Moving to Taiwan from New Zealand
What to Expect
Everything you need to know before relocating from New Zealand to Taiwan — costs, safety, healthcare, and practical first steps.
If you moved from New Zealand to Taiwan, you would find that Taiwan is 22.1% cheaper than New Zealand overall. A NZ$125,240 salary in New Zealand would need to be roughly NT$1,959,052 in Taiwan to maintain the same lifestyle, and you’d need to navigate life in Chinese. You’ll also switch from driving on the left to the right.
How Far Will Your Money Go?
What to expect for your wallet after moving from New Zealand to Taiwan.
What does your salary buy?
NZ$125,240 → NT$1,959,052
To maintain the same standard of living in Taiwan
Calculate with your salary →Where you'll feel the difference day-to-day
Restaurants
pay 57.6% less
Groceries
pay 25.3% more
Transportation
pay 24.1% less
Housing
pay 55.0% less
Childcare
pay 2.8% more
Entertainment and Sports
pay 33.0% less
Data: MyLifeElsewhere's crowdsourced cost of living database, with prices submitted and updated by users worldwide. Exchange rates are refreshed regularly from public sources.
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Key Indicator Comparison
Key indicators for anyone considering a move from New Zealand to Taiwan.
What are the job prospects?
percentage of the labour force without work
a broad measure of economic output per person
the highest marginal rate on personal income
New Zealand generally does better on employment & economy, though Taiwan leads in unemployment rate.
Is it good for families?
average years of life at birth
deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better
New Zealand performs better than Taiwan across all family life metrics.
Data: New Zealand Inland Revenue Department, The World Factbook
Visitor Visa Requirements
Short-stay tourist visa rules between New Zealand and Taiwan. To live, work, or study long-term in Taiwan, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Taiwan's immigration authority.
New Zealand passport holder visiting Taiwan
Visa Free
Taiwan passport holder visiting New Zealand
Electronic Travel AuthorisationData: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to live in Taiwan than New Zealand?
Yes — Taiwan is on average about 17% cheaper than New Zealand. City-level variation can be significant.
How much money do I need to move to Taiwan?
Plan for at least 3 months of living expenses — roughly NT$489,763 in Taiwan on a NZ$125,240 comparable salary — plus one-off moving costs (flights, shipping, deposits, visa fees).
Can I work remotely from Taiwan?
Usually fine from major cities in Taiwan. The harder questions are legal — digital nomad visa eligibility, your employer's overseas-work policy, and tax residency in both countries.
What language do they speak in Taiwan?
The official language in Taiwan is Chinese. In New Zealand, the official languages are English, Māori and New Zealand Sign Language.
