Best Places to Retire Abroad: A Complete Guide to Living Well for Less

Why More Retirees Are Looking Beyond Their Borders

The math of retirement is shifting. Social Security payments in the United States average roughly $1,900 per month in 2026, and a comfortable retirement in most American cities requires significantly more than that. Meanwhile, countries across Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Southern Europe offer a higher quality of life at a fraction of the cost. Healthcare that rivals or exceeds what is available in the US, warm climates, walkable cities, and vibrant expat communities are drawing hundreds of thousands of retirees abroad each year.

This guide examines 15 of the best countries to retire abroad in 2026, covering the practical details that matter most: monthly living costs, healthcare quality and access, visa and residency pathways, safety, English-speaking communities, and overall quality of life.

Key Factors in Choosing a Retirement Destination

Before diving into specific countries, consider these critical factors:

• Cost of living: Can your retirement income cover a comfortable lifestyle?
• Healthcare: Is quality care accessible and affordable? Does the country offer public healthcare options for residents?
• Visa and residency: How easy is it to obtain legal residency? What are the financial requirements?
• Safety: What is the overall security situation? Are there expat-friendly areas with low crime?
• English proficiency: How easy is daily life without speaking the local language?
• Tax implications: Will you face double taxation? Does the country have a tax treaty with your home country?
• Climate: Does the weather align with your preferences?
• Accessibility: How easy is it to fly back home for visits?

The 15 Best Countries to Retire Abroad

1. Portugal

Portugal has emerged as the premier retirement destination in Europe, and the numbers back up the hype.

• Monthly cost for a couple: $2,200-$3,500 (varies significantly between Lisbon and smaller cities)
• Healthcare: Portugal's Servico Nacional de Saude (SNS) provides universal coverage. As a legal resident, you gain access. Private insurance costs $100-$200/month per person and provides access to excellent private hospitals.
• Residency: The D7 Passive Income Visa requires proof of passive income of at least $800/month (approximately 760 EUR). The application process takes 2-4 months.
• Safety: Portugal consistently ranks among the top 5 safest countries in the world on the Global Peace Index.
• English proficiency: High in Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve. Moderate in rural areas.
• Top retirement areas: Algarve (Lagos, Faro), Lisbon, Porto, Silver Coast (Cascais, Nazare), Madeira

The Algarve coast offers 300 days of sunshine per year, world-class golf courses, and a well-established English-speaking expat community. Lisbon provides urban sophistication with excellent public transportation, while Porto offers charm and a lower cost of living than the capital.

2. Mexico

Mexico's proximity to the United States, low cost of living, and rich culture make it the most popular retirement destination for Americans.

• Monthly cost for a couple: $1,500-$3,000
• Healthcare: IMSS (public insurance) costs approximately $500/year per person for foreigners. Private insurance runs $150-$300/month. Excellent private hospitals in major cities.
• Residency: Temporary Resident Visa requires proof of income of approximately $2,500/month or savings of $42,000. Renewable for up to 4 years before converting to permanent residency.
• Safety: Varies significantly by region. Lake Chapala, San Miguel de Allende, Merida, and Puerto Vallarta have strong safety records.
• English proficiency: Moderate in expat-heavy areas. Limited in rural areas.
• Top retirement areas: Lake Chapala/Ajijic, San Miguel de Allende, Merida, Puerto Vallarta, Oaxaca, Guanajuato

Lake Chapala, near Guadalajara, hosts the largest community of American and Canadian retirees in Mexico. The climate is often described as "eternal spring," with temperatures between 65-80 degrees Fahrenheit year-round.

3. Costa Rica

Costa Rica has been attracting retirees for decades with its "Pura Vida" lifestyle, political stability, and natural beauty.

• Monthly cost for a couple: $2,000-$3,500
• Healthcare: The CAJA (public healthcare system) costs 7-11% of declared income for residents. It provides comprehensive coverage including prescriptions. Private care is also affordable; a specialist visit costs $60-$100.
• Residency: Pensionado Visa requires proof of at least $1,000/month in pension income. Rentista Visa requires $2,500/month from investments or savings.
• Safety: Generally safe, particularly in the Central Valley and popular expat areas. Standard urban precautions apply in San Jose.
• English proficiency: Moderate in tourist and expat areas. Limited elsewhere.
• Top retirement areas: Central Valley (Atenas, Grecia, San Ramon), Arenal area, Guanacaste, Southern Zone (Dominical, Uvita)

Atenas, a small town in the Central Valley, is frequently cited as having "the best climate in the world" by National Geographic. The expat community is well-established, with English-language book clubs, social groups, and volunteer organizations.

4. Thailand

Thailand offers an extraordinary combination of low costs, excellent healthcare, and rich cultural experiences.

