a group of people standing on top of a mountain
Illuminated Ferris wheel, Inflatable bouncing castle and carous…
Eupanacra busiris - Dorsal side
Collection of the Mathematician…
Karst peaks and green paddy fields under a stormy sky, South vi…
Green landscape with opaque paddy fields and cloudy blue sky in…
There was a whole host of dancers in traditional garb which wer…
UN MemberVisa-free · 30 daysPop. 7.3M
44
NestFainder ScoreAI

Worth considering

ACost
A−Safety
A−Climate
CHDI
Laos flag

Laos

Lao

Laos

Laos delivers a 104 Quality of Life score at a third the global cost of living — slow-paced Mekong days, simple Lao phrases, and LAK that stretches forever.

CLIMATE
35°C avg · 2800h sun/yr
CURRENCY
LAK
LANGUAGE
Lao
SAFETY
Safe
#1 globally · Safety index 66/100
COST OF LIVING
Low cost
Cost index 34/100
TIME ZONE
GMT+7
UTC+7

What it's like to live in Laos

Laos, officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is a landlocked country located in the heart of Southeast Asia, bordered by Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, China, and Myanmar. The country's landscape is predominantly mountainous, with the Mekong...


Cost of living
vs EU Average28% lower than EU average
1-bed apartment, city
LAK20,344,430Apartment (1 bedroom) in City…
Dinner for two
LAK70,000Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
Monthly groceries
LAK47,500Milk (regular), (1 liter)
Public transit (month)
LAK14,000One-way Ticket (Local Transpo…
Read the full cost-of-living guide
★ Professional

Your Laos 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

  • Laos's healthcare system is developing, with significant disparities between basic public facilities and higher-standard private options, particularly in urban centers.
  • Public healthcare is primarily for Lao citizens and legal residents, often lacking advanced equipment and English-speaking staff, while private clinics and hospitals offer better quality but at a higher cost.
  • As of March 2026, health or life insurance is mandatory for foreign workers to obtain Stay Permits in Laos.
Healthcare guide →
Entry Requirements & Visa Options

Laos offers flexible entry options for international visitors depending on nationality. Citizens of approximately 20 visa-exempt countries—including Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Russia, Switzerland, and Luxembourg—can enter Laos without a visa for stays ranging from 15 to 30 days. However, most travelers from Western countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia require either a visa on arrival or an eVisa. The visa-on-arrival program is available at major international airports (Wattay International Airport in Vientiane,...

Tourism
Work & Business
Long-term Stay
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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.