Looking to work abroad as a nurse? We ranked 125 countries across five dimensions — visa accessibility, salary competitiveness, cost of living, quality of life, and career growth — to find the best destinations for nurses in 2026.
Top Destinations for Nurses
| Rank | Country | Score | Visa | Salary | CoL | Career | Est. Net/mo | Best Pathway |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Finland | 8.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 9.0 | €3,000 | Employed Person Residence Permit | |
| 2 | Iceland | 8.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | €4,020 | Residence Permit For Work (General) | |
| 3 | Luxembourg | 8.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 7.0 | €3,593 | Eu Blue Card | |
| 4 | Belgium | 6.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 9.0 | €3,333 | Eu Blue Card | |
| 5 | Philippines | 6.0 | 9.3 | 7.2 | 7.0 | €2,800 | — | |
| 6 | Canada | 9.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | €2,720 | Express Entry | |
| 7 | Germany | 9.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | €2,635 | Skilled Worker Visa Academic | |
| 8 | Netherlands | 8.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | €2,890 | Highly Skilled Migrant Permit | |
| 9 | Portugal | 9.0 | 4.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | €1,020 | D1 Employment Visa | |
| 10 | United States | 6.0 | 8.0 | 4.0 | 8.0 | €3,825 | Eb 2 Advanced Degree | |
| 11 | Lithuania | 8.0 | 5.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | €1,941 | Eu Blue Card | |
| 12 | Estonia | 8.0 | 6.0 | 7.0 | 5.0 | €1,875 | Temporary Residence Permit For Employment | |
| 13 | Switzerland | 6.0 | 9.0 | 2.0 | 6.0 | €4,675 | B Permit Skilled Worker Residence | |
| 14 | Italy | 7.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | €2,066 | Eu Blue Card Italy | |
| 15 | Malta | 8.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | €1,875 | Single Permit | |
| 16 | Singapore | 6.0 | 7.0 | 4.0 | 7.0 | €3,400 | Employment Pass | |
| 17 | United Arab Emirates | 7.0 | 7.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | €3,570 | Employment Visa Standard Work Visa | |
| 18 | United Kingdom | 7.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | 7.0 | €2,805 | Health And Care Worker Visa | |
| 19 | Poland | 7.0 | 4.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | €1,464 | Type A Work Permit | |
| 20 | Australia | 6.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | €3,230 | Skilled Independent 189 | |
| 21 | Denmark | 6.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | €3,230 | Positive List For Higher Education | |
| 22 | New Zealand | 7.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | €2,380 | Green List Straight To Residence Visa | |
| 23 | Sweden | 7.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | €2,550 | Work Permit Employer Sponsored | |
| 24 | Uruguay | 9.0 | 2.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | €521 | Temporary Residency Work | |
| 25 | Ireland | 7.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | €2,975 | Critical Skills Employment Permit | |
| 26 | Argentina | 9.0 | 2.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | €436 | Temporary Work Visa | |
| 27 | Chile | 8.0 | 2.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | €695 | Employee Work Visa | |
| 28 | Costa Rica | 8.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | €1,640 | Work Visa (Empleado Residente) | |
| 29 | Czech Republic | 8.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | €1,350 | Employee Card | |
| 30 | Greece | 8.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | €1,343 | Eu Blue Card | |
| 31 | Hungary | 8.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | €1,331 | Eu Blue Card | |
| 32 | Slovakia | 8.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | €1,343 | Single Permit (Combined Work And Residence) | |
| 33 | Montenegro | 8.0 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 3.0 | €712 | Temporary Residence And Work Permit For Employment | |
| 34 | Austria | 6.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | €2,380 | Red White Red Card Skilled Workers In Shortage | |
| 35 | Malaysia | 7.0 | 2.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | €916 | Employment Pass Category I | |
