The best person for the job isn't always within commuting distance of the office. Sometimes they're halfway around the world. Companies competing for top talent are increasingly looking beyond their borders to find the skills and expertise they need to grow.
But where to hire? No two companies have the same business needs. The best countries to hire employees will depend on the roles a company needs to fill, its budget, and other priorities, such as collaborating across time zones or establishing a presence in new markets.
What to Consider When Choosing a Country for Global Hiring
Here are a few important factors to consider to help narrow it down:
- Available skills: Some countries have larger concentrations of professionals in certain fields, such as software development, engineering, or finance.
- Total employment expenses: Salaries vary by country, industry, and role. Mandatory benefits and social contributions can also add significantly to hiring costs.
- Language: Consider how employees will communicate with colleagues and customers. Language barriers can make collaboration more difficult, while multilingual employees can help companies reach new markets.
- Time zone overlap: Consider how closely employees' working hours need to align with colleagues and customers when choosing a country. Some roles require regular real-time collaboration, while others offer more flexibility.
- Local employment requirements: Employers typically need to comply with the employment laws where the employee works, even if the company is based elsewhere, and laws governing working hours, paid leave, and termination can affect both costs and daily operations.
The overall importance of each factor depends on the hiring company's goals. For example, a country that's ideal for hiring software engineers might not be the best choice for building a customer support team.
10 Best Countries for International Hiring
So, which countries are worth considering for global expansion? We've narrowed it down to 10 that stand out for their skilled workforces, growing industries, access to important markets, and other advantages for companies looking to hire internationally.
Each country offers different opportunities, along with a few challenges employers should consider before making a decision. They're listed in no particular order, so the best choice will depend on a company's goals and hiring needs.
1. India
Few countries can match India's depth in technology talent. It has the world's largest English-speaking STEM workforce and is the second-largest producer of AI talent globally. Companies regularly seek candidates in India to fill software engineering, data, finance, and operations roles.
Many Indian professionals have experience working with global teams, and English is widely used in business. Working hours also align reasonably well with European teams.
Competition for specialized talent can be fierce, particularly in AI and machine learning. Employers should also account for regional differences in salary expectations when budgeting for new hires. And for North American companies, the time difference may mean relying more on asynchronous communication.
2. Philippines
The Philippines has spent decades building one of the world's largest IT and business process management industries. Today, companies look to the country to tap into talent in customer support, analytics, engineering, finance, healthcare information management, and digital services.
This makes the Philippines particularly appealing for companies building customer-facing teams or outsourcing business operations. Government and industry partners are also investing in AI and digital skills training to prepare workers for more specialized roles.
English is widely spoken, making communication with international colleagues and customers easier. Working hours also align well with companies in Australia and much of Asia. For North American businesses, the time difference may require more asynchronous collaboration or employees working night shifts.
While employment costs can be relatively affordable, employers should budget for mandatory social contributions and 13th-month pay. Private health coverage is also a common benefit for companies competing to attract and retain skilled employees.
3. Canada
Canada offers access to a highly educated workforce with expertise in technology, engineering, finance, and professional services. In addition, Toronto and Montreal are home to internationally recognized AI research institutes, making the country particularly appealing for companies looking to hire machine learning and data science specialists.
For U.S. companies, Canada has a major advantage: proximity. Similar working hours make it easier for employees to collaborate with colleagues and customers across the border, while close economic ties make Canada a natural choice for companies looking to establish a presence in North America.
Canada's English- and French-speaking workforce is another benefit, particularly for businesses serving customers in multiple markets. Bilingual professionals can help companies support clients in both languages.
There are a few practical considerations, however. Hiring experienced professionals can be expensive, particularly in major cities. Employment requirements also differ by province, and Quebec has specific French-language rules to be aware of that affect hiring and workplace communications.
4. Colombia
Colombia is an appealing choice for North American companies looking to build remote teams, thanks in part to its convenient time zone. With working hours that align closely with the U.S. and Canada, employees can easily collaborate with colleagues and serve customers in real time.
Colombia's growing technology sector also makes it a promising place to find software developers, IT specialists, and other digital talent. And, for companies serving Spanish-speaking customers across the Americas, it's a popular location for customer support and business services.
English proficiency may be a challenge for some roles. Colombia ranks in the low proficiency category in the EF English Proficiency Index, so companies hiring employees who need to communicate in English should assess candidates' language skills.
