The finest tax-free international locations to relocate to in order for you a excessive wage – together with a European vacation spot providing greater than £7,000 a month

For many expats, a new life in a zero-tax country is often the ultimate goal. 

Countries and cities with little to no personal income tax are popular for maximising income and savings – but expats often find that financial reality doesn’t always match the promise.  

Relocation costs, along with high rent and daily expenses, often cancel out the  advantages of moving to what is presented as a low or zero-tax destination. 

As hundreds of thousands of UK residents emigrate to new destinations for higher salaries and lucrative career opportunities, a fresh study has revealed 10 tax-free and low-tax countries to move to – including one in which expats can rake in more than £7,000 a month.

Using a ‘Tax-Free Relocation Index’, experts at William Russell compared popular tax-free destinations across key financial indicators, including average net salaries, properties prices, rental costs, utility bills, and overall cost of living.

The top 10 destinations with the highest expat pay were then ranked by comparing average monthly net salaries. 

From breezy Caribbean destinations to polished metropolis hubs, read on to discover which countries around the globe offer expats the biggest paychecks… 

1. Liechtenstein

With an average net salary of £7,160 a month, Liechtenstein ranks as the top destination for high monthly income.

The German-speaking country, located between Austria and Switzerland, might be Europe’s fourth-smallest, but it leads above the study average of around £2,950, offering a significantly higher post-tax income than other destinations on the list. 

While its resident population currently sits at around 40,000, over 70 per cent of the country’s workforce are foreign nationals, many of whom are cross-border commuters from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. 

In 2024, 467 people emigrated from Liechtenstein: 44.3 per cent were nationals, 26.6 per cent EEA nationals, and 6.4 per cent Swiss citizens.  

Liechtenstein offers competitive personal income tax rates  starting at around 1.2 per cent, flat corporate income tax rates of 12.5 per cent, and no capital gains tax, alongside attractive benefits for businesses and investors.

Beyond generous salaries, a new life in Liechtenstein would offer a range of advantages, including high levels of personal safety, a stable economic and political environment, and easy access to Austria and Switzerland. 

2. Monaco 

Ranking second is Monaco, which boasts an average monthly net salary of £6,685.

A favoured base for sports stars, international businessmen and F1 drivers, the country – just a seven-minute helicopter ride from Nice Airport – is considered one of the most expensive in the world. 

However, the nation combines high earning potential with financial efficiency, allowing residents to hold on to more of their income. 

Of the 38,367 residents recorded in the 2024 census, more than 75 per cent hailed from over 141 different nations.

Residents – aside from French nationals who pay their tax in France – are not required to pay personal income tax, wealth tax or capital gains tax on their income – whether it’s earned in the country or elsewhere in the world. 

In addition, there is 0 per cent inheritance tax for spouses and direct descendants.

The principality – most renowned for its Monte Carlo Casino and Formula 1 Grand Prix championships – is also known as one of the safest places in the world, with one police officer for every 60 to 65 residents. 

Located on the Mediterranean coast, it’s closely located to France and Italy, and offers world-class beaches, dining, shopping and healthcare. 

3. Switzerland

In third place is Switzerland, where expats can earn an average monthly salary of £5,683. 

The European country, landlocked between Germany, France, Italy and Austria, boasts low tax rates compared to other countries across the continent – and, for this reason, over 170,000 foreign nationals permanently moved to the country in 2024.

Expats are required to pay taxes, though these are levied at a federal, cantonal and municipal level. 

Personal income tax rates at the federal level are capped at 11.5 per cent, and those who have permanently settled in Switzerland are taxed on their global income, rather than the primary source of the income. 

Beyond wages, the country offers exceptionally high levels of personal safety, low crime rates, and a low unemployment rate of just three per cent as of April 2026.

4. Cayman Islands

The Cayman Islands comes in in fourth place with an average monthly salary of £5,506. 

Over 53 per cent of the Caribbean hotspot’s workforce – the equivalent of 33,573 people – were expats in 2024. 

Professionals are able to retain 100 per cent of their total earnings, and are not required to pay income tax, corporate tax or inheritance tax, making it a haven for expats. 

As a British Overseas Territory, residents enjoy a high quality of life across the Cayman Islands, along with political stability, a trusted legal system, low crime rates, a year-round warm climate, stunning beaches and proximity to the US. 

With over 140 nationalities living on the islands, expats can confidently network and socialise in a tight-knit community bursting with diversity, culture and differing ideas.