| 36 | Turkey | 8.0 | 2.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | €440 | Work Permit | |
| 37 | Croatia | 7.0 | 3.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | €1,160 | Temporary Stay Work Permit | |
| 38 | Norway | 5.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | €3,400 | Skilled Worker Permit | |
| 39 | Mauritius | 7.0 | 2.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | €510 | Professional Occupation Permit | |
| 40 | Pakistan | 6.0 | 2.7 | 10.0 | 7.0 | €800 | — | |
| 41 | Latvia | 7.0 | 4.0 | 7.0 | 5.0 | €832 | Eu Blue Card | |
| 42 | Hong Kong | 8.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | €1,632 | General Employment Policy (Gep) | |
| 43 | Taiwan | 8.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | €1,141 | Employment Gold Card | |
| 44 | Cyprus | 8.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | €652 | Eu Blue Card | |
| 45 | Spain | 6.0 | 4.0 | 7.0 | 5.0 | €1,530 | Employee Work Visa | |
| 46 | Mexico | 8.0 | 2.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | €757 | Temporary Resident Visa | |
| 47 | Saudi Arabia | 5.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | €2,133 | Employment Visa Iqama | |
| 48 | Romania | 7.0 | 4.0 | 7.0 | 3.0 | €742 | Standard Work Permit | |
| 49 | Ecuador | 8.0 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 3.0 | €690 | Work Visa (12 Vi) | |
| 50 | Bahrain | 6.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | €2,125 | Work Visa | |
| 51 | Thailand | 6.0 | 2.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | €657 | Smart Visa | |
| 52 | Bulgaria | 7.0 | 2.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | €709 | Eu Blue Card | |
| 53 | Colombia | 7.0 | 3.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | €333 | M5 Worker Visa | |
| 54 | Kuwait | 6.0 | 5.0 | 8.0 | 4.0 | €1,350 | Article 18 Private Sector Work Visa | |
| 55 | Barbados | 7.0 | 5.0 | 7.0 | 4.0 | €1,210 | Short Term Work Permit | |
| 56 | Brunei | 7.0 | 5.0 | 7.0 | 4.0 | €1,164 | Employment Pass (Ep) | |
| 57 | India | 6.0 | 3.0 | 9.2 | 5.5 | €900 | — | |
| 58 | Indonesia | 6.0 | 2.7 | 8.4 | 7.0 | €800 | — | |
| 59 | Qatar | 5.0 | 7.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | €2,846 | Work Residence Permit | |
| 60 | Serbia | 8.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | — | Single Permit (Residence + Work) | |
| 61 | Albania | 8.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | €52 | Unique Permit | |
| 62 | Jamaica | 7.0 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 3.0 | €787 | Work Permit (General) | |
| 63 | Trinidad and Tobago | 5.0 | 5.0 | 9.0 | 4.0 | €1,147 | Work Permit (General) | |
| 64 | Moldova | 6.0 | 4.0 | 7.0 | 3.0 | €610 | Long Stay Work Visa (Type D) | |
| 65 | Japan | 4.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | €2,125 | Skilled Worker Visa Tokutei Gino | |
| 66 | South Korea | 5.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | €2,040 | E 5 Professional Visa | |
| 67 | Peru | 7.0 | 3.0 | 9.0 | 3.0 | €367 | Temporary Worker Visa | |
| 68 | Cambodia | 6.0 | 4.0 | 9.0 | 3.0 | €552 | Business Visa Extension (Eb) | |
| 69 | Kyrgyzstan | 7.0 | 3.0 | 9.0 | 3.0 | €277 | Employment Visa W1 With Work Permit | |
| 70 | Nigeria | 6.0 | 3.3 | 8.7 | 7.0 | €1,000 | — | |
| 71 | Bangladesh | 6.0 | 1.3 | 10.0 | 7.0 | €400 | — | |
| 72 | Paraguay | 7.0 | 3.0 | 8.0 | 3.0 | €38 | Temporary Work Residence | |
| 73 | Uganda | 8.0 | 3.0 | 8.0 | 3.0 | €119 | Class A Government/Diplomatic Service | |
| 74 | Costa Rica | 8.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | €779 | Digital Nomad Visa | |
| 75 | France | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | €2,210 | Salaried Employee Work Permit | |
| 76 | North Macedonia | 5.0 | 3.0 | 9.0 | 5.0 | €400 | Skilled Worker Permit | |
| 77 | Panama | 8.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | €455 | Friendly Nations Visa | |
| 78 | Iraq | 5.0 | 5.0 | 7.0 | 4.0 | €1,225 | Employment Visa | |
| 79 | Georgia | 7.0 | 2.0 | 7.0 | 4.0 | €532 | Work Residence Permit | |
| 80 | Kenya | 6.0 | 3.0 | 9.0 | 4.0 | €295 | Class D Formal Employment | |
| 81 | South Africa | 5.0 | 4.0 | 7.0 | 5.0 | €571 | Critical Skills Visa | |
