a boat that is sitting in the water
A coastal facility at Japanese-held Brunei burns vigorously aft…
Brunei International Airport hangar taken on 20 December 2019
The Tomb of the King of Boni (Brunei) Nanjing
Royal Regalie, Museum der Präsente anlässlich der Inthronisieru…
Dusk at the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque in Brunei on the e…
UN MemberVisa-free · 30 daysPop. 437K
82
NestFainder ScoreAI

Excellent destination

A−Cost
A−Safety
AClimate
A−HDI
Brunei flag

Brunei

Malay

Brunei

Brunei offers tax-free income, world-class living standards, and one of Asia's lowest costs of living — all in a stable, English-speaking nation where expatriates comprise 40% of the population.

CLIMATE
30°C avg · 2200h sun/yr
CURRENCY
BND
LANGUAGE
Malay
SAFETY
Very safe
#1 globally · Safety index 70/100
COST OF LIVING
Moderate
Cost index 49/100
TIME ZONE
GMT+8
UTC+8

What it's like to live in Brunei

Brunei is a small, wealthy sultanate nestled on the north coast of Borneo, offering a unique living experience that blends traditional Islamic culture with modern infrastructure. Despite its compact size, the country presents an intriguing environmen...


Cost of living
vs EU AverageSimilar cost of living
1-bed apartment, city
S$1,000Apartment (1 bedroom) in City…
Dinner for two
S$7.50Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
Monthly groceries
S$3.49Milk (regular), (1 liter)
Public transit (month)
S$0.75One-way Ticket (Local Transpo…
Read the full cost-of-living guide
★ Professional

Your Brunei Roadmap

40+ page personal relocation analysis — visa path, tax strategy, neighbourhood guide, healthcare setup and more.

€29one-time report
What's included
  • Visa & residency path
  • Tax optimisation
  • Neighbourhood guide
  • Healthcare & schools
  • Cost breakdown

Healthcare

  • Brunei operates a mixed healthcare system with both public and private facilities, known for its high quality of care.
  • Public healthcare is heavily subsidized for citizens and stateless permanent residents, but foreign permanent residents and foreign spouses of citizens now pay full costs.
  • As of July 1, 2025, and January 1, 2026, mandatory private health insurance with specific minimum coverage levels is required for most foreign nationals, including employment, dependent, and student pass holders.
Healthcare guide →
Entry Requirements & Visa Options

Brunei Darussalam offers visa-free entry to citizens of over 90 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and most EU nations, for tourism or short business visits up to 30 days. U.S. passport holders and other eligible nationalities can enter without a prior visa provided their passport is valid for at least six months from the date of entry and they have at least six blank pages for visa-required trips (though not needed for visa-free stays under 90...

Visa-free entry: 30 days
Work permits available
Read full guide

Travel advisories, hazards, and conflict indicators

Cost of living, housing, income, and purchasing power overview

Income tax, corporate tax, and fiscal overview

Job market, business environment, and work permits

International schools, universities, and curricula

Pension, retirement pathways, and financial planning

Seasonal temperatures, rainfall, and sunshine hours

Population, languages, and ethnic composition

Day-to-day expat life and practical tips

Public transit, airports, and getting around

Community, cultural integration, and expat life

Air quality, green spaces, and sustainability

Political system, government structure, and key policies

Location overview, cost of living index, and purchasing power

Economic and geographic overview at a glance

Community perspectives and expat experiences

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This content was generated using artificial intelligence based on publicly available information. It is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, immigration, or professional advice. Information may be incomplete or outdated. Always verify with official sources before making decisions.

Data Source: Safety, crime, and quality metrics are sourced from Numbeo, a crowd-sourced global database of reported data.

All scores are relative comparisons on a 0-100 scale, where 50 = global average. Higher scores mean better than average, lower scores mean worse than average.