The Most Popular Countries for Retirees, According to a New Study
By Jen Barnett, Co-founder, Expatsi
January 8, 2025 · Updated November 12, 2025 · 6 min read
Now more than ever, retirees are moving abroad to spend their golden years on distant shores. For some it’s about the cost of living, so they move to countries where they can spend less on housing and healthcare. For others, it’s about the experience. They want to see the world beyond their borders and live life to the fullest.
According to a new study from Cigna Healthcare, who provides global healthcare policies to immigrants, seniors from the United States and the United Kingdom are most likely to retire abroad. Almost half of their policies for seniors are issued to citizens of those two countries, followed by Switzerland, Canada, and the Netherlands.
Here are the countries they’re moving to.
12. Germany
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Living in Germany provides a wide variety of experiences, from the sophistication of Berlin to the charm of Munich, along with hundreds of small towns that provide a peaceful life. Many Germans speak English, and the grandkids may want to join you there—they can attend college for free.
11. Spain
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Retirees love Spain for its non-lucrative visa program along with its art, culture, and food. Top destinations outside of Barcelona and Madrid include Seville, Malaga, Alicante, and Bilbao. If you’d like something more quaint, there are dozens of beach towns to consider.
10. United Kingdom
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Although there’s lots to love about England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales, it’s challenging to retire to the U.K. in the post-Brexit era. You can swing it if you have strong family ties or millions to invest. If you want to move there but can’t make it work, consider neighboring Ireland. They offer a retirement visa option.
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9. Italy
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Italy has loads to offer immigrating retirees, including nearly endless options of coastal towns with affordable costs of living. Across the country, people can buy homes to renovate for just €1 (about $1.05) and enjoy la dolce vita.
Small towns pay off in Sicily, too, where places under 20,000 people qualify for Italy’s 7% flat tax for foreign pensioners. The elective residency visa lets you settle there on a pension or savings.
8. Monaco
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Monaco’s cost of living is not for the faint of heart: LivingCost calls it the most expensive country on Earth. There’s a payoff for those who can make it work, though. Monaco doesn’t tax investment income, capital gains, or dividends. There’s also no income tax, wealth tax, or property tax.
Getting in is its own project: every American’s move starts with the €80 temporary residence card, which takes a French long-stay visa, a home in Monaco, and a Monaco bank willing to vouch for you. Monte Carlo puts the casino and the harbor within walking distance.
7. Malaysia
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Malaysia offers just the opposite experience. The average person can live there on $600/month, including rent. Your lifestyle choices range from rustic island villages to cosmopolitan Kuala Lumpur. You’ll have easy access to Singapore and Indonesia.
For something slower than the capital, try George Town, a UNESCO-listed port famous for hawker food, or historic Malacca City, about two hours from KL. For a long stay, look at Malaysia My Second Home, starting with its entry-level Silver tier.
6. Switzerland
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Switzerland is a pricy destination, including healthcare. It’s definitely not a place to get caught without health insurance. Seniors love the ability to stay active outdoors and the easy travel to the rest of Europe.
In Basel, Germany and France are minutes away by tram. Wealthy retirees who won’t work in Switzerland can apply for residence through lump-sum taxation, a yearly tax deal with the canton.
4. Singapore
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Singapore is one of the cleanest, safest destinations for retirees. It also has excellent healthcare. Both of these benefits come at a price. Another big selling point for Americans: almost half of Singaporeans speak English.
3. France
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Many retirees find their joie de vivre in France. Whether enjoying the Mediterranean Sea on the Cote d’Azur, hitting the high life in Paris, or experiencing America-loving Normandy, you won’t want for good wine, food, or art.
Nice is a longtime retiree favorite on that coast, though prices climb near the water, and Lyon is the country’s food capital. Retirees settle in on a long-stay visa.
2. United States
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The American dream lives on, even in retirement. Plenty of international immigrants come here as seniors to reunite with family members or take advantage of our wide variety of climates, cultures, and lifestyles.
1. Thailand
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The number one choice for retirees, including those from the U.S., was Thailand. You can get a retirement visa if you have about $1,800/month in pensions or social security, and you’ll live well on that amount. Expats love living in Phuket and Chiang Mai.
Pattaya, two hours from Bangkok, has a large retiree community and big private hospitals. Retirees with bigger pensions can also look at the Long-Term Resident visa, which means no Thai tax on the pension you bring in.
10 Countries Where You Can Retire With $2,000/Month (One Will Make You Say Ooh La La!)
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Are you looking forward to retirement? Do you imagine peaceful days spent socializing with family and friends, pursuing hobbies, and catching up on things you put off during a long career with limited time off?
While we all long for those days, you may look at your bank account and bills and wonder if they’ll ever come. If retiring in the U.S. feels unattainable, there are options for moving abroad that may be within your budget.
Dying with Dignity: Best Countries for Seniors & End-of-Life Care
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One of our Instagram follower asks, “In , the late/end of life system is designed to bankrupt you and your family while providing dismal care. If someone is living on a limited income but would like to live in a country that provides affordable senior care with dignity, where can they go?”
Duke University created a study on end-of-life care and published an article called “Where is the Best Place to Die?” Their results ranked the U.S. 43rd of the 81 countries considered, based on criteria they created with 1200 experts and 181 palliative care experts. These were the 10 best countries for seniors:
➤ Dying with Dignity: Best Countries for Seniors & End-of-Life Care
10 Countries Where You Can Retire With Just $150,000 in Savings
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The median amount that Gen Xers have saved for retirement is $40,000, with as few as seven years left before reaching the retirement age of 65. The good news is that with a little hard work, you can still find a comfortable retirement abroad.
In these countries, you can fully retire with $150,000 in savings, or even less if you collect social security payments.
10 Countries Where You Can Retire With Just $150,000 in Savings