Top 10 Affordable Countries to Immigrate in 2025: Best Options for Families and Skilled Workers

A diverse group of people, including adults and children, walking across a bridge with luggage, symbolizing immigration and relocation to new countries. The city skyline in the background represents urban destinations.

Top 10 Affordable Countries to Immigrate in 2025: Best Options for Families and Skilled Workers

Discover the top 10 affordable countries to immigrate to in 2025. Compare visa options, job markets, proof of funds, and living costs with up-to-date government sources.

Curianic

June 29, 2025

6–9 minutes

Career, Family Relocation, Global Travel, Immigration, Job Market, Visas

When planning to immigrate, families and skilled workers must look beyond just getting a visa. It’s important to think about how easy the process is, how much money you need, the chances of finding a good job, living costs, retirement possibilities, and how stable life is in the new country. This guide highlights the top 10 affordable countries to move to in 2025, based on official government information.

1. 🇨🇦 Canada

Canada is one of the most popular immigration destinations because of its welcoming policies and strong job market.

Visa Options: Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Program, Family Sponsorship, LMIA-based work permits.
Required Funds: You need to show savings of CAD 14,690 for one person, CAD 18,288 for a couple, or CAD 27,297 for a family of four. You don’t need to show these funds if you already have a valid job offer or qualify under the Canadian Experience Class. [Source: canada.ca]
Jobs Available: High demand for IT, healthcare, construction, and engineering professionals.
Living Costs: Moderate, but housing can take up to half of your household income.
Retirement: You can apply for permanent residency after 3 years and benefit from Canada’s public pension system.

2. 🇦🇺 Australia

Australia offers clear immigration pathways and great opportunities in healthcare and engineering.

Visa Options: Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189), regional skilled visas.
Required Funds: No minimum savings required. Visa costs about AUD 4,765. Starting July 2025, you need to earn at least AUD 76,515 per year. [Source: homeaffairs.gov.au]
Jobs Available: High demand in healthcare, trades, construction, and engineering.
Living Costs: Cities like Sydney and Melbourne are expensive, but regional areas are much more affordable.
Retirement: Permanent residency possible after four years with strong social benefits.

3. 🇵🇹 Portugal

Portugal is a peaceful country with a low cost of living and simple visa options for people with stable income.

Visa Options: D7 Passive Income Visa, Golden Visa, Digital Nomad Visa.
Required Funds: At least €870 per month or €10,440 per year for singles. Add 50% for a spouse and 30% per child. It is best to have 12 months’ savings in a Portuguese bank. [Source: vistos.mne.gov.pt]
Jobs Available: Growing sectors include tourism, renewable energy, and technology.
Living Costs: One of the most affordable in Western Europe.
Retirement: Permanent residency after 5 years, with tax benefits for retirees.

4. 🇳🇿 New Zealand

New Zealand offers a relaxed lifestyle, strong job demand, and a family-friendly environment.

Visa Options: Skilled Migrant Category (SMC), work-to-residence visas.
Required Funds: No fixed savings needed for SMC. A job offer and skills that meet the points system are required. For Working Holiday Visas, you need at least NZD 4,200. [Source: immigration.govt.nz]
Jobs Available: High demand in healthcare, agriculture, trades, and IT.
Living Costs: Moderate, but housing can be a significant expense.
Retirement: Permanent residency possible after 2 years, with solid retirement options.

5. 🇧🇷 Brazil

Brazil is an affordable choice with visa options for digital nomads and skilled workers.

Visa Options: Work Visa (VITEM V), Digital Nomad Visa (VITEM XIV).
Required Funds: Digital Nomads need to show an income of at least US$1,500 per month or savings of US$18,000. [Source: gov.br]
Jobs Available: Opportunities in energy, agriculture, healthcare, and digital services.
Living Costs: Affordable in most cities, higher in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
Retirement: Permanent residency is possible, with a moderate social security system.

6. 🇬🇧 United Kingdom

The UK is a strong choice for skilled workers with growing opportunities across many sectors.

Visa Options: Skilled Worker, Health & Care Worker, Global Talent, Youth Mobility Scheme.
Required Funds: Visa fees range from £769 to £1,751. You must have at least £1,270 in savings, plus extra for each dependent. [Source: gov.uk]
Jobs Available: High demand in healthcare, technology, engineering, and skilled trades.
Living Costs: London is expensive, but smaller cities offer more affordable living.
Retirement: Settlement possible after five years, with access to the public pension system.

