Driving your special car around is a joy to behold for many car enthusiasts, touring the vast lands and enjoying the breeze.
Imagine cruising down a highway with no speed limit, the roar of your engine echoing through scenic mountains, or attending a world-class auto show just minutes from your new home. This is the dream for many but only a few get to live it since most countries are not so friendly to car enthusiasts.
Car lovers want countries with car-friendly policies like lenient modification laws, access to racetracks, affordable fuel, and above all, have a pathway to residency.
If you’re looking to reside in countries that let you live your dream, you may just get your wish as we discuss the best countries for car enthusiasts to obtain residency.
Relocating to places where your hobby intertwines with building a quality life is bliss. This guide helps make that a reality. But before we show you the top countries for car enthusiasts with residency pathways, let’s see what makes a country car lover-friendly?
In This Article:
What Makes a Country Car-Enthusiast-Friendly?
With a lot of talk about countries that are friendly to car lovers, it is easy to get lost about what this actually means. Knowing why some countries are said to be friendly and others not so much is vital to getting the right residency program. Here are some of the factors that makes a country perfect for car lovers:
Road Infrastructure
By far one of the most critical factors for a country to be tagged car lover-friendly is its road infrastructure. Good road networks are just as important as the policies when it comes to cars as it ensures smooth and safe rides.
The best countries have roads that drivers dream of, smooth and well maintained. Think Germany’s Autobahn with its famous no-speed-limit sections, or Canada’s Icefields Parkway, a 230 km stretch through the mountains showcasing a breathtaking view.
Car Culture
Aside from a good road network, an exceptional car culture will also elevate a country to the top of the list of favorable places for car enthusiasts. We’re talking about regular car events and generally car-friendly people.
When the community has a strong culture, there’ll be local clubs and events like New Zealand’s Leadfoot Festival. Sometimes, it’s just about the history of cars in that country.
Modification Laws
Car lovers almost always love modifications too which means they want regions with lenient modification laws so they are not limited.
Modifying or upgrading cars like it is called in some climes is a way for car enthusiasts to explore their creativity and help their cars reach new heights in performance and feel.
The law in some countries makes this impossible which is why countries with lenient laws are in high demand. Countries like Australia with their strict modification laws make it a challenge to improve car features.
Cost Factors
More often than not, it all boils down to cost and affordability. Car enthusiasts want to know how affordable it is to fuel, maintain, insure and use their cars in that country.
Affordable car ownership means more budget for events, road trios, modifications, and standard of living. Even though car lovers want a friendly place, they also want to be able to afford other vital needs.
Motorsports Access
For many, access to racetracks, drift courses, or even rally events are a must which is why seeking a country with designated areas for this is vital.
Whether it is South Korea’s emerging EV racing or Germany’s Nürburgring Nordschleife, a 20.8 km public-access track, a country for car lovers should provide access to this.
Path to Residency
Just enjoying all these and having to go back is not the life for many car enthusiasts that is why a clear path to residency is an important factor that makes a country car lover-friendly.
Countries where getting residency or even citizenship is not shrouded in secrecy but has a clear and detailed path to obtaining one. So any enthusiast who qualifies can start the process of obtaining citizenship and possibly a second passport in their chosen country and enjoy the benefits that come with it.
Top 5 Countries For Car Enthusiasts To Seek Residency
While countries do not particularly offer residency based on hobbies, you can make the best decision by keeping yours in mind.
With that you can choose a place that offers you a path to residency or even citizenship while catering to your needs as a car lover. If you need help choosing the right residency program that fits your needs, the experts at Global Residency Index have all the answers to your questions.
Ready to see the top countries to seek residency as a car enthusiast? Let’s jump right in:
- Canada
Canada tops our list of countries to seek residency as a car enthusiast for many reasons chief of which is the amazing quality of roads in the country.
Being an extremely large country by land mass, its vast highways are almost endless with roads in British Columbia and Ontario winding through forests and mountains, ideal for scenic cruises.
It gets even better for car enthusiasts here as modification laws are relaxed especially for light works like exhausts and suspension.
With fuel prices being at an affordable 1.3 CAD per liter, enjoying different car events like Canadian Tire Motorsport Park near Toronto and the Canadian International AutoShow becomes a huge draw.
