Many US retirees are looking to move abroad. Here are the best countries for them

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Drawn by sunshine or a decrease value of residing, a rising variety of Individuals are selecting to dwell their golden years outdoors the US, within the hope that it’s going to higher swimsuit their monetary or life-style wants and desires.

Whereas official numbers aren’t out there, firms and organizations specializing in aiding individuals transfer overseas have seen an enormous post-election uptick in visitors and enquiries over the previous few months — anecdotal proof, some say, suggesting a “momentum, a motion taking form” amongst Individuals, together with many retirees, critically contemplating (or already endeavor) a everlasting transfer overseas.

“I don’t suppose (it’s) going to simply dissipate the way in which it has in each earlier election that I’ve been doing this,” Kathleen Peddicord, founder and writer of Dwell and Make investments Abroad, instructed CNN Journey. “I don’t suppose that is going to fade away. They’re asking fairly critical questions on this nation versus this nation, and ‘What would my residency choices be, and what’s going to my tax burdens be?’ In order that they’re not dreamy questions. They’re very sensible.”

Established in 2008, LIOS publishes common content material associated to transferring overseas, corresponding to questions on taxes and well being care. Within the days following the election, internet visitors was about 250% larger than regular, Peddicord says, and the sustained curiosity has helped gas “the best development in our readership in our historical past.”

Retirees make up about 80% of the LIOS viewers, together with those that are already retired and people planning for it, Peddicord stated, and its annual record of 10 Best Places to Retire is among the many publication’s “most learn and extremely anticipated” stories.

International Living, a month-to-month journal and web site that focuses on residing overseas, has additionally seen a big uptick in enquiries and visitors, which began even earlier than the election, Govt Editor Jennifer Stevens tells CNN Journey. Its data-driven Annual Global Retirement Index relies on components together with housing, visas, value of residing and well being care, in addition to enter from greater than 200 on-the-ground editors and correspondents.

On the publication’s most up-to-date annual convention, which was held in Las Vegas in October 2024, Stevens stated she spoke to many readers, together with retirees, about their rising concern over “Trump insurance policies making residing kind of uncomfortable within the US,” in addition to the “social state of affairs within the States” and the “financial implications of tariffs” underneath the brand new administration.

On the identical time, Stevens stated she additionally seen a way of pleasure in others over the prospect of potential tax breaks and extra expendable earnings — which might stretch even additional outdoors of the US. “They’re on the lookout for methods they’ll diversify internationally or spend a few of that cash overseas,” she says.

Cash — or lack of it — continues to be a urgent subject for a lot of retirees within the US. Skyrocketing prices for housing, lease and healthcare are siphoning away financial savings extra rapidly than in earlier generations — actually, almost half of US families haven’t any retirement account financial savings.

In the meantime, greater than 17 million Americans aged 65 or older — roughly one in three — are thought-about economically insecure (that means they’ve earnings ranges at 200% or extra beneath the federal poverty degree).

Transferring to a rustic with a a lot decrease value of residing provides a possibility to “invert your finances, so you could possibly take what you’re at the moment spending on, say, transportation, and transfer to a spot the place you don’t want a automotive, as an illustration, and use that finances for discretionary spending,” Sophia Titley, LIOS editor-in-chief, tells CNN Journey.

Along with their funds, which frequently are based mostly on fastened budgets, retirees face a selected set of standards to contemplate earlier than making the leap overseas. To begin with, there’s the difficulty of whether or not they’re legally allowed — or have the means — to retire of their vacation spot of selection. (For instance, some international locations could supply engaging employment choices for digital nomads — however not a lot for many who are not working.)

“It’s good to take a look at locations the place you may moderately get a residency visa,” Titley says. “I’d say that’s the very best place to begin. Take a look at what you’ve got, what you may afford, the totally different thresholds to qualify, and take a look at locations that truly supply residency permits for on a regular basis individuals.”

One other key consideration: figuring out your eligibility and prices for well being care and medical health insurance in a brand new vacation spot. Specialists suggest researching choices completely beforehand, as some international locations, together with Spain and France, require medical health insurance as a requirement for granting a visa.

Nevertheless, Peddicord notes that “the excellent news … is that wherever you go, the well being care goes to be extra reasonably priced, as a result of it’s costlier in the US than wherever — not solely well being care, but in addition medical health insurance.”

Lastly, retirees who obtain Medicare — the federal insurance coverage program out there to Individuals aged 65 and older (and a few youthful people with disabilities) — ought to be sure that to do their homework about what transferring overseas means for his or her eligibility.

Apart from a number of conditions, Medicare won’t cowl well being care prices outside of the US; nonetheless, consultants suggest protecting protection if attainable, which may supply a security internet and sense of reassurance within the occasion of a critical sickness or harm.

“It simply retains your choices open,” Peddicord explains. “You’ll be able to select to return to the States, the place you could have household and extra of a community of help for going by an expertise like that, whereas, should you’ve given up your Medicare, it’s not an easy factor at all times to re-engage in this system.”

