The richest foreign professionals live in Russia, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, HSBC's Expat Explorer Survey said on Wednesday.

The HSBC Bank Expat Economic survey of 4,100 foreign professionals from 100 countries discovered the 25 best countries for expats according to annual income, monthly disposable income, and possession of luxury goods.

The survey revealed that Russia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Singapore, in that order, are the top five locations for expats. One third of respondents in Russia said they earned over $250,000, while two-thirds of expats in Spain earned only $60,000 a year.

"A fantastic experience with huge financial potential," an expat in Russia said.

Foreigners living in Moscow, St.Petersburg and Ekaterinburg said however they spend much more on food and housing than in their homelands, while public transport allows them to save some money.

Meanwhile, some expats in Russia say the economic downturn and instability has forced them to consider returning home.