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10 best places for Americans to retire abroad in 2025
Cassidy HortonSeptember 27, 2025 at 11:21 PM
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No. 1: Porto, Portugal (Aleh Varanishcha via Getty Images)
Ever daydream about packing up and retiring somewhere new? How about retiring on $2,000 a month with ocean views and zero taxes?
You're not alone: More American retirees are ditching expensive U.S. cities for countries where their dollars stretch further, the weather's better and getting residency is surprisingly easy.
The 2025 Global Retirement Report ranks 44 countries on everything from health care to tax advantages. These 10 destinations are where your retirement dollar goes furthest — and getting residency is easier than you think.
1. Portugal — Score: 92.61
Portugal snags the No. 1 overall spot for retirement destinations this year, and it's easy to see why. Beyond the sunny beaches and postcard-perfect towns, it delivers where it counts, ranking No. 2 for both quality of life and safety and integration — a rare double win.
Health care here is excellent, and the cost of living is still a bargain compared to the U.S. To match a lifestyle costing $10,243 in New York, you'd need just about $4,450 in Lisbon — a 57% savings that unlocks premium retirement living.
It's no wonder Portugal's American population has nearly tripled since 2017, with more than 14,000 Americans now calling the country home.
Fast facts about retiring in Portugal -
Getting in: D7 visa with just €870 (about $1,020) monthly income
Path to citizenship: Possible after 5 years (dual citizenship welcome)
Who can join you: Spouse, kids and dependents
What taxes are like: No wealth or inheritance tax for close family
Port Louis, Mauritius (bluesky85 via Getty Images)2. Mauritius — Score: 89.24
If "retirement paradise" were a postcard, it would probably look like Mauritius. This island nation in the Indian Ocean pairs palm-fringed beaches with solid infrastructure and a refreshingly welcoming retirement visa program. Its 30,000 expats — from South Africa, France, Germany, Switzerland, the U.K. and beyond — create a vibrant melting pot of culture.
For Americans seeking alternatives to traditional European retirement havens, Mauritius is quietly emerging as an intriguing destination that most retirees haven't yet discovered.
Fast facts about retiring in Mauritius -
Getting in: Residence Permit for Retired Non-Citizens with $1,500 monthly income
Path to citizenship: Possible after 6 years (dual citizenship welcome)
Who can join you: Spouse and dependent children
What taxes are like: No tax on foreign income, plus no wealth or inheritance tax
Barcelona, Spain (Eloi_Omella via Getty Images)3. Spain — Score: 88.52
Spain really has it all: sunshine, history, amazing food and some of the best healthcare in Europe. It also boasts one of the longest life expectancies in the E.U., which says a lot about the quality of life here.
American migration to La España has exploded — in 2024 alone, Spain granted a record 15,638 first-time residency permits to Americans, more than double the number from 2015.
Picture yourself sipping Rioja in La Rioja or wandering the beaches of Valencia, and it's easy to see why Spain consistently ranks near the top for retirees.
Fast facts about retiring in Spain -
Getting in: Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) with €2,400 (about $2,810) monthly income
Path to citizenship: Possible after 10 years (or 2 years for select nationalities)
Who can join you: Spouse or partner, kids and dependent parents
What taxes are like: Wealth tax of 0.2% to 3.5% and inheritance tax that varies by region
Montevideo, Uruguay (Donyanedomam via Getty Images)4. Uruguay — Score: 88.05
"La Celeste" flies under the radar, but that's part of its charm. With only a few thousand Americans calling this South American gem home — and that number growing since 2020 — you'd be joining a small but passionate expat community.
It's one of the safest and most tranquilo countries in South America, with a stable democracy and a reputation for friendly, welcoming locals. In coastal towns like Punta del Este, you can get laid-back beach vibes with a touch of sophistication.
Fast facts about retiring in Uruguay -
Getting in: Income-Based Residency with $2,000 monthly income
Path to citizenship: 5 years
Who can join you: Spouse or partner, kids and dependent adult children
What taxes are like: Territorial system — only local income taxed, with no wealth or inheritance tax
Salzburg, Austria (Jorg Greuel via Getty Images)5. Austria — Score: 87.92
If mountain air and alpine views are your thing, Austria is hard to beat. Think storybook villages, clean cities and some of the best health care in the world. It also ranks No. 1 for safety and integration, so you'll feel secure putting down roots here. Add in weekends of skiing, hiking, or just soaking up the scenery, and it's easy to see why it cracked the top 5 best places to retire.
You'll be in good company: Nearly 195,000 people moved to the Land of Music from abroad in 2023, with over 66,000 more choosing to stay overleaving Austrian life behind.