Evening and weekend coverage can also cost more. Recent labor reforms have increased premium pay requirements, which can affect budgets for customer support teams working outside regular business hours.
5. United States
The United States offers access to one of the world's largest workforces, with particularly strong talent in technology, AI, biotechnology, finance, and other specialized fields. Its tech workforce alone is projected to reach nearly 9.8 million in 2026.
For international companies serving American customers, hiring U.S.-based employees offers another major advantage. U.S.-based salespeople, account managers, and solutions engineers understand the local market, customer expectations, and business practices.They can also work directly with clients during normal business hours, making it easier to build relationships and provide ongoing support.
The biggest consideration is cost. U.S. private-sector employers spent an average of USD 46.89 per hour on employee compensation in June 2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Employers should also account for benefits, which make up approximately 30% of average compensation costs, when budgeting for U.S. hires. Health insurance is a key part of a competitive benefits package, which can make all the difference when trying to attract highly skilled, experienced professionals.
6. Brazil
Brazil is Latin America's largest IT market and has a thriving startup scene, making it a strong choice for companies looking to hire software developers, engineers, product designers, and other digital specialists.
The country's fintech industry is particularly well established, with more than 1,800 companies working across digital payments, banking, lending, insurance, and other financial services. Brazil also has growing healthtech, edtech, and agritech sectors.
For companies in North America, Brazil offers considerable overlap in working hours, making collaboration easier. Portuguese is the primary language, however, and English proficiency varies. Brazil is classified in the low proficiency category in the EF English Proficiency Index, so employers should assess language skills for roles that require regular communication in English.
Employers also must look beyond base salaries when comparing hiring costs. Brazilian law mandates several employee benefits, including a 13th-month salary, vacation bonuses, and contributions to social security and the FGTS severance fund.
7. Spain
Spain is one of the most affordable countries for companies hiring in Western Europe. According to Eurostat, employers spent an average of EUR 26.40 per hour on labor in Spain in 2025, about 24% below the EU average.
But affordability is only part of the appeal. Cities like Madrid and Barcelona are well-established startup and tech hubs, and the country has made a deliberate push to attract international talent. Spain's 2022 Startup Law was designed to draw in entrepreneurs, investors, and skilled professionals.
Spanish-speaking employees can also support customers across Latin America, while overlapping working hours with much of continental Europe make collaboration with EU-based teams easier.
One thing employers should know about hiring in Spain is that employees commonly receive their annual salary in 14 installments rather than 12, with two extra payments typically made in summer and at Christmas.
In our own Global Hiring Index of where companies are hiring, in the last 6 months since we started tracking, Spain stayed in the top 5 every month of places companies were looking to hire talent. We refresh our index every month, you can check out past and current trends of real data from RemoFirst customers.
8. Netherlands
The Netherlands is a strong choice for companies seeking engineers, software developers, product specialists, and professionals with international business experience. Amsterdam has a thriving tech and startup scene, particularly in fintech and financial services, with companies such as Adyen, Mollie, and bunq based there.
The Dutch region of Eindhoven is a major center for technical talent. It’s home to more than 5,000 tech and IT companies and organizations, with particular strengths in advanced manufacturing, robotics, semiconductor technology, and embedded software development.
English proficiency is another major advantage of hiring in the Netherlands. The country ranked first among 123 non-native English-speaking countries and regions in the EF English Proficiency Index, making it an appealing location for international teams that work primarily in English.
However, hiring in the Netherlands comes at a higher monetary cost than in many other European countries. At EUR 47.90 per hour, it had the third-highest hourly labor costs in the EU in 2025, according to Eurostat. Employers also need to budget for a mandatory holiday allowance of at least 8% of an employee's gross annual salary.
9. Germany
Germany has a long history of engineering and technical innovation, particularly in automotive technology, industrial automation, and advanced manufacturing. That expertise extends into software development, AI, and other digital fields, making the country an appealing choice for companies hiring specialized technical talent.
Germany is home to one of Europe's largest technology sectors. According to the Federal Employment Agency, the country had approximately 1.6 million IT and communications professionals in 2025. Germany is also Europe's largest software market, with particular strengths in enterprise software, cloud technology, and cybersecurity.
For companies serving German customers, having employees who understand the local market can make a big difference. German-speaking sales professionals, account managers, and customer success specialists can help build relationships with businesses in Europe's largest economy.
