Portugal, New Zealand and Spain have the most relaxed pace of life of the destinations Transita scores, with Portugal the slowest. The United States sits at the other end. These are editorial estimates of daily rhythm on a 1 to 5 scale, not measured working hours.
We have not scored pace of life for the United Arab Emirates, Switzerland, France, Italy, Singapore and Thailand yet, so they are not in this ranking.
Pace of life, and the job market you trade it for
| Country | Pace (1 relaxed, 5 fast) | Outdoors (1 to 5) | Job market score | Main work route |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal | 1 | 3 | 50 | Tech Visa |
| New Zealand | 2 | 5 | 62 | Accredited Employer Work Visa |
| Spain | 2 | 3 | 58 | Highly Qualified Professional |
| Australia | 3 | 5 | 76 | Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) |
| Canada | 3 | 5 | 85 | Express Entry: Federal Skilled Worker |
| Ireland | 3 | 3 | 78 | Critical Skills Employment Permit |
| Germany | 4 | 3 | 78 | EU Blue Card |
| Netherlands | 4 | 2 | 84 | Highly Skilled Migrant |
| United Kingdom | 4 | 2 | 82 | Skilled Worker Visa |
| United States | 5 | 4 | 95 | H-1B Specialty Occupation |
The trade-off in one number
The legal floor in the EU
Portugal and Spain are in the EU, where the Working Time Directive caps average working time at 48 hours a week including overtime and sets at least 4 weeks of paid annual leave. Those are minimums. National law and collective agreements can go further.
What it costs to get in
For the relaxed countries, the mainstream work route and its government fee:
| Country | Main work route | Government fee |
|---|---|---|
| Portugal | Tech Visa | $160 |
| New Zealand | Accredited Employer Work Visa | $900 |
| Spain | Highly Qualified Professional | $200 |
If you would rather keep your current job, a remote-work visa avoids the local job market entirely. The where should I move tool matches pace, climate and cost to your own preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country has the best work-life balance for expats?
On Transita's pace-of-life estimate, Portugal, New Zealand and Spain are the most relaxed of the destinations we score. Portugal is the slowest-paced. These are editorial estimates of daily rhythm, not measured working hours.
Is there a trade-off between work-life balance and career?
Usually, yes. The relaxed countries average a job-market score of 57, against 85 for the fastest ones (pace 4 or 5). A slower life can come with fewer openings in your field, so it pays to secure the job before the move.
What working-time rights do you get in the EU?
The EU Working Time Directive caps average working time at 48 hours a week including overtime, and sets at least 4 weeks of paid annual leave. Member states can give more.
Can I keep a remote job and live somewhere relaxed?
Yes, if the country has a remote-work visa and your income clears its threshold. That combination is the most direct way to get a slower location without a local salary. See the remote work and digital nomad routes for each country in its guide.
Is work-life balance the same everywhere in a country?
No. A capital city runs faster than a coastal town in the same country. Treat the country estimate as a starting point and judge the city you would actually live in.
Find the slower-paced countries you qualify for
Transita checks your profile against the work and remote-work routes in each country and ranks the ones you can get. Answer 8 questions and your routes, documents and dates are set up for you. Free.
Build my workspaceofficial sources: Tech Visa · iapmei.pt·AEWV · immigration.govt.nz·HQP · inclusion.gob.es