Moving to Sri Lanka from Taiwan
What to Expect
Considering a move from Taiwan to Sri Lanka? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.
If you moved from Taiwan to Sri Lanka, you would find that Sri Lanka is 51.2% cheaper than Taiwan overall. A NT$2,400,000 salary in Taiwan would need to be roughly LKR12,100,000 in Sri Lanka to maintain the same lifestyle, and you’d need to navigate life in Sinhala and Tamil. You’ll also switch from driving on the right to the left.
Planning this move? Get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes from vetted international movers. Get free quotes ↓How Far Will Your Money Go?
A breakdown of how everyday costs differ between Taiwan and Sri Lanka.
What does your salary buy?
NT$2,400,000 → LKR12,100,000
To maintain the same standard of living in Sri Lanka
Calculate with your salary →How key spending categories compare
Restaurants
pay 27.1% less
Groceries
pay 49.6% less
Transportation
pay 42.3% less
Housing
pay 46.4% less
Childcare
pay 95.4% less
Entertainment and Sports
pay 40.8% 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.
Get free moving quotes to Sri Lanka
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
The numbers behind daily life in Sri Lanka compared to Taiwan.
Will I have good infrastructure?
share of households with internet
Taiwan performs better than Sri Lanka across all infrastructure metrics.
What are the job prospects?
percentage of the labour force without work
the highest marginal rate on personal income
share of people below the poverty line
Taiwan generally does better on employment & economy, though Sri Lanka leads in top income tax rate.
Is it good for families?
average years of life at birth
deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better
percentage of adults who can read and write
Taiwan performs better than Sri Lanka across all family life metrics.
Sources: The World Factbook (2012–2022), World Bank (2019–2025), Taxation Administration, Ministry of Finance, R.O.C. (2016), Sri Lanka Inland Revenue Department (2016). How we calculate this
Visitor Visa Requirements
Short-stay tourist visa rules between Taiwan and Sri Lanka. To live, work, or study long-term in Sri Lanka, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Sri Lanka's immigration authority.
Taiwan passport holder visiting Sri Lanka
Electronic Travel Authorisation
Sri Lanka passport holder visiting Taiwan
Visa RequiredData: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to live in Sri Lanka than Taiwan?
On average Sri Lanka is about 51% less expensive than Taiwan, with major cities narrowing the gap.
How much money do I need to move to Sri Lanka?
Budget about LKR3,025,000 for 3 months in Sri Lanka (based on a NT$2,400,000 comparable annual salary), then add the one-off costs: flights, shipping, a rental deposit, and visa fees.
Can I work remotely from Sri Lanka?
From major Sri Lanka cities the network usually holds up. Visa rules, your employer's stance on overseas employees, and tax residency in Taiwan and Sri Lanka are what actually decide it long-term.
What language do they speak in Sri Lanka?
The official languages in Sri Lanka are Sinhala and Tamil. In Taiwan, the official language is Chinese.