5. Bermuda

With an average monthly salary of £5,053, Bermuda rounds out the top five countries that are best for relocation.  

The North Atlantic nation does not require its residents to pay personal income tax, capital gains tax, or withholding tax on individuals – though some employees may have a small portion of their salary withheld by employers who must pay a payroll tax. 

Around 20 per cent of Bermuda’s roughly 64,5000 population are members of the expat community.

Away from high salaries and zero taxes, emigrants can enjoy a subtropical climate with year-round sun, along with a relaxed, unhurried vibe, low crime rates, superior healthcare, and world-class beaches with turquoise waters and pink sand. 

6. Luxembourg

Luxembourg, a landlocked sovereign state nestled between Belgium, France, and Germany, falls into sixth position with an average monthly salary of £4,080.

As of January 2024, foreign residents – including expats – accounted for nearly half (47.3 per cent) of the total population, which stood at 672,050 at the time.    

Those who have lived in Luxembourg for more than six months are subject to taxation, though this is based on their worldwide income and divided into classes of single persons, married persons/civil partners, and single persons aged over 65 or with children. 

However, expats who qualify for a special exemption scheme – the revised ‘impatriate tax regime’ – may only be required to pay taxes on 50 per cent of their annual salary for eight years, according to BDO Global.

For expats considering relocation, Luxembourg also boasts the world’s highest Quality of Life Index of 2025, with unparallelled safety and strong social security, according to The Times of India.

With much of the country’s population being foreign nationals, expats can settle into a welcoming environment where English and other languages are widely spoken.

7. Singapore

In seventh place is Singapore, a Southeast-Asian financial hub where expats can take home an average salary of £3,225. 

As of 2024, nearly 1.6 million foreign nationals moved to the country, accounting for around 40 per cent of its total workforce. 

Despite being one of the world’s most expensive cities, around 65 per cent of expats boasted significantly more disposable income after relocating to Singapore.

While all residents are taxed at rates of up to 24 per cent, they are not required to pay capital gains or inheritance tax. Expats, on the other hand, are taxed at 15 per cent or the progressive rate for residents if they fail to meet tax residency criteria. 

Consistently ranked as one of world’s safest countries, Singapore offers expats a comfortable of life of low crime, rich green spaces, easy access to nearby Asian countries, and job prospects with over 7,000 multinational corporations based there. 

8. Netherlands

Boasting an average monthly salary of £2,946 is the Netherlands, which drew over 300,000 foreign nationals for permanent relocation in 2024.

The European nation enforces a ’30 per cent’ ruling on qualified, highly skilled expats who earn more than €46,107 a year, meaning they can receive 30 per cent of the gross salary tax-free for up to five years.

In 2025, the Netherlands was considered the safest country in the world, rated for its superior healthcare, inclusivity and low crime. 

The country also offers expats excellent transport efficiency, including 35,000km of cycling paths and the bustling Schiphol Airport, making it an ideal hub for travel and work commutes. 

9. Qatar

Qatar, situated in the Middle East, falls in ninth place with an average monthly salary of £2,828.  

In 2024, around 46,105 people migrated to the country, bringing its total population to 3,143,491 at the time.

Residents benefit from zero per cent income tax on their salaries, wages and allowances, and are exempt for paying tax on personal property, inheritance and capital gains. 

However, a small withholding tax of five per cent may apply to foreign nationals who provide services to the country, and some specific levies may apply to businesses and corporate profits for non-residents.

Aside from its lucrative tax benefits, Qatar is often cited one of the safest countries in the world, boasting a high safety index of 84.1 out of 100 as of 2025.

It also features modern Infrastructure, high-quality healthcare and a myriad of international schools and family-friendly attractions. 

10. Jersey

Rounding out the top 10 is Jersey, which boasts an average monthly salary of £2,828. 

At the end of 2024, the resident population increased by about 510 people compared to the previous year as a result of net inward migration.

Those who move to the self-governing nation, based in the Channel Islands, can benefit from a maximum personal income tax rate of 20 per cent, with no capital gains, wealth, or inheritance taxes. 

Situated around four hours from the coast of Poole, Jersey offers expats a high standard of living, boasting picturesque coastlines, a strong community and proximity to both the UK and France.

As a self-governing British Crown Dependency, Jersey also operates its own independent legal and tax systems that are separate from the UK.