Whereas visas, taxes and healthcare are among the many most necessary issues for a transfer overseas, retirees additionally ought to think about locations — and the smaller areas inside these — that align with their most popular life-style.

Listed below are 5 international locations which might be well-suited for retirees in 2025. (This record primarily targets retirees from the US, however it additionally comprises useful basic info.)

Panama

This Central American nation topped Worldwide Dwelling’s Annual Global Retirement Index because the world’s finest retirement vacation spot for 2025, fueled by its simple visa course of, wonderful high quality of life and good worth for cash.

Panama boasts “what’s arguably the very best retiree visa on the earth,” Stevens explains. “They discovered, earlier than nearly anyone else, that should you made it simple for international retirees to come back, they might fortunately come and spend their cash in Panama. So Panama makes it very simple to get a visa and to resume that visa, and it provides you nice advantages as a retiree.”

These advantages embrace reductions on airfare, the theater and extra. Panama’s trendy well being care system additionally earns excessive marks — and along with decrease prices for medical companies, authorized residents who’re pensioner age (60 years for males, 55 for girls) obtain 20% off prescription medicines.

Key issues: Panama has a reasonably low threshold for its passive earnings requirement: a minimal month-to-month earnings of US $1,000 from a authorities program, corresponding to Social Safety, or a non-public company. That minimal goes up by $250 per thirty days per dependent.

English proficiency levels are pretty low throughout the nation, so it’s extraordinarily useful to have at the very least some grasp of Spanish.

Tips on how to make the transfer: The Embassy of Panama’s web site clearly states in English on its website what’s wanted to use for a retiree visa, also referred to as the Pensionado Visa. Be aware that your software should be processed by a Panamanian legal professional, and also you’ll want to use in Panama.

France

France is legendary for its fantastic eating, world-class museums and delightful seashores and countryside. However francophiles who dream of spending their retirement years on this beloved European nation may reap the benefits of a extra sensible profit: its top-notch well being care system. Companies are supplied to all residents and largely backed by the federal government.

As well as, France’s affordability additionally comes as a shock to some. Based on Chase Buchanan’s latest data, lease for a household condominium in France may be as little as about $1,100 in cities aside from Paris, and groceries, public transportation and different bills are additionally considerably decrease than within the US.

“Exterior Paris, there are elements of France which might be very, very reasonably priced, competitively reasonably priced,” says Peddicord. Together with her household, she splits time between Paris and Panama Metropolis and says many individuals are stunned to be taught that Paris is the cheaper of the 2.

She advises anybody with a dream of residing their golden years within the Metropolis of Gentle to not instantly write it off as unaffordable. “Should you’re targeted on Paris, for instance, even that you simply shouldn’t take off your record with out actually doing a little analysis.”

Key issues: One of many greatest benefits for France-bound American retirees is the flexibility to proceed contributing to tax-advantaged US retirement accounts like 401(ok)s and IRAs. Due to the US-France tax treaty, these accounts will proceed to be taxed at US rates for Individuals residing in France, as an alternative of probably larger French income tax rates.

Nevertheless, one caveat about inheritance tax: In contrast to the US, in France the tax applies per beneficiary as an alternative of the overall property worth. As well as, pressured heirship guidelines require set quantities for authorized heirs — one thing retirees with sizable estates ought to take into accounts.

France’s paperwork may be intimidating, particularly for many who don’t communicate French. English isn’t as broadly spoken as in another European international locations, particularly outdoors of main cities.

Tips on how to make the transfer: Able to say oui to retiring in France? US residents can apply for

the Long-Stay Visa for Retirement (Visa de Lengthy Séjour pour Retraité). This feature would require proof of adequate monetary assets, in addition to medical health insurance. You’ll apply for this visa on the nearest French consulate within the US, after which you receive what’s generally known as the carte de séjour visiteur (a residence visa). Your pension should be at the very least $1,073 as a single or $1,666 as a pair. The visa is barely legitimate for one yr, however it may be renewed.

Malaysia

Malaysia, which ranked seventh on Worldwide Dwelling’s 2025 World Retirement Index, provides “actually extraordinary” bang in your buck, Stevens says. It’s effectively fitted to these trying to stretch their budgets, in addition to retirees craving a snug life-style for “a lot lower than it might value you within the States,” she explains. “And if you wish to dwell merely, you are able to do it for subsequent to nothing.”

Based on information from Worldwide Dwelling, lease for a one-bedroom condominium in Kuala Lumpur normally runs between $300 and $500, with month-to-month utilities costing round $40-60. Exterior the capital, second-tier cities corresponding to Penang and Malacca additionally supply very good worth and barely decrease lease prices, together with a slower tempo of life and strong expat communities.

