Moving to Palau from Maldives

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What to Expect

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

If you moved from Maldives 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 Maldives to Palau.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

per 100,000 people per year

MV
0.6
PW
11.2
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

MV
1.3
PW
22.2

Maldives 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

MV
$2,288
PW
$1,857
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2020

affects wait times and access to care

MV
21.6
PW
17.8

Palau generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Maldives leads in doctors per 10,000 people.

What about the environment?

CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

MV
3.6t
PW
82.8t

Maldives 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

MV
17.4
PW
6.9

Maldives 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

MV
4.1%
PW
1.7%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

MV
$22,400
PW
$15,800

Maldives 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

MV
76.9 yrs
PW
74.6 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

MV
25.7
PW
11.3

Maldives generally does better on family life, though Palau leads in infant mortality.

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

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Maldives 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.

Maldives passport

Maldives passport holder visiting Palau

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

Palau passport holder visiting Maldives

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

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?

Maldives performs better than Palau across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Palau is 11.2 per 100,000 people, compared to 0.6 in Maldives.

How is healthcare in Palau compared to Maldives?

Palau generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Maldives leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 17.8 doctors per 10,000 people in Palau, compared to 21.6 in Maldives. Palau scores 65 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Maldives: 61).

What language do they speak in Palau?

The official languages in Palau are English and Palauan. In Maldives, the official language is Maldivian.

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At a Glance

MV PW
Population 390,164 21,695
Currency Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR) United States Dollar ($)
Languages Maldivian English, Palauan
Driving side Left Right
Calling code +960 +680
Time zones 1 1