• Monthly cost for a couple: $1,200-$2,500
• Healthcare: Thailand is a global leader in medical tourism. Bumrungrad International Hospital in Bangkok is JCI-accredited and offers world-class care at a fraction of US prices. A comprehensive health checkup costs $200-$400. Private insurance runs $200-$400/month for retirees.
• Residency: The Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa for retirees requires a pension or investment of at least $80,000, plus health insurance. The traditional Non-Immigrant O-A visa requires 800,000 THB (approximately $22,000) in a Thai bank account or a monthly income of 65,000 THB (approximately $1,800).
• Safety: Generally very safe. Petty theft is the main concern.
• English proficiency: Moderate in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and tourist areas. Limited in rural areas.
• Top retirement areas: Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, Phuket, Bangkok, Koh Samui, Pai

Chiang Mai is the de facto capital of expat retirement in Southeast Asia. A couple can rent a modern two-bedroom condominium for $400-$600/month, eat at local restaurants for $2-$4 per meal, and enjoy a social scene that includes fitness groups, language exchanges, and cultural activities.

5. Panama

Panama offers a combination of modern infrastructure, the US dollar as its currency, and one of the most generous retiree programs in the world.

• Monthly cost for a couple: $1,800-$3,000
• Healthcare: Panama City has excellent private hospitals, including Hospital Punta Pacifica (affiliated with Johns Hopkins). A doctor's visit costs $30-$50. Private insurance for retirees costs $200-$400/month.
• Residency: The Pensionado Visa requires just $1,000/month in pension income and provides extensive discounts: 25% off airline tickets, 25% off restaurant bills, 15% off hospital bills, 20% off prescription drugs, and more.
• Safety: Panama City is generally safe. Rural areas and smaller towns are very safe.
• English proficiency: Moderate in Panama City. Limited outside the capital.
• Top retirement areas: Panama City, Boquete, Coronado, Pedasi, Bocas del Toro

Boquete, a mountain town at 3,900 feet elevation, offers spring-like weather year-round and has developed a thriving expat community. The town has excellent restaurants, coffee farms, hiking trails, and a Tuesday market that has become the social hub for retirees.

6. Colombia

Colombia's transformation over the past two decades has been remarkable. Cities like Medellin now rank among the most livable in Latin America.

• Monthly cost for a couple: $1,400-$2,500
• Healthcare: Colombia's healthcare system is ranked 22nd in the world by the WHO. EPS (public insurance) costs $50-$100/month and provides comprehensive coverage. Private prepaid medicine plans cost $100-$250/month.
• Residency: The Retirement Visa (Visa M - Jubilado) requires pension income of at least 3x the Colombian minimum wage (approximately $900/month in 2026).
• Safety: Medellin, Bogota, and Cartagena have improved dramatically. Standard urban precautions apply.
• English proficiency: Growing in Medellin and Bogota, especially among younger people. Limited among older residents.
• Top retirement areas: Medellin, Cartagena, Santa Marta, Bogota, Pereira (Coffee Region)

Medellin's "City of Eternal Spring" climate (temperatures between 70-82 degrees Fahrenheit year-round) and modern metro system make it extraordinarily livable. A two-bedroom apartment in the popular El Poblado neighborhood rents for $600-$1,000/month.

7. Malaysia

Malaysia's My Second Home (MM2H) program has long been one of Asia's most attractive residency options for retirees.

• Monthly cost for a couple: $1,300-$2,500
• Healthcare: Malaysia has excellent private hospitals. A specialist visit costs $20-$40. Private insurance runs $100-$250/month for retirees.
• Residency: MM2H requires a fixed deposit of approximately $70,000-$140,000 (varies by category) and proof of monthly offshore income of at least $10,000.
• Safety: Generally safe. Kuala Lumpur and Penang have low violent crime rates.
• English proficiency: High. English is widely spoken as a second language and is used in business, government, and education.
• Top retirement areas: Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh, Langkawi, Malacca

Penang combines colonial architecture, incredible street food, modern healthcare, and a large English-speaking community. Georgetown, its capital, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers a walkable urban environment with character.

8. Ecuador

Ecuador uses the US dollar, which eliminates currency risk and simplifies financial planning for American retirees.

• Monthly cost for a couple: $1,200-$2,200
• Healthcare: Public healthcare through IESS costs $80-$100/month per person and provides comprehensive coverage. Private care is also affordable.
• Residency: Pensioner Visa requires proof of pension income of at least $1,325/month ($1,625 for a couple).
• Safety: Varies by region. Cuenca and the Avenue of the Volcanoes are generally safe. Guayaquil requires more caution.
• English proficiency: Moderate in Cuenca's expat areas. Limited elsewhere.
• Top retirement areas: Cuenca, Cotacachi, Vilcabamba, Loja, Salinas

Cuenca, Ecuador's third-largest city, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with colonial architecture, a vibrant arts scene, and an established community of several thousand expat retirees. A couple can rent a furnished three-bedroom apartment for $500-$800/month.