Malaysia’s well being care system additionally ranks extremely, with trendy services, English-speaking workers and reasonably priced and wonderful high quality of care. One other bonus for retirees: Cash you convey into the nation is tax-exempt.

As well as, the southeast Asian nation is a veritable melting pot of cultures and cuisines, and English is broadly spoken (official signage is also written in English). “In some methods, it’s simpler to navigate that a part of the world than it’s, say, Mexico, should you don’t communicate Spanish,” Stevens says.

Key issues: Malaysia has a moist, tropical local weather year-round, which is probably not the very best match for many who favor a change of season. As well as, for retirees who envision frequent journeys again to the US, touring from Malaysia is a beast, with flights alone at greater than 20 hours.

Tips on how to make the transfer: Malaysia gives a number of visa choices which might be particularly aimed towards retirees. The most well-liked is the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) program, which provides a renewable multiple-entry visa. To qualify, you should be over 50 years outdated, in addition to meet some monetary necessities: deposit roughly $35,883 right into a financial institution in Malaysia; (world establishments together with Citibank and HSBC additionally qualify), or show you’ve got a month-to-month earnings of roughly $2,350 from a authorities pension.

Spain

With wonderful climate, high-quality well being care, a comparatively low value of residing and world-famous gastronomy, this European nation has been a perennially fashionable spot among the many retiree set for many years. In InterNations’ 2024 Expat City Ranking, Spanish cities captured the highest three spots (Valencia, Malaga and Alicante) out of 53 cities; Madrid, in the meantime, ranked seventh and Barcelona, twenty first.

As well as, Spain boasts all kinds of choices for various life, from the cosmopolitan hub of Madrid to small villages up and down the nation’s Mediterranean shoreline, in addition to the northern Basque area alongside Spain’s Atlantic coast.

What to contemplate: Spain’s tax system may be sophisticated, and it differs from one autonomous area to a different. The overall rule of thumb is that should you spend greater than 183 days per calendar yr in Spain, you’re thought-about a tax resident.

English proficiency is among the many lowest in Europe, particularly outdoors main cities like Madrid and Barcelona. Castilian Spanish is spoken by the vast majority of Spaniards, however some autonomous areas have their very own official language (Catalan in Catalonia, for instance, and Basque, or Euskara, within the Basque Nation).

Lastly, don’t count on any early-bird dinner specials: Spaniards not often eat their night meal earlier than 8:30 p.m.

Tips on how to make the transfer: Spain’s non-lucrative visa (or NLV, also referred to as a retirement visa), is a well-liked route for Individuals. It’s aimed primarily at these with adequate passive earnings or monetary means to not be a burden on Spain’s welfare system (at the moment, the minimal is about $2,600 per thirty days for a single applicant; further members of the family require extra funds per member).

You’ll apply through your nearest consulate (be aware: this hyperlinks to the Los Angeles consulate however outlines the method step-by-step). You’ll additionally want to indicate proof of insurance coverage in Spain, which generally is a tough step to navigate (journey insurance coverage is just not accepted, by the way in which). Be ready for loads of paperwork and for appointments to be booked far prematurely, so plan accordingly.

Mexico

The US’s southern neighbor constantly ranks excessive as a prime retiree vacation spot (it was fourth in Worldwide Dwelling’s World Retirement Index for 2025). Its proximity to the US, affordability, and slower tempo of life are robust attracts. Mexico additionally provides a wonderful possibility for retirees who need to dwell overseas solely part-time.

In the meantime, thriving English-speaking expat communities in most cities, in addition to most of the identical service suppliers fashionable within the US, together with Netflix and Amazon, assist ease the transition for newcomers.

Mexico additionally provides a number of tax benefits which might be particularly useful to retirees. It doesn’t have inheritance or wealth tax, and in contrast to many different international locations, tax residency is set not by the overall variety of days spent within the nation, however whether or not your major dwelling or heart of enterprise is established there.

Key issues: Mexico ranks amongst the least peaceful international locations in Latin America. Based on authorities statistics, there have been 31,062 homicides in 2023, about 24 per 100,000 residents (within the US, that determine was about six per 100,000 individuals in 2023, in keeping with Federal Bureau of Investigation information).

Cartel-related violence and drug trafficking in Mexico could seize the vast majority of media consideration, however pettier crimes corresponding to theft and pickpocketing are probably the most reported issues.

As well as, as is the case in another international locations together with Portugal, an inflow of foreigners and growing gentrification in sure cities has sparked growing tensions in some areas with giant expat populations.

Tips on how to make the transfer: Legitimate passport holders from international locations that don’t require a visa (together with the US) can stay in Mexico for as much as 180 days. (They nonetheless should full a customer’s allow, or Forma Migratoria Multiple (FMM), at their port of entry. Take into account that the precise variety of days allowed stays on the discretion of the immigration official processing entry.)

For longer stays, retirees can look into visas as temporary and permanent residents. Each are pretty simple, however candidates should be capable to exhibit monetary stability.

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