| 82 | Vietnam | 7.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | €832 | Ld1 Work Visa (Work Permit Exemption) | |
| 83 | Israel | 6.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | €1,300 | B 1 Expert Work Visa | |
| 84 | Oman | 5.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | €1,195 | Work Visa (Standard) | |
| 85 | Russia | 6.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | €428 | Standard Work Visa | |
| 86 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 5.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | €717 | Temporary Work Permit | |
| 87 | Lebanon | 6.0 | 3.0 | 9.0 | 3.0 | €182 | Work Permit (Standard Employment) | |
| 88 | Morocco | 7.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | €575 | Long Term Work Visa | |
| 89 | Mongolia | 6.0 | 3.0 | 8.0 | 3.0 | €400 | Hg Work Visa (Employment Visa) | |
| 90 | Fiji | 6.0 | 1.0 | 7.0 | 4.0 | €340 | Work Permit | |
| 91 | Vanuatu | 7.0 | 1.0 | 7.0 | 4.0 | €255 | Work Permit | |
| 92 | Jordan | 5.0 | 2.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | €676 | Standard Work Permit | |
| 93 | Ukraine | 6.0 | 3.0 | 7.0 | 4.0 | €293 | Skilled Worker Temporary Residence | |
| 94 | Rwanda | 5.0 | 2.0 | 9.0 | 5.0 | €128 | V4 Skilled Worker | |
| 95 | Dominican Republic | 7.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | €486 | Business Visa For Employment Purposes (Nm1) | |
| 96 | Kazakhstan | 7.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | €213 | C3 Work Visa | |
| 97 | Nepal | 5.0 | 3.0 | 9.0 | 3.0 | €207 | Working Visa | |
| 98 | Uzbekistan | 7.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | €285 | Employment Visa Type E | |
| 99 | Tajikistan | 5.0 | 3.0 | 9.0 | 3.0 | €79 | Working Visa (Type M) | |
| 100 | Brazil | 5.0 | 4.0 | 7.0 | 3.0 | €700 | Work Visa | |
| 101 | Slovenia | 4.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | €1,190 | Single Permit | |
| 102 | Ghana | 5.0 | 3.0 | 9.0 | 3.0 | €133 | Discretionary Quota Work Permit | |
| 103 | Sri Lanka | 6.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | €222 | Employment Category Residence Visa | |
| 104 | Armenia | 6.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | €486 | Work Permit + Temporary Residence Card | |
| 105 | Azerbaijan | 6.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | €402 | Work Permit (General Employment) | |
| 106 | Tunisia | 5.0 | 3.0 | 9.0 | 3.0 | €281 | Long Stay Work Visa (Visa D) | |
| 107 | Myanmar | 6.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | €165 | Employment Visa | |
| 108 | Laos | 6.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | €113 | Business Visa (B2) | |
| 109 | Kenya | 6.0 | 1.0 | 8.0 | 4.0 | €340 | Work Permit Class D | |
| 110 | Madagascar | 5.0 | 3.0 | 8.0 | 3.0 | €290 | Long Stay Work Visa | |
| 111 | Latvia | 4.0 | 2.0 | 7.0 | 4.0 | €935 | Work Permit | |
| 112 | Tanzania | 6.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | €165 | Residence Permit Class A (Investor/Self Employment) | |
| 113 | Mozambique | 6.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | €179 | Work Visa (General Employment) | |
| 114 | Zimbabwe | 6.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | €410 | Temporary Employment Permit | |
| 115 | Zambia | 5.0 | 3.0 | 8.0 | 2.0 | €600 | Employment Permit | |
| 116 | Iran | 4.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | €665 | Work Permit Visa (Type F) | |
| 117 | China | 2.0 | 3.0 | 7.0 | 5.0 | €1,020 | Work Permit Class B | |
| 118 | Vanuatu | 4.0 | 3.0 | 8.0 | 3.0 | €223 | Employment Visa | |
| 119 | Maldives | 4.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | €713 | Work Visa (Standard Employment) | |
| 120 | Algeria | 4.0 | 3.0 | 8.0 | 3.0 | €196 | Work Visa (Long Term) | |
| 121 | Libya | 4.0 | 3.0 | 8.0 | 3.0 | €128 | Work Visa | |
| 122 | Egypt | 3.0 | 2.0 | 9.0 | 5.0 | €112 | Employment Work Permit | |
| 123 | Sudan | 5.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | €94 | Temporary Work Visa | |
| 124 | Ethiopia | 3.0 | 2.0 | 9.0 | 5.0 | €82 | Employment Work Permit | |
| 125 | Ukraine | 4.0 | 1.0 | 9.0 | 3.0 | €340 | Work Permit |
Top 5 Countries in Detail
#1 Finland — 8.1/10
Best Pathway: Employed Person Residence Permit
