Which countries are easiest to move to with family?
As of our check on 1 October 2026, 40 of 97 countries are family-friendly. Canada, the Netherlands, Denmark, the UK, Romania, Serbia, Estonia, Latvia, Armenia and Peru score 100 out of 100 for family rights. In Canada the family files one application with the main applicant and gets permanent residence at once; in the UK dependant visas are issued alongside the worker's in about 3 weeks.
Where can a spouse work straight away?
A spouse can work without a separate permit in, for example, Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, Spain, Italy, Serbia, Estonia, Latvia, Canada, Australia, Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay. A separate permit is needed in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Mexico, Bulgaria and Ecuador. The spouse gets no right to work in the US (on an H-4 visa by default), Kazakhstan, Turkey, Israel, South Africa, Colombia, Panama and Malta.
Where can I bring my family at once, and where do I have to wait?
At once or together with the main applicant: Canada, the UK, the Netherlands, Denmark, Australia, Brazil, Germany, Sweden and most countries in the first group. You have to wait in Portugal, Greece, Poland and Lithuania (2 years), France (18 months), Malta (12 months) and Czechia (over 6 months of residence); in Ireland holders of an ordinary work permit wait 12 months.
What income do I need to bring my family?
Many countries set no fixed sum: you show that you can support the family (Germany, Serbia, Switzerland, Argentina). Where there is a threshold: the Netherlands €2,337 a month gross, Belgium €2,408.79 net plus 10% for each additional member, Austria €2,064.12 for a couple and €201.88 per child, Finland €2,910 net for a family of four, Latvia €780 plus €234 per child, Portugal €1,656 for a family of three, Spain €900 for two plus €300 for each additional member.
How long does a family residence permit take?
Fast: Rwanda (officially 7 days), the UK (about 3 weeks), Colombia (2-4 weeks), the Netherlands (2-6 weeks through a recognised sponsor), Denmark (2 months). Slow: Iceland (about 11 months), Ireland (12-14 months), Norway (up to 12 months), Poland (341 days on average), Austria (6-12 months), Uruguay (12-24 months).
Will my children go to school for free?
Almost everywhere, yes: state school is free for resident children, and in many countries regardless of status. One exception worth budgeting for: in Australia, on a temporary 482 work visa in New South Wales, state school costs AUD 5,600-6,400 a year. Teaching is usually in the state language: Chinese in Taiwan, Arabic and French in Tunisia.
Where in Europe can I move with family?
24 European countries are family-friendly, including the Netherlands, Denmark, the UK, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Spain, Italy, Ireland, Austria, Switzerland, Estonia, Latvia, Romania, Serbia and Albania. With caveats: France, Belgium, Finland, Czechia, Poland, Hungary, Greece, Portugal, Malta and Belarus.