q1 2026). All figures in EUR, gross annual salary. Actual compensation varies by experience, city, and employer.
5. Digital Nomad Visa Landscape
The number of countries offering dedicated digital nomad or remote worker visas grew to 58 in 2026, up from 49 in 2024. The most notable additions were Japan (6-month digital nomad visa), South Korea (1-year), and Italy (which formalised its previously informal arrangement).
58 countries now offer digital nomad visas. Monthly income requirements range from EUR 1,500 (Colombia, Albania) to EUR 5,000+ (Dubai, Bermuda). The median threshold is EUR 2,800/month.
| Country | Visa Name | Duration | Min. Monthly Income | Tax Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal | D8 Digital Nomad | 1 year (renewable) | EUR 3,510 | IFICI (ex-NHR 2.0) for qualifying professions |
| Spain | Digital Nomad Visa | 1 year (renewable to 3) | EUR 3,286 | Beckham Law may apply |
| Croatia | Digital Nomad Permit | 1 year | EUR 2,662 | Exempt from Croatian income tax |
| Greece | Digital Nomad Visa | 1 year (renewable) | EUR 3,500 | 7% flat tax for 7 years |
| Estonia | Digital Nomad Visa | 1 year | EUR 3,504 | No local tax if employer abroad |
| Japan | Digital Nomad Visa | 6 months | EUR 4,800 | Tax exempt (under 183 days) |
| Italy | Digital Nomad Visa | 1 year (renewable) | EUR 2,800 | Subject to Italian taxation |
| Mexico | Temporary Resident (remote work) | 1-4 years | EUR 1,600 | Tax treaty dependent |
| Colombia | Digital Nomad Visa | 2 years | EUR 1,500 | No local income tax |
| UAE (Dubai) | Virtual Working Programme | 1 year | EUR 5,000 | 0% income tax |
For the complete list of all 58 digital nomad visa countries, see our Digital Nomad Visa Guide.
6. Study Abroad Trends
International student mobility in 2025-2026 was reshaped by policy changes in traditional Anglophone destinations. Canada's study permit cap (360,000/year, down from 500,000+) and the UK's graduate visa restrictions redirected student flows.
Key Study Abroad Trends for 2026
- Continental Europe surge: Applications to German universities from non-EU students rose 32%. The Netherlands saw a 28% increase. Both benefit from low/zero tuition and English-taught programmes.
- Canada study permit cap: The 360,000 annual cap (effective January 2026) reduced Indian student intake by an estimated 35%. Provincial allocation quotas created regional imbalances.
- UK post-study work uncertainty: The Graduate Route (2-year post-study work) remained under political review, creating planning uncertainty for prospective students.
- Australia skills-aligned study: New policies prioritise students enrolled in skills-shortage fields (healthcare, STEM, trades), with faster post-study work visa pathways for these graduates.
- Tuition-free alternatives gaining ground: Germany, Norway, Finland (for EU/EEA), and parts of France saw significant increases in applications as students seek alternatives to GBP 20,000+ annual UK tuition.
For personalised study abroad recommendations, visit our Students lane.
Methodology
Temporal Coverage: All data reflects 2025 full-year figures and Q1 2026 updates where available. Visa policy changes are verified as of March 24, 2026.
Currency: All monetary figures are in EUR. Non-EUR amounts are converted at the average exchange rate for March 2026.
Limitations: Immigration intake figures are estimates based on available government statistics, which vary in reporting methodology and timeliness. Some countries report calendar-year data; others use fiscal-year periods. Cost-of-living figures represent city-centre living for a single person and may not reflect suburban or rural costs.
Full Data: All 169 CSV datasets used in this report are available for free download at /research/datasets under a CC BY 4.0 license.
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Download all 169 CSV files behind this report — visa thresholds, cost of living, salary benchmarks, and quality of life indices for 200+ countries & territories.
Browse Open Datasets Get Your Free VerdictFrequently Asked Questions
How many people emigrated globally in 2025-2026?
According to UN estimates, approximately 281 million people lived outside their country of birth in 2025, representing 3.6% of the global population. Net migration flows in 2025 saw the largest year-on-year increase in skilled worker visa grants, driven by post-pandemic labour shortages in Canada, Australia, Germany, and the UK.
Which countries accepted the most immigrants in 2025-2026?
The top five immigrant-receiving countries were the United States (approx. 1.1 million), Germany (680,000), Canada (465,000), the United Kingdom (400,000+), and Australia (350,000+). Germany overtook Canada in total admissions for the first time since 2019, largely driven by the Chancenkarte and expanded EU Blue Card.
What are the biggest visa policy changes in 2026?
Major changes include Canada raising Express Entry CRS scores and capping study permits, Germany expanding the Chancenkarte with lower salary thresholds, Australia adding 30+ occupations to the 189 visa, the UK launching the Growth Worker visa at GBP 38,700 minimum salary, and Portugal adjusting D7 and D8 visa income requirements.
Which countries offer digital nomad visas in 2026?
As of March 2026, 58 countries offer dedicated digital nomad or remote worker visas. Monthly income requirements range from EUR 1,500 (Colombia, Albania) to EUR 5,000+ (Dubai). New entrants in 2025-2026 include Japan (6-month visa), South Korea, and Italy.
What is the average cost of emigrating in 2026?
Based on our analysis of 26 countries, the average total emigration cost is approximately EUR 8,643, including visa fees (avg. EUR 442), documents (avg. EUR 569), three months of living expenses (avg. EUR 5,272), and relocation (avg. EUR 2,365). Costs range from EUR 5,540 (Mexico) to EUR 14,644 (Australia). See our full cost report.
How is this report's methodology verified?
This report synthesises data from 10+ primary sources including OECD, World Bank, UN, Numbeo, and official government portals. All visa data is verified against .gov sources. The full methodology and 169 downloadable datasets are available at /research/datasets. See our Our Data page for complete source transparency.
Where can I download the raw migration data?
All 169 CSV datasets are available for free at /research/datasets under a Creative Commons CC BY 4.0 license. Datasets cover visa requirements, cost of living, salary benchmarks, quality of life, and programme eligibility for 200+ countries & territories.
This report is updated annually. The next edition (Global Migration Report 2027) will be published in March 2027. For corrections or data inquiries, contact hello@wheretoemigrate.io. Citation: WhereToEmigrate Research Team, "Global Migration Report 2026," wheretoemigrate.io, March 2026.