Moving to Palau from New Zealand
What to Expect
Everything you need to know before relocating from New Zealand to Palau — costs, safety, healthcare, and practical first steps.
If you moved from New Zealand to Palau. You’ll also switch from driving on the left to the right.
Get free moving quotes to Palau
We've teamed up with a vetted network of international movers to help MyLifeElsewhere readers plan their move with confidence. Tell us about your move and get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes in under 2 minutes.
- ✅ Up to 5 quotes from screened movers
- ✅ Licensed and insured providers only
- ✅ 100% free — you choose who contacts you
Key Indicator Comparison
Key indicators for anyone considering a move from New Zealand to Palau.
Is it safe?
per 100,000 people per year
per 100,000 people per year
New Zealand performs better than Palau across all safety metrics.
How's the healthcare?
annual government + private spending per person
affects wait times and access to care
WHO index from 0–100 measuring essential service access
New Zealand generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Palau leads in healthcare spending per person.
What about the environment?
tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year
New Zealand performs better than Palau across all environment metrics.
Will I have good infrastructure?
fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work
New Zealand performs better than Palau across all infrastructure metrics.
What are the job prospects?
percentage of the labour force without work
a broad measure of economic output per person
New Zealand generally does better on employment & economy, though Palau leads in unemployment rate.
Is it good for families?
average years of life at birth
deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better
government spending on education as % of GDP
New Zealand 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 New Zealand 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.
New Zealand passport holder visiting Palau
Visa on Arrival
Palau passport holder visiting New Zealand
Visa RequiredData: 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?
New Zealand performs better than Palau across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Palau is 11.2 per 100,000 people, compared to 1.1 in New Zealand.
How is healthcare in Palau compared to New Zealand?
New Zealand 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 35.7 in New Zealand. Palau scores 65 on the WHO universal health coverage index (New Zealand: 85).
What language do they speak in Palau?
The official languages in Palau are English and Palauan. In New Zealand, the official languages are English, Māori and New Zealand Sign Language.