Canada has different residency pathways that car enthusiasts can explore to legally live in the country.
Residency Pathways:
- Express Entry Program: the target here are skilled workers with applicants requiring a Comprehensive Ranking System score based on age, education, work experience, and language skills. With the process taking between 6 and 12 months, the cost is around 2,300 CAD for a single applicant, including permanent residency fees.
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): this program allows provinces to nominate individuals with the right qualifications for residency. And Ontario’s program prioritizes auto industry workers, such as designers or technicians. It takes about 12 to 18 months to process, with fees around 1,500 CAD.
- Start-Up Visa: this pathway is best suited to entrepreneurs starting car-related businesses, like tuning shops. Applicants need a 200,000 CAD investment, a business plan, and a letter of support from a designated Canadian organization. The timeline is the same to the PNP pathway of 12 to 18 months but costs a higher fee at 2,140 CAD.
- Germany
Germany has always had a rich car history with many popular car brands like Mercedes and BMW all based in the country. The Autobahn’s unrestricted speed zones let drivers push limits legally.
There are so many more car-friendly activities and routes to explore in the country like the Black Forest roads twist through scenic hills, perfect for spirited drives. Fuel costs around 1.60 euros per liter in 2025, reasonable for Europe’s infrastructure.
Residency here is achievable with the right qualifications depending on whether you chose the EU Blue Card or a business visa.
Residency Pathways:
- EU Blue Card: Designed for skilled professionals where applicants need a recognized degree, a job offer with the necessary salary minimums and a work contract. The application through the employer and local immigration office takes 3 to 6 months. Fees are minimal at only around 140 euros.
- Business Visa: if you’re launching a business whether car related or not, this residency pathway may be the best option. However, the requirements are steep with applicants required to invest about 100,000 euros, submit a viable business plan, and show economic benefit to Germany. There’s even a pathway to permanent residency after three years of successful business.
- Spain
This small European country may not have the long highways of Canada but what it lacks in sheer length, it makes up for it in scenic views.
Spain enchants with sunny roads and motorsport fervor. Its highways network is ranked as the third largest in the world in terms of length.
Modification laws permit aftermarket upgrades, unlike stricter nations like Australia. And while fuel is not the most affordable at 1.50 euros per liter in 2025, it is manageable for Europe.
Events like the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya that hosts Formula 1 and public track days, draw a crowd of car enthusiasts from across the world. Imagine not having to make that long commute since you live in the country.
This is what a residency in Spain gets you and there are different ways to obtain that permit. .
Residency Pathways:
- Non-Lucrative Visa: it is perfect for those with passive income, like retirees or remote workers as you don’t need to have a job to get this visa, as long as you can prove sufficient income. Applicants need 28,800 euros annual income for a single person, proven via bank statements or investments. The visa lasts one year and is renewable if conditions are met.
- Golden Visa: this is the popular golden visa where a 500,000 euro investment in real estate, a car business, or other assets is required. It takes about 6 to 12 months to process, with fees around 70 euros. This visa offers a path to permanent residency after five years.
- South Korea
Despite not having the type of rich car history countries like Germany can boast of, South Korea, however, can boast of having a present car community that ranges from manufacturing of some popular brands like Hyundai and Kia innovation and a booming EV scene.
Seoul’s sleek roads and Busan’s coastal highways excite drivers. Modified cars grow popular, though exhaust and safety rules apply.
Fuel costs about 1,800 won per liter in 2025, affordable for Asia. There are so many car events to attend in South Korea like the Seoul Auto Salon that highlights cutting-edge designs and mods.
Residency Pathways:
- D-8 Investor Visa: Targets entrepreneurs starting businesses, but requires a 100 million won investment (around 75,000 USD), a detailed business plan, and incorporation documents. Processing time is quick, usually taking between 1 and 3 months, with fees around 100,000 won. The visa lasts one to two years, renewable with business success.
- H-1 Working Holiday Visa: Allows 18- to 30-year-olds from eligible countries to work and explore for one year. Applicants need a valid passport, 3 million won in savings, and health insurance. Like the previous pathway, processing time is quick, usually 1 to 2 months and the fee is around 60,000 won. Extensions are limited, but it’s a start for enthusiasts.
