The Most Popular Countries for Retirees, According to a New Study
The Most Popular Countries for Retirees, According to a New Study
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
5. Portugal
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Portugal is popular for the D7 visa that lets you move there if you have just €760/month in passive income (about $800). Golfers and beachgoers settle in the Algarve to the south, while city dwellers choose areas around Lisbon and Porto.
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.
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.
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.
➤ 10 Countries Where You Can Retire With $2,000/Month
Best Countries for Seniors & End-of-Life Care
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One of our Instagram follower asks, “In [the U.S.], 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:
➤ 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
Jen is the co-founder of Expatsi, a company that helps Americans move abroad. She created the Expatsi Test, an assessment that recommends countries for aspiring emigrants based on lifestyle data. Jen has an MBA from Emory University with concentrations in marketing and innovation. She's written for BusinessWeek, Health, Cooking Light, and Southern Living. Prior to Expatsi, she created Freshfully and Bottle & Bone—two businesses in the local food space—and spoke at TEDx on being brave. She's moving to Mexico in 2024, along with her husband and co-founder Brett, pitbull mix Squiggy, and three rotten cats. How can she help you move abroad?
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Jen is the co-founder of Expatsi, a company that helps Americans move abroad. She created the Expatsi Test, an assessment that recommends countries for aspiring emigrants based on lifestyle data. Jen has an MBA from Emory University with concentrations in marketing and innovation. She's written for BusinessWeek, Health, Cooking Light, and Southern Living. Prior to Expatsi, she created Freshfully and Bottle & Bone—two businesses in the local food space—and spoke at TEDx on being brave. She's moving to Mexico in 2024, along with her husband and co-founder Brett, pitbull mix Squiggy, and three rotten cats. How can she help you move abroad?