9. Greece

Greece offers Mediterranean living with surprising affordability outside of the island hotspots.

• Monthly cost for a couple: $2,000-$3,500
• Healthcare: Greece's public healthcare system provides coverage to residents. Private insurance costs $150-$250/month per person.
• Residency: The Greece Digital Nomad Visa or the Financially Independent Person Visa requires proof of income of approximately $2,000/month. The Golden Visa (investment-based) requires a property purchase starting at 250,000 EUR in certain areas.
• Safety: Very safe. Greece consistently ranks well on global safety indices.
• English proficiency: Moderate to high in Athens, islands, and tourist areas.
• Top retirement areas: Crete, Peloponnese, Athens (southern suburbs), Corfu, Rhodes, Kalamata

The Peloponnese, mainland Greece's southern peninsula, offers authentic village life, excellent food, ancient ruins at every turn, and costs significantly lower than the islands. A two-bedroom village house can rent for $400-$700/month.

10. Spain

Spain offers world-class healthcare, excellent infrastructure, and one of the most enjoyable lifestyles in Europe.

• Monthly cost for a couple: $2,500-$4,000
• Healthcare: Spain's public healthcare system (SNS) is ranked 7th in the world by the WHO. Residents gain access through social security contributions or private insurance. Private insurance costs $100-$250/month per person.
• Residency: Non-Lucrative Visa requires proof of income or savings of approximately $2,800/month. Must have private health insurance.
• Safety: Very safe. Spain's crime rate is lower than the US average.
• English proficiency: Moderate in Madrid, Barcelona, and coastal tourist areas. Limited in smaller cities.
• Top retirement areas: Valencia, Malaga, Alicante, Granada, Andalusia, Canary Islands, Mallorca

Valencia has surged in popularity among expat retirees. It offers a major city experience with beaches, the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences, and a cost of living roughly 40% lower than Madrid or Barcelona.

11. Uruguay

Uruguay is South America's most stable, democratic country and offers a quietly sophisticated lifestyle.

• Monthly cost for a couple: $2,000-$3,200
• Healthcare: Uruguay's public and private healthcare systems are both excellent. Private mutualista plans cost $100-$200/month.
• Residency: Residency requirements are straightforward. Proof of income (approximately $1,500/month) and a clean criminal record are the main requirements.
• Safety: The safest country in South America by most measures.
• English proficiency: Limited. Spanish is essential for daily life.
• Top retirement areas: Montevideo, Colonia del Sacramento, Punta del Este, Jose Ignacio

12. Philippines

The Philippines offers extremely low costs and a largely English-speaking population.

• Monthly cost for a couple: $1,000-$2,000
• Healthcare: Quality varies. Private hospitals in Manila and Cebu are good. A doctor's visit costs $10-$20.
• Residency: Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV) requires a deposit of $1,500-$20,000 depending on age and pension status.
• Safety: Varies by region. Cebu, Dumaguete, and Bohol are considered safe.
• English proficiency: High. English is an official language.
• Top retirement areas: Cebu, Dumaguete, Bohol, Subic Bay, Davao

13. Italy

Italy offers unmatched food, culture, and beauty, with surprising affordability in the south and rural areas.

• Monthly cost for a couple: $2,200-$4,000
• Healthcare: Italy's SSN (public health system) ranks 2nd globally by WHO. Residents gain access through registration.
• Residency: Elective Residency Visa requires proof of passive income and private health insurance.
• Safety: Generally safe. Rural southern Italy and smaller cities are very safe.
• English proficiency: Moderate in northern cities. Limited in the south and rural areas.
• Top retirement areas: Puglia, Sicily, Umbria, Le Marche, Abruzzo, Sardinia

Southern Italy offers property prices that are remarkably low for Europe. The famous 1 EUR homes programs in towns like Sambuca, Sicily, attract attention, but even standard purchases in Puglia or Calabria can be found for $50,000-$150,000.

14. Vietnam

Vietnam is one of the most affordable countries in the world with rapidly improving infrastructure.

• Monthly cost for a couple: $1,000-$1,800
• Healthcare: Quality varies. International hospitals in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (FV Hospital, Vinmec) offer good care. A doctor's visit costs $20-$50.
• Residency: Vietnam does not currently offer a dedicated retiree visa. Most retirees use 90-day visa exemptions or 1-year business visas. Legislation for a long-term retirement visa has been under discussion.
• Safety: Very safe. Vietnam has low violent crime rates.
• English proficiency: Growing among younger Vietnamese. Limited among older generations.
• Top retirement areas: Da Nang, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Nha Trang

Da Nang has become the most popular choice for retirees, with modern beachfront apartments renting for $400-$700/month, excellent local cuisine for $1-$3 per meal, and a growing international community.

