The Global Expat Hub
Taiwan
One of Asia's safest, friendliest and most affordable developed places, with national health insurance that expats rave about; earthquakes, typhoons and geopolitics hang over it.
Your plan for Taiwan checklist · timeline · cost breakdown
Estimates for one adult before ongoing rent and living costs; couples and families scale up. Tap a plan for the full breakdown.
Top cities for expats in Taiwan
Costs and character vary significantly within Taiwan. Here are the cities our readers compare most.
Modern, safe and incredibly cheap for a world-class city — expat favourite
Taiwan's second city — warmer climate and a growing creative scene
Southern port city with beaches nearby and very affordable living
Taiwan's oldest city — food, history and the most authentic Taiwanese culture
Taiwan by the numbers editorial estimates in US dollars
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🌤️ Climate
Subtropical north, tropical south; hot humid summers, mild damp winters, typhoons Jul–Oct, plum rains in May.
Mean temperatures for Taipei.
🌧️ Rain & snow
Rainfall about 2,500 mm (98 in) a year.
Snow High mountains only.
⚖️ The law
Official legislationLaws & Regulations Database (Ministry of Justice) ↗
OverviewLaw of Taiwan on Wikipedia ↗
Driving On the right. Licence rules →
🏛️ Taxes
Property tax House tax 1.2% and land value tax, both on low assessed values; typically $200–600/yr.
Local & regional income tax None regional; national 5–40%.
🎓 University
Not free but cheap: public ~$2k/yr, private $3–4k/yr.
📱 Phone & eSIM
Carriers Chunghwa, Taiwan Mobile, Far EasTone.
Average cost Local SIM or eSIM with generous data about $15/month; a 30-day travel eSIM (Airalo, Holafly, Saily and similar) around $12 for 10 GB.
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🎁 Schemes to attract expats
- Employment Gold Card with 50% tax break on income above ~$100k for 5 years
- National Health Insurance for ~$30/mo after 6 months
- Very low property and living costs for a developed economy
- Entrepreneur visa
Figures are national averages for planning, not quotes; big cities run higher. Tax schemes change often and carry conditions. Verify before you rely on them.
Official sources for Taiwan embassies, warnings, law and reference
Government, intergovernmental and reference sites only; no reviews or opinion. Links open in a new tab.
Ratings & warnings independent
Follows your Mid-range tier partner listings match your budget
Services & daily life one labelled partner per page
Life in Taiwan faith, wellbeing, shopping and play
Holidays & festivalsNational holidays, closures and the festivals worth planning aroundSearch for jobs for free, or post a job — free.
Roles open to foreigners in Taiwan: remote work you can do from Taipei, and in-person jobs with employers who hire from abroad. Searching for and posting expat jobs is always free, for job seekers and employers alike. Every listing stays live for 60 days.
Latest listings. Example listings shown until the first real posts go live.
See all jobs in Taiwan and post a job →
In the meantime, search these trusted remote job boards
Free to use. These are independent sites we like; opening in a new tab. Come back to post your own role here — posting is always free.
Frequently asked questions
Is Taiwan safe for expats?
Taiwan scores 94 out of 100 for safety on The Global Expat Hub, and 72 out of 100 for liveability — #12 of the 52 countries we cover. The full breakdown, including official warnings and regional differences, is on the safety page linked from this page.
What is the cost of living in Taiwan?
The Global Expat Hub estimates a mid-range lifestyle in Taiwan from around $1,900 per month. The figures are national averages for planning, not quotes — big cities run higher — and this page breaks costs down by tier and city.
Can I move to Taiwan?
Yes. The routes and incentives The Global Expat Hub lists for Taiwan include: Employment Gold Card with 50% tax break on income above ~$100k for 5 years; national Health Insurance for ~$30/mo after 6 months; very low property and living costs for a developed economy; entrepreneur visa. Step-by-step visa and residency detail is on the visa pages linked from this page.
What is the best city in Taiwan for expats?
The top cities for expats in Taiwan profiled on this page are Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung. Taipei is the capital. Each city profile includes typical rent and character to help you compare.