7. 🇩🇪 Germany

Germany offers stable immigration options for skilled workers, especially in technical fields.

Visa Options: EU Blue Card, Skilled Immigration Act.
Required Funds: You need a job offer with a salary between €43,800 and €56,400 depending on your profession. [Source: make-it-in-germany.com]
Jobs Available: Strong demand in STEM fields, healthcare, and trades.
Living Costs: Moderate outside of Berlin and Munich; affordable in smaller cities.
Retirement: Permanent residency possible within 21 to 27 months.

8. 🇫🇷 France

France welcomes skilled workers and researchers with structured immigration pathways.

Visa Options: Talent Passport for skilled workers, researchers, and startup founders.
Required Funds: A job contract with a minimum annual salary of €43,243 is required. [Source: france-visas.gouv.fr]
Jobs Available: Strong in healthcare, IT, green energy, and research.
Living Costs: Paris is expensive, but other regions are much more affordable.
Retirement: Permanent residency after five years with full pension eligibility.

9. 🇸🇬 Singapore

Singapore is an efficient, modern destination with high demand for skilled professionals.

Visa Options: Employment Pass (starting at S$5,000/month), S-Pass, Personalized Employment Pass.
Required Funds: Employer sponsorship is essential, and strict salary minimums apply. [Source: mom.gov.sg]
Jobs Available: Strong in finance, tech, engineering, and healthcare.
Living Costs: Housing is expensive, but public transport and healthcare are affordable.
Retirement: Permanent residency available after several years of work, but no direct retirement visa.

10. 🇳🇱 Netherlands

The Netherlands offers excellent work opportunities, especially for highly skilled migrants.

Visa Options: Highly Skilled Migrant, Orientation Year for graduates.
Required Funds: Minimum salary of about €3,672 per month, depending on age and job role. [Source: ind.nl]
Jobs Available: High demand in engineering, technology, and green energy.
Living Costs: Moderate to high; smaller cities are more affordable.
Retirement: Permanent residency after five years, with strong social security benefits.

Final Considerations

When choosing your immigration destination, ask yourself:

Is the visa system easy to access? Points-based, employer-sponsored, or income-based?
Can I meet the financial requirements?
Is my profession in high demand in this country?
Can I afford the local cost of living?
Does the country offer a secure retirement path?

All these countries offer affordable, realistic options based on your job, income, and family needs. Always check the latest updates from official government websites.

Why This Ranking is Different from Student Destination Rankings

This guide is about immigration for families and skilled workers, not students.

When students choose a country, they focus on tuition fees, English-taught programs, student visas, and lifestyle. For example, Germany is one of the top destinations for students because:

Public universities often offer free or low-cost tuition.
Students need to show only about €11,208 per year for living expenses.
Living costs are moderate outside Berlin and Munich.
Germany has a strong academic reputation and post-graduate work options.

But for families and skilled workers, the rules are different. You must consider:

Professional certificate recognition and qualification acceptance.
Required salary levels and financial proof.
Job offer requirements.
Family living costs and long-term settlement options.
Language expectations for daily life and work.

Germany is excellent for students but more complex for families and skilled workers because:

It has stricter entry rules for workers.
It can take time to recognize foreign qualifications.
It requires higher financial proof.
The long-term cost of living and language can be challenging for families.

This post focuses on jobs, permanent settlement, family life, financial barriers, and long-term planning—not student priorities.

More on Student Destinations

If you’re interested in finding more top destinations for international students, read the full guides linked above to compare tuition, visas, and student life opportunities.

Need personalized advice for your immigration or study plans? Explore Curianic’s Consultation Services for strategic, step-by-step support tailored to your journey.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the easiest country to immigrate to in 2025?

Countries like Canada, Portugal, and New Zealand currently offer some of the most accessible immigration pathways for skilled workers and families.

Do I always need to show proof of savings?

It depends on the country. Some, like Canada and Portugal, require financial proof unless you have a job offer. Others, like New Zealand’s Skilled Migrant program, focus more on your skills and job offer.

Which countries are the most affordable?

Brazil, Portugal, and New Zealand generally offer lower living costs compared to places like the UK and Singapore.

Can my family join me?

Yes, most of these visa pathways allow you to bring your family, but each country has its own additional financial requirements for dependents.

Which countries offer fast permanent residency?

New Zealand, Germany, and Canada offer pathways to permanent residency in as little as 2 to 3 years for skilled workers.