15. Croatia

Croatia offers Mediterranean beauty, excellent healthcare, and growing expat infrastructure at prices below Western Europe.

• Monthly cost for a couple: $2,000-$3,200
• Healthcare: Croatia's public healthcare system is solid. Private insurance costs $100-$200/month per person.
• Residency: Digital Nomad Visa or temporary stay permits for financially independent persons are available. EU citizens have straightforward residency rights.
• Safety: Very safe. Croatia has low crime rates.
• English proficiency: High, especially along the coast and among younger generations.
• Top retirement areas: Split, Dubrovnik, Istria (Rovinj, Porec), Zadar, islands (Hvar, Brac)

Country Comparison Table

Country	Monthly Cost (Couple)	Healthcare Rank	Visa Ease	Safety	English
Portugal	$2,200-$3,500	Excellent	Easy	Very High	High
Mexico	$1,500-$3,000	Good	Easy	Moderate	Moderate
Costa Rica	$2,000-$3,500	Very Good	Easy	Good	Moderate
Thailand	$1,200-$2,500	Excellent	Moderate	Good	Moderate
Panama	$1,800-$3,000	Good	Very Easy	Good	Moderate
Colombia	$1,400-$2,500	Very Good	Easy	Moderate	Low-Moderate
Malaysia	$1,300-$2,500	Very Good	Moderate	Good	High
Ecuador	$1,200-$2,200	Good	Easy	Moderate	Low
Greece	$2,000-$3,500	Good	Moderate	Very High	Moderate
Spain	$2,500-$4,000	Excellent	Moderate	Very High	Moderate
Uruguay	$2,000-$3,200	Very Good	Easy	Very High	Low
Philippines	$1,000-$2,000	Moderate	Easy	Moderate	High
Italy	$2,200-$4,000	Excellent	Moderate	Good	Low-Moderate
Vietnam	$1,000-$1,800	Moderate	Difficult	Good	Low
Croatia	$2,000-$3,200	Good	Moderate	Very High	High

Essential Steps Before Retiring Abroad

1. Take an Extended Test Trip

Never commit to a country based on a two-week vacation. Rent an apartment for 1-3 months through platforms like Airbnb, Furnished Finder, or local rental agencies. Experience daily life during different seasons. Visit the grocery store, the hospital, and the government offices. Talk to established expats about the realities they did not expect.

2. Understand Your Tax Obligations

US citizens are taxed on worldwide income regardless of where they live. The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) applies to earned income, not pension or Social Security income. Consult with a tax professional who specializes in expatriate taxation. The IRS requires FBAR (FinCEN Form 114) filing if your foreign bank accounts exceed $10,000 at any point during the year.

3. Sort Out Healthcare

Research the public healthcare system in your target country and determine if you qualify as a resident. Obtain international health insurance as a bridge. Companies like Cigna Global, Allianz Care, and IMG Global offer plans designed for expat retirees. Compare deductibles, coverage limits, and whether the plan covers medical evacuation.

4. Manage Your Finances

• Open a Charles Schwab International or Interactive Brokers account for fee-free international ATM withdrawals
• Maintain a US bank account for receiving Social Security and pension payments
• Use Wise (formerly TransferWise) or OFX for currency transfers to minimize exchange rate losses
• Notify your bank and credit card companies of your move to avoid fraud holds

5. Build a Social Network

Loneliness is the number one challenge reported by expat retirees. Before moving, join Facebook groups and forums for expats in your target country. InterNations.org hosts regular meetups in cities worldwide. Many expat communities have English-language churches, volunteer organizations, and social clubs.

Plan Your Retirement Abroad Exploration with TripGenie

Exploring potential retirement destinations requires careful planning, especially when you want to visit multiple cities or countries in a single scouting trip. TripGenie can help you build a multi-destination itinerary that accounts for travel logistics, accommodation in different neighborhoods, and the activities that matter most during an exploratory visit. Whether you are comparing Medellin to Cuenca or the Algarve to Valencia, a well-structured itinerary ensures you make the most of your research time.

Final Thoughts

Retiring abroad is not about escaping your home country. It is about expanding your options and finding the place where your retirement income delivers the lifestyle you have earned. The best destination depends on your priorities: the lowest costs, the best healthcare, the closest proximity to home, or the richest cultural experience.

Start with research, follow with extended visits, and make your decision based on lived experience rather than glossy marketing. The 15 countries in this guide represent the best options available in 2026, but the right choice is deeply personal. Take your time, ask hard questions, and trust your instincts.