Top 8 countries to exchange abroad in 2026

Choosing where to do an exchange goes beyond simply searching for a beautiful destination. You need to consider job opportunities, cost of real life, quality of institutions, and career possibilities. This guide presents the 8 best countries for exchange in 2026, with up-to-date data on salaries, work permits, and practical information that really matters.

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1. Germany: strong economy and controlled cost of living

Germany leads as a strategic destination for those seeking premium education without compromising their budget. With a minimum wage of €13.90 per hour since January 2026 (an increase of 8.4% compared to the previous year), the country offers competitive compensation while maintaining costs up to 23% lower than other popular European destinations.

What makes Germany special:

• Next salary adjustment already scheduled for €14.60/hour in January 2027
• Third largest economy in the world with more than 2 million vacancies
• Free public universities after preparatory program
• Blue Card facilitates permanent residence for qualified professionals

The German market values professionals in engineering, IT, and science. Students can work 120 full days or 240 part-time work per year. As best German universities maintain partnerships with companies such as TATA, Deloitte and Zalando, guaranteeing practical experience during training.

Important: To work legally in Germany, you must be enrolled in Studienkolleg (university preparatory school), Ausbildung (vocational course), or undergraduate. Basic language courses do not allow work. The program Study and Work in Germany offers the complete path, from language to university.

Do you want to better understand the opportunities? Check out our Complete guide to salaries in Germany, with detailed data by sector and region.

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2. Ireland: European hub with the second highest minimum wage

Ireland was ranked as the country with the highest minimum wage in Europe: €14.15 per hour in 2026. This represents approximately R$ 14,400 per month for a full 40-hour week. For students who work 20 hours a week, the average income is around €1,132 per month.

Ireland's differentials:

• Visa obtained upon arrival, without prior red tape for Brazilians
• Successive renovations allowing up to 2 years of study and work
• European headquarters of Google, Facebook, Apple and Microsoft in Dublin
• Tickets to other European countries starting at €10

During term time (September to May), you work 20 hours a week. During holidays (June to September and December 15 to January 15), the load increases to 40 hours a week. The sectors that hire the most international students are hospitality, retail, customer service, and technology.

The program Study and Work in Ireland requires a minimum course of 25 weeks. The combination of high salaries and a less bureaucratic process than other European countries makes Ireland especially attractive for first exchange.

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3. Australia: highest minimum wage in the world

At AUD$ 24.95 per hour, Australia maintains the highest global minimum wage. For a 40-hour workweek, this means approximately R$ 13,700 per month. Students who work the permitted 48 biweekly hours during the course earn around AUD$ 2,394 per month.

Why Australia:

• Wages above the minimum for qualified roles
• Work permit with no time limit during academic holidays
• Climate similar to the Brazilian one facilitates adaptation
• Clear Pathways to Permanent Residency

Sydney has the largest labor market but also has a higher cost of living. Melbourne offers an intense cultural life with good employability. Brisbane combines tropical climate with reduced costs. Perth has high salaries and lower competition for vacancies.

The program Study and Work in Australia includes job search support. Courses must last at least 14 weeks, and the visa allows for renewals for those who wish to extend the experience.

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4. Canada: excellent education with easy immigration

Canada invests 6% of GDP in education, guaranteeing institutions with modern infrastructure where 96% of teachers have a master's or doctorate degree. The minimum wage varies between provinces, with an average of CAD$ 17.40 per hour (approximately R$ 12,900 per month for 40 hours a week).

Advantages of the Canadian system:

• Ontario and British Columbia pay between CAD$ 15.00 and CAD$ 19.00 per hour
• 85% of international students get a job after graduation
• Post-Graduation Work Permit allows work after completing the course
• Government-specific programs to retain international students

Canada does not allow working with a basic language course. You need to choose Co-op programs (professional courses with half the time spent in a paid internship) or Public college which entitles you to a post-graduate work permit.

As best Canadian institutions such as Humber College, Seneca, and Douglas College have partnerships with leading companies. O private college with co-op is the main gateway to permanent residence.

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5. New Zealand: third highest salary with quality of life

New Zealand offers NZ$ 23.50 per hour, the third highest minimum wage in the world. This represents approximately R$ 12,700 per month for full-time work. The difference lies in the balance: more controlled costs than Australia allow for greater savings during the exchange.