Hiring in Germany does come with some challenges, particularly higher costs and competition for specialized talent. Companies may need to offer higher salaries to attract experienced professionals. German-language skills are also important for many customer-facing roles, although international tech teams may work primarily in English.
10. United Kingdom
The United Kingdom offers access to experienced professionals across finance, technology, consulting, and the creative industries. London is one of the world's leading financial centers, while cities such as Manchester, Edinburgh, and Bristol have established technology communities with strengths in software development, AI, and cybersecurity.
The U.K. has a thriving fintech industry, with more than 3,000 companies employing over 75,000 people nationwide. That gives businesses access to professionals with experience in digital banking, payments, and related services. Manchester is another promising market for technical talent, with more than 10,000 digital and technology businesses.
For companies serving British customers, hiring U.K.-based salespeople, account managers, and customer success specialists can help build stronger relationships. These employees understand the local market and can work directly with customers during regular business hours.
For international teams, the U.K. offers the convenience of a shared language and working hours that overlap with Europe and part of the North American workday. The downside is higher hiring costs, especially for experienced professionals in London and other competitive markets.
Other Countries Worth Considering for Global Expansion
The 10 countries above aren't the only places worth exploring. Several other markets stand out for their skilled workforces, competitive hiring costs, and opportunities to reach customers in different regions.
Depending on a company's hiring needs, budget, and target markets, these five countries may also be worth considering.
- Ireland: Ireland is a strong choice for companies hiring in technology, pharmaceuticals, and professional services. Dublin is home to the European headquarters of major companies like Google and Meta, helping support an established technology ecosystem. An English-speaking workforce and working hours that align with the U.K. and much of Europe are additional advantages.
- Singapore: For companies looking to build a presence in Asia-Pacific, Singapore offers access to experienced professionals in finance, technology, logistics, and professional services. English is an official language, making communication with international teams easier. The country also has a stable business environment and strong infrastructure, although hiring costs tend to be higher than in many neighboring markets.
- Mexico: Mexico's proximity to the U.S. and Canada makes it particularly appealing to North American companies. Similar working hours make collaboration easier, while its workforce offers opportunities to hire professionals in technology, finance, and business services. Employment costs can also be lower than in the U.S., although employers need to account for local requirements such as mandatory profit-sharing and social security contributions.
- Poland: Poland offers access to skilled professionals in software engineering, cybersecurity, product development, and data analytics, often at lower hiring costs than in Western Europe. As an EU member, it's also an appealing choice for companies building European teams. Its working hours align well with much of Europe and the Middle East.
- Vietnam: Vietnam is an emerging market for engineering, quality assurance, and design talent. Competitive labor costs make it worth considering for companies building technical teams in Asia-Pacific. The country has also invested in technology infrastructure and introduced policies aimed at attracting foreign investment, helping support its growing technology sector.
How to Hire Employees in Another Country
Once a company finds the right candidate abroad, it needs to determine how to employ them legally. There are two main approaches: hiring through a local legal entity or partnering with an Employer of Record (EOR).
Hire Through a Local Entity
If a company already has a legal entity in a country, it can use it to hire employees directly. If not, setting one up takes time and money, from registering the business and setting up payroll to handling ongoing legal and accounting requirements.
That investment may be worthwhile for companies planning to hire a large team or establish long-term operations. But for just one or two employees, the time and costs may be hard to justify.
Partner With an Employer of Record
An Employer of Record (EOR) allows companies to employ people internationally without establishing their own legal entities. The EOR becomes the legal employer and handles employment contracts, payroll, taxes, statutory benefits, and other local employment requirements.
The hiring company continues to manage the employee's day-to-day work, including assignments, goals, and performance. Meanwhile, the EOR provides local employment expertise and helps reduce compliance risks.
An EOR can be particularly useful for companies hiring a few employees in different countries or testing a new market.
Take Your Global Expansion Plans Further With RemoFirst
The right people can help your company break into new markets, reach more customers, and grow internationally. And once you've found them, hiring across borders shouldn't hold you back.
With RemoFirst, you can employ people in 185+ countries without opening a local legal entity. As your Employer of Record, we handle employment contracts, payroll, benefits, and local compliance requirements while you manage your team. And with pricing starting at just USD 199 per employee per month, international hiring doesn't have to come with a huge price tag.
Need more support? We can help with international health insurance, background checks, and visas and work permits too.
Whether you're making your first international hire or building teams across multiple countries, we're here to help.
Book a demo and see how RemoFirst can help turn your global expansion plans into reality.
