Jordan

Jordan is a regional leader in medical services, with healthcare accounting for 9% of its GDP. The country has a mix of public and private hospitals, with a significant portion being private.

Both public and private health insurance options are available, with private insurance often used for higher-quality services.

Jordan's long-term residency system is 'complex' and not designed for easy access. Most expats reside in Jordan on a temporary basis linked to employment. Obtaining a work permit requires sponsorship from a Jordanian company, and the process can be bureaucratic. For those not working, it is possible to obtain temporary residency by demonstrating substantial financial means (e.g., through a large bank deposit), but this is not a well-publicized or standard program and is often handled on a case-by-case basis. There is no formal retirement or digital nomad visa.

Many foreigners stay on long-term tourist visas that require exiting and re-entering the country periodically. The lack of clear, accessible pathways for independent residents results in a low score. The process is managed by the Ministry of Interior.

There is no standard pathway to permanent residency in Jordan. The five-year residence permit is the closest equivalent. The pathway to citizenship is 'difficult' and extremely rare for foreigners. The law requires a total of 15 years of legal residence for most Arab nationals and longer for others. The applicant must be of good conduct, have a legal source of income, and not be mentally impaired. The granting of citizenship is highly discretionary. Critically, an applicant must renounce their previous citizenship, as dual nationality is generally not permitted for naturalized citizens. This makes the path to citizenship a near impossibility for most.

Crime Rate: Low. Jordan is generally safe, with low levels of crime.

Types of Crime: Petty theft and burglary, especially in urban areas.

Kidnapping Risk: Low; incidents are rare and typically not targeted at foreigners.

No US-Jordan tax treaty. Jordan taxes residents on foreign income remitted.

Retirees pay 5% tax on foreign pensions. Low property costs in areas like Amman.

Moderate costs (e.g., $1,200/month for a couple). Healthcare quality varies.

Jordan's climate ranges from Mediterranean in the west with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters, to arid desert conditions in the east and south. Rainfall varies significantly across regions, with the western highlands receiving more precipitation.

Jordan offers decent internet infrastructure with improving speeds and reasonable reliability for the Middle East region.

Speed & Quality: Fixed broadband averages 45-50 Mbps with fiber expanding in cities. Orange, Zain, and Umniah provide competitive services.

Availability: Good in Amman and major cities, decent in smaller towns, limited in rural desert areas.

Cost: Moderate pricing at JD 20-40 monthly for decent speeds, competitive for the regional market.

Reliability for Remote Work: Generally reliable with good customer support. Strong mobile networks provide backup. Amman has growing tech and coworking scenes, becoming increasingly attractive for Middle Eastern remote workers.

Jordan has a well-developed transportation system with good road infrastructure and modern airports.

Roads: Excellent highway system including the Desert Highway connecting north to south Jordan.

Rail: Limited passenger rail service; the Hedjaz Railway operates one train daily.

Domestic Travel: Three international airports serve the country with good connections; buses and taxis provide domestic transport.