- New Zealand
New Zealand has the highest car ownership rate per capita, emphasizing their strong car culture and a country with friendly car ownership policies.
This country dazzles with breathtaking roads and a passionate car community. Places like Arthur’s Pass and Milford Sound highways offer epic drives through mountains.
And yes, you can modify your cars in New Zealand since they have lenient modification policies; however, safety inspections are strict so you have to keep this in mind. Fuel costs around 2.50 NZD per liter but is balanced by stunning routes.
Residency Pathways:
- Skilled Migrant Category: This New Zealand residency pathway uses a points-based system for professionals. After meeting the strict requirements, the processing time takes 9 to 14 months, with fees around 4,020 NZD. This program is highly sought after because permanent residency is possible after two years.
- Investor Visa: Investor 2 requires a 3 million NZD investment in bonds or businesses while Investor 1 needs 10 million NZD. These two levels of the investor visa pathway to New Zealand residency are perfect for entrepreneurs. Applicants must show lawful funds, good health, and a clean record. Processing lasts 12 to 18 months, with fees around 4,950 NZD.
How To Choose Your Car Enthusiast-Destination
Now you know the best countries to target as a car enthusiast. But how do you decide which one? The specific country that fits you needs as a car enthusiast and your easiest way to residency?
Compare Key Factors
You can easily decide the best option for you by comparing the key factors of the different car lover-friendly countries. Here is a table to help with your comparison:
| Country | Speed Limit (Average) | Fuel Cost | Major Car Evens | Residency Options | Residency requirements | Processing Time |
| Canada | 74 mph (highways) | 1.30 CAD/liter | Canadian International AutoShow | Express Entry, PNP, Start-Up Visa | Skills, job offer, or 200,000 CAD investment | 6-18 months |
| Germany | No limit (Autobahn) | 1.60 EUR/liter | Nürburgring public track days | EU Blue Card, Business Visa | 58,400 EUR job or 100,000 EUR investment | 3-12 months |
| Spain | 75 mph (highways) | 1.50 EUR/liter | Spanish Grand Prix, Parcmotor | Non-Lucrative, Golden Visa | 28,800 EUR income or 500,000 EUR investment | 3-12 months |
| South Korea | 68 mph (highways) | 1,800 KRW/liter | Spanish Grand Prix, Parcmotor | D-8 Investor, H-1 Working Holiday | 100M KRW investment or age 18-30 | 1-3 months |
| New Zealand | 62 mph (highways) | 2.50 NZD/liter | Seoul Auto Salon | Skilled Migrant, Investor Visa | Job offer or 3-10M NZD investment | 9-18 months |
Weigh Your Lifestyle Needs
Your perfect country matches your driving passion and daily life preferences. So consider these aspects for you to find the perfect fit.
Driving Style: Love high-speed thrills? Germany’s Autobahn calls your name. Crave scenic journeys? New Zealand’s alpine roads captivate.
Budget: Living and fuel expenses differ widely. Canada and South Korea keep fuel prices low, Germany and Spain cost more but offer superior roads. Assess housing, taxes, and insurance too.
Language and Culture: Language barriers shape your experience so you should keep this in mind.
Climate and Environment: Weather impacts driving and living. Decide which weather is more conducive for you so you can get the best out of your new country.
Community Fit: Connecting with locals enhances your journey. Check the country with the car club that fits. Some countries have more clubs and communities than others too. So another point to consider..
Practical Steps to Choose and Move
Here are practical steps you can take to make the right decision. It always starts with getting the right information and the Global Residence Index is the best place to start your research. Follow these steps to select and settle in your car-enthusiast haven.
- Research Visa Requirements
- Connect with Car Communities
- Visit Before Committing
- Prepare Documentation
- Budget for Costs
Conclusion
As a car enthusiast looking for a new country, you have to make a decision with this in mind. You want to make sure that the country you choose is affordable, has car friendly policies in place, and has a strong car culture among a host of other factors.
With countries like Canada, Germany and Spain among the best countries for car lovers to seek residency. What’s not to like about them? They are car enthusiast-friendly and also have clear paths to residency for people looking to live there.
The whole decision can prove to be a challenge for many considering the background checks and documents requirements which is why using a trusted guide like Global Residence Index is always the best option.
Your love for the road and your car is just getting started when you choose the right country to live in.