Visa 8.0 | Salary 8.0 | CoL 6.0 | QoL 9.0 | Career 9.0
- Income requirement: €1,463/monthly
- Processing: 21–42 days
- Cost of living from €1,100/month (Turku)
- Professional recognition required: Yes
- Full Finland guide →
#2 Iceland — 8.0/10
Best Pathway: Residence Permit For Work (General)
Visa 8.0 | Salary 9.0 | CoL 6.0 | QoL 8.0 | Career 8.0
- Cost of living from €2,298/month (Kópavogur)
- Professional recognition required: Yes
- Full Iceland guide →
#3 Luxembourg — 7.5/10
Best Pathway: Eu Blue Card
Visa 8.0 | Salary 8.0 | CoL 6.0 | QoL 8.0 | Career 7.0
- Income requirement: €5,284/monthly
- Processing: 56–84 days
- Cost of living from €2,000/month (Differdange)
- Professional recognition required: Yes
- Full Luxembourg guide →
#4 Belgium — 7.4/10
Best Pathway: Eu Blue Card
Visa 6.0 | Salary 8.0 | CoL 6.0 | QoL 8.0 | Career 9.0
- Income requirement: €5,749/monthly
- Processing: 30–90 days
- Cost of living from €1,300/month (Ghent)
- Professional recognition required: Yes
- Full Belgium guide →
#5 Philippines — 7.4/10
Best Pathway:
Visa 6.0 | Salary 9.3 | CoL 7.2 | QoL 7.1 | Career 7.0
- Cost of living from €1580/month (Davao City)
- Professional recognition required: No
- Full Philippines guide →
Visa Accessibility Ranking
Countries ranked by how easy it is for nurses to obtain a work visa:
| Rank | Country | Visa Score | Best Pathway |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Canada | 9.0/10 | Express Entry |
| #2 | Germany | 9.0/10 | Skilled Worker Visa Academic |
| #3 | Portugal | 9.0/10 | D1 Employment Visa |
| #4 | Uruguay | 9.0/10 | Temporary Residency Work |
| #5 | Argentina | 9.0/10 | Temporary Work Visa |
| #6 | Finland | 8.0/10 | Employed Person Residence Permit |
| #7 | Iceland | 8.0/10 | Residence Permit For Work (General) |
| #8 | Luxembourg | 8.0/10 | Eu Blue Card |
| #9 | Netherlands | 8.0/10 | Highly Skilled Migrant Permit |
| #10 | Lithuania | 8.0/10 | Eu Blue Card |
Salary Comparison
Estimated net monthly salary for nurses, with cost-of-living context:
| Country | Net Monthly | CoL/month | Disposable | CoL Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | €4,675 | €3,400 | €1,275 | 64% |
| Iceland | €4,020 | €2,298 | €1,722 | 37% |
| United States | €3,825 | €3,050 | €775 | 65% |
| Luxembourg | €3,593 | €2,000 | €1,593 | 42% |
| United Arab Emirates | €3,570 | €1,650 | €1,920 | 50% |
| Singapore | €3,400 | €2,912 | €488 | 59% |
| Norway | €3,400 | €2,600 | €800 | 65% |
| Belgium | €3,333 | €1,300 | €2,033 | 48% |
| Australia | €3,230 | €2,448 | €782 | 68% |
| Denmark | €3,230 | €2,075 | €1,155 | 62% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best country for nurses to work abroad in 2026?
Finland ranks #1 for nurses with a composite score of 8.1/10, based on visa accessibility, salary, cost of living, quality of life, and career growth.
Do nurses need professional recognition to work abroad?
It depends on the destination. Some countries require licence recognition or credential evaluation for nurses. Each country entry in our ranking includes a recognition indicator.
Which countries have the easiest visa process for nurses?
Countries with the highest visa accessibility scores offer dedicated skilled worker visas, shortage occupation lists, or points-based systems that favour nurses.
How much can nurses earn working abroad?
Salaries vary widely. Our ranking includes estimated net monthly earnings for nurses in each country, adjusted for local tax rates.
What is the cost of living for nurses abroad?
Cost of living depends on the city and lifestyle. We compare rent, groceries, transport, and utilities across all ranked countries.
Can I emigrate as a nurse without a job offer?
Several countries offer points-based immigration (Canada, Australia, New Zealand) or job seeker visas (Germany) that do not require a pre-arranged job offer.
How long does it take to get a work visa as a nurse?
Processing times range from 30 days (e.g., UAE, Portugal) to over 12 months (e.g., Canada Express Entry). Each country listing includes estimated processing times.
Data sourced from official government immigration portals, verified March 2026. Scores are indicative and should be used alongside professional immigration advice.