The most‑cited safety rankings for 2023 focus on overall peace and health‑security scores, but for digital nomads and high‑net‑worth individuals the decisive factors are how easily a country can be entered and how much of one’s income can be retained after taxes. Below is a distilled view of the two major reports, the immigration routes they imply, and the tax realities that often decide where a long‑term move makes sense.
What the reports say
| Report | Countries highlighted (top entries) |
|---|---|
| Global Peace Index + Economic Intelligence Unit (CNBC) | Iceland, New Zealand, Portugal, Czech Republic, Hungary, Croatia, Montenegro, Germany, Norway, Australia, Mauritius |
| Global Health Security Index | Australia, Germany, New Zealand, France, Spain, Norway, Mexico, Estonia, Portugal, Hungary |
The two lists overlap on Australia, Germany, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Hungary and add several others (France, Spain, Mexico, Estonia, etc.).
Immigration pathways and practical hurdles
| Country | Typical visa / residency route | Ease of entry (for non‑citizens) | Notable constraints |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iceland | Digital Nomad Visa (short‑term) | Easy for stays up to 6 months | No long‑term pathway; high taxes |
| New Zealand | Investor Residence (expensive) | Available but costly; tightening rules | High cost of entry, limited tax advantage for very high earners |
| Portugal | Golden Visa / Self‑Sufficient Visa | Popular, but backlogged | Moderate tax friendliness; not optimal for 7‑figure incomes |
| Czech Republic | Residence for EU citizens; otherwise difficult | Hard unless you already hold EU citizenship (e.g., via Irish ancestry or Maltese citizenship) | Limited direct routes for non‑EU nationals |
| Hungary | Residence permits relatively accessible | Fairly easy for investors or retirees | Tax regime less attractive than Portugal |
| Croatia | Residence permits; capital‑gains tax incentive | Moderately easy | Immigration still more involved than some Balkan neighbours |
| Montenegro | 90‑day renewable residence permits | Simple, low cost | No direct path to citizenship; limited tax incentives |
| Mauritius | Real‑estate investment + company formation → residency | Straightforward for investors | Small market; tax regime favorable but niche |
| Mexico | Temporary/ permanent residence (various categories) | Easy to obtain | Opaque tax code; risk of unintentionally becoming a tax resident |
| Estonia | E‑Residency (digital) – not a residence permit | Harder to convert to physical residency | Primarily a digital business hub, not a long‑term home |
| Singapore | Employment Pass / EntrePass | Strict eligibility, high taxes | No easy citizenship route; family reunification restrictions |
| Luxembourg | Golden Visa | Accessible for investors | Tax regime not especially low |
| Indonesia | Digital Nomad Visa (tax‑friendly) | Simple for remote workers | No path to citizenship; limited long‑term tax planning |
| UAE / Oman | Investor or talent visas | Very open, zero‑tax environment | Residency tied to sponsorship; limited citizenship options |
| Switzerland | High‑value residence program (requires substantial investment) | Accessible if you hold an EU passport (e.g., via Malta) | Taxes reduced for EU citizens but still high for non‑EU residents |
Tax friendliness in context
- Portugal – Offers a non‑habitual resident (NHR) regime, but the overall tax burden remains higher than many offshore jurisdictions for incomes above €1 million.
- Mauritius – Low corporate tax (15 %) and no capital‑gains tax for residents; attractive for real‑estate investors.
- Croatia – Capital‑gains tax incentives can be useful for property investors, though personal income tax is moderate.
- Mexico – Tax residency is triggered by a 183‑day physical presence rule; once a resident, worldwide income is taxed at progressive rates.
- Indonesia – Digital Nomad Visa holders are generally taxed only on Indonesian‑source income, making it a tax‑neutral option for remote earners.
- UAE / Oman – No personal income tax; however, the lack of a citizenship pathway means residency is tied to ongoing sponsorship or investment.
Safe jurisdictions that often slip off the radar
- Japan and Singapore have some of the world’s lowest murder rates, but both impose relatively high personal taxes and have strict residency or citizenship requirements.
- Luxembourg offers a golden‑visa route but does not provide a low‑tax environment.
- Liechtenstein ranks very low for violence against women, yet its residency programs are costly and limited in scale.
- Balkans (Montenegro, Serbia, Albania) and the Gulf (UAE, Oman) combine low violent‑crime rates with relatively easy residence permits, though tax benefits vary.
- China reports low murder rates, but political and legal considerations may outweigh safety for many expatriates.
How to choose a destination
- Define the primary goal – safety, tax efficiency, or long‑term citizenship?
- Assess immigration feasibility – does the country offer a visa that matches your profile (digital nomad, investor, self‑sufficient, golden visa)?
- Calculate tax exposure – model your worldwide income against the host country’s tax rates, double‑tax treaties, and any special regimes (e.g., Portugal’s NHR).
- Consider cost of living – high‑tax, high‑cost nations like Norway or Iceland may erode net savings despite safety rankings.
- Evaluate secondary risks – property crime, bureaucratic delays, backlogs for residency applications, and the potential for becoming an unintended tax resident (as in Mexico).
- Plan for flexibility – obtaining a second passport (e.g., via Malta’s donation program) can unlock multiple EU residency options and reduce tax liability across jurisdictions.
Bottom line
Statistical safety rankings provide a useful starting point, but the “best” country for a nomadic or high‑net‑worth lifestyle hinges on a blend of immigration accessibility, tax regime, cost of living, and personal risk tolerance. Countries such as Portugal, Mexico, Mauritius, Indonesia, and the Gulf states often deliver a more balanced package than the headline‑grabbing top‑ranked nations, especially when a second passport or EU citizenship can be leveraged to broaden residency options. A holistic, case‑by‑case analysis—matching visa pathways to tax outcomes and lifestyle preferences—is essential before committing to any relocation.