New Zealand highlights:

• Best work-life balance in the world
• Extremely welcoming and multicultural population
• Extremely low crime rate
• Preserved nature with year-round outdoor activities

Students work 20 hours a week during classes and full time on vacation. Auckland concentrates more employment opportunities, while Wellington and Queenstown offer a higher quality of life with lower costs. The program Study and Work in New Zealand requires a minimum course of 14 weeks.

New Zealand universities encourage independent thinking and creativity. The heated market in technology, agriculture, and tourism absorbs international professionals well, especially in technical areas.

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6. Spain: vibrant culture with multiple possibilities

Spain pays a minimum wage of €1,184 per month distributed in 14 annual installments (including holidays and Christmas). The student visa allows working 30 hours a week with a language or professional course.

Differentials from Spain:

• Much higher salary than the Brazilian salary (R$ 7,245 vs R$ 1,518)
• Spanish is an official language in 21 countries
• Strong presence of international companies in Madrid and Barcelona
• Digital nomadic visa allows remote work for foreign companies

The cost of living varies significantly between regions. Madrid and Barcelona are the most expensive in the country, but Five most expensive Spanish cities they still offer a higher quality of life. Valencia, Seville and Granada cost 30 to 40% less than the capital.

The program Study and Work in Spain allows you to improve Spanish while working. For digital nomads, specific visa requires a minimum monthly income of €2,646.

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7. Malta: Mediterranean Sun with British English

Malta is the only Mediterranean country with English as its official language. The minimum wage of €996 per month (€229.44 per week) may seem modest, but the cost of living 33% below the European average pays off. Housing costs 40 to 60% less than Dublin or London.

Why choose Malta:

• 300 days of sunshine a year
• Small and extremely safe country
• Easy access to other European countries
• Vibrant international student community

The visa allows work of 20 hours a week with a course of 12 weeks or more. The majority of jobs are in hospitality, online gaming, and customer service. The program Study and Work in Malta combines affordable cost with quality British English.

Malta works well for those seeking first contact with Europe without spending as much as in the United Kingdom or Ireland. The strategic location makes weekend trips to Italy, Greece, and North Africa easy.

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8. Dubai: tax exemption and security

Dubai does not have a minimum wage set by law. Each employer negotiates directly with the employee. Students earn between 3,000 and 10,000 AED monthly (R$ 4,300 to R$ 14,300), depending on English qualification and proficiency.

Dubai's unique advantage:

• Zero income tax (you keep 100% of the salary)
• Second safest city in the world for women
• Technology hub with companies like Google
• Simplified visa process

The work letter is issued by the school 6 weeks after arrival. The weather is extreme in summer (up to 50°C), but between November and April the temperatures are pleasant around 29°C. Dubai Internet City and Dubai Knowledge Park concentrate technology companies.

The program Study and Work in the United Arab Emirates offers modern infrastructure and multicultural environment. The absence of personal income taxes allows for significant savings in a short time.

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How to decide between the 8 destinations

Choosing the ideal country depends on your specific goals. Review each aspect carefully:

For maximum savings during the exchange:

• Australia, Germany, and Ireland lead in salaries
• Malta offers the best value for money in Europe
• Dubai allows you to save 100% of your salary (without taxes)

For permanent residence:

• Canada has clearer pathways through colleges
• Germany provides Blue Card for qualified professionals
• Australia and New Zealand offer structured processes

For the first exchange:

• Ireland combines bureaucratic ease with good salaries
• Malta has affordable costs and a safe environment
• Spain allows cultural immersion with 30 hours of work per week

For a career in technology:

• Germany has a strong IT and engineering market
• Ireland hosts European headquarters of tech giants
• Dubai concentrates companies in specialized hubs

Also consider the language you want to master. English opens doors in Ireland, Malta, Australia, New Zealand, and Dubai. German and Spanish are strategic for specific markets. Canada offers a bilingual environment (English and French).

For those seeking University abroad, Germany and Canada lead in academic excellence. If your focus is Learn language Quickly, countries with strong immersion such as Ireland and Malta accelerate the process. Students from 14 to 18 years old can choose the High School in several of these destinations.

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Be Easy

A Be Easy is here to make your exchange dream a reality. Our team offers specialized advice to choose the destination that best matches your objectives, taking care of all the documentation and ensuring full support before, during and after your trip. Get in touch with us and start planning your international experience today.