Moving to Palau from Brunei

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What to Expect

Everything you need to know before relocating from Brunei to Palau — costs, safety, healthcare, and practical first steps.

If you moved from Brunei to Palau, and you’d need to navigate life in English and Palauan. You’ll also switch from driving on the left to the right.

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Key Indicator Comparison

Key indicators for anyone considering a move from Brunei to Palau.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2018

per 100,000 people per year

BN
0.5
PW
11.2
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

BN
3.6
PW
22.2

Brunei performs better than Palau across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

BN
$1,896
PW
$1,857
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

affects wait times and access to care

BN
19.1
PW
17.8

Brunei generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Palau leads in healthcare spending per person.

What about the environment?

CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

BN
20.2t
PW
82.8t

Brunei performs better than Palau across all environment metrics.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

BN
20.1
PW
6.9

Brunei performs better than Palau across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

BN
5.3%
PW
1.7%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

BN
$77,900
PW
$15,800

Brunei generally does better on employment & economy, though Palau leads in unemployment rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

BN
78.4 yrs
PW
74.6 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

BN
10.5
PW
11.3

Brunei generally does better on family life, though Palau leads in education spending.

Data: The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Brunei and Palau. To live, work, or study long-term in Palau, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Palau's immigration authority.

Brunei passport

Brunei passport holder visiting Palau

Visa on Arrival
Brunei passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival in Palau.
Palau passport

Palau passport holder visiting Brunei

Visa Required
Palau passport holders need a visa to enter Brunei.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Palau?

Internet is rarely the blocker — Palau has 6.9 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people. The real questions are legal: digital nomad visa eligibility, your employer's overseas-work policy, and tax residency in both countries.

Is Palau safe for expats?

Brunei performs better than Palau across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Palau is 11.2 per 100,000 people, compared to 0.5 in Brunei.

How is healthcare in Palau compared to Brunei?

Brunei generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Palau leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 17.8 doctors per 10,000 people in Palau, compared to 19.1 in Brunei. Palau scores 65 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Brunei: 78).

What language do they speak in Palau?

The official languages in Palau are English and Palauan. In Brunei, the official language is Malay.

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At a Glance

BN PW
Population 478,054 21,695
Currency Brunei Dollar (BND) United States Dollar ($)
Languages Malay English, Palauan
Driving side Left Right
Calling code +673 +680
Time zones 1 1