Fast facts about retiring in Austria -
Getting in: Independent Means Residence Permit with €2,200 (about $2,575) monthly income
Path to citizenship: 10 years
Who can join you: Spouse or partner and minor children
What taxes are like: All global income taxed, with no wealth or inheritance tax
Como, Italy (© Marco Bottigelli via Getty Images)6. Italy — Score: 87.42
Imagine waking up to church bells in a medieval hill town, sipping espresso on your balcony or strolling to the local market for fresh pasta and produce. Italy is a retiree's dream if you want rich culture, beautiful landscapes (from vineyards to coastlines), and some of the best food on earth.
While taxes can get a little complicated, Italy makes up for it with a high quality of life and an Elective Residency Visa for retirees with steady income.
The appeal is undeniable: with 5.3 million foreign residents and more than 274,000 new arrivals in 2023 alone, you'll find yourself among a thriving international community that's already discovered la dolce vita.
Fast facts about retiring in Italy -
Getting in: Elective Residency Visa (ERV) with €2,200 (about $2,575) monthly income
Path to citizenship: 10 years
Who can join you: Spouse or partner, kids and dependents
What taxes are like: All global income taxed, and wealth and inheritance tax applies
Ljubljana, Slovenia (kasto80 via Getty Images)7. Slovenia — Score: 87.30
Slovenia doesn't always make the top of retirement lists, but maybe it should. Think Lake Bled (yes, the one with the storybook island church), mountain views and charming cities that feel both old world and modern. It's also refreshingly affordable — the income requirement is under $750 a month — and it ranks in the top three for safety and integration, so newcomers tend to feel at home fast.
The secret's already out: Foreign residents now make up over 10% of Slovenia's population, with nearly 12,000 more international residents choosing this hidden treasure in 2024 alone.
Fast facts about retiring in Slovenia -
Getting in: Passive Income-based Stay with €620 (about $725) monthly income
Path to citizenship: 10 years
Who can join you: Spouse or partner, children and dependent parents
What taxes are like: All global income taxed, no wealth tax and no inheritance tax for close family
Valletta, Malta (joe daniel price via Getty Images)8. Malta — Score: 87.00
Malta may be tiny, but it packs a lot in. Picture Mediterranean sunshine, turquoise water and centuries-old fortresses around every corner. English is widely spoken, which makes settling in easier, and it scores well for both safety and integration. On the money side, Malta uses a remittance system — meaning your foreign income is only taxed if you bring it into the country. There's no wealth or inheritance tax, either.
The combination is proving irresistible — Malta welcomed over 20,000 net new residents in 2023, making remarkable growth for this island nation.
Fast facts about retiring in Malta -
Getting in: Global Residence Programme (GRP) with €2,000 (about $2,340) monthly income
Path to citizenship: 8 years
Who can join you: Spouse or partner, children and dependent parents
What taxes are like: Remittance system — foreign income taxed only when brought in — with no wealth or inheritance tax
Riga, Latvia (Westend61 via Getty Images)9. Latvia — Score: 86.97
If you've ever dreamed of living in a storybook European city, Latvia might surprise you. Its capital, Riga, has colorful Art Nouveau buildings, bustling markets, and cozy cafes that make it feel straight out of a vacation ad. Winters in Latvia are chilly — but if you can handle a coat and good boots, you're golden. Plus, you'll get old-world charm at a fraction of the price of the U.S. and Western Europe.
This Baltic gem is rolling out the welcome mat for international residents — more than 20,000 people have applied for its investment residency program since launch, drawn by one of Europe's most accessible entry requirements.
Fast facts about retiring in Latvia: -
Getting in: Passive Income Visa (TRP) with €1,500 (about $1,755) monthly income
Path to citizenship: 10 years
Who can join you: Spouse or partner, kids and adult children who have disabilities or are full-time students
What taxes are like: All global income taxed, no wealth tax and no inheritance tax for family
Santiago, Chile (IHervas via Getty Images)10. Chile — Score: 86.44
Chile's a bit of a choose-your-own-adventure spot for retirees. The country runs from the driest desert on earth to glaciers at the tip of Patagonia, which means you can pick the climate and scenery that fit you best. Most retirees land in Santiago or coastal towns like Viña del Mar — places with plenty of modern comforts but a distinctly South American vibe.
The cost of living won't break the bank, and if you're craving adventure, you've got endless options.
There's already an established American expat community — more than 18,000 Americans have made Chile home, many initially drawn by work opportunities but staying for the quality of life.
Fast facts about retiring in Chile: -
Getting in: Visa Temporaria Rentista with $1,350 monthly income
Path to citizenship: 5 years
Who can join you: Spouse or partner and dependents under age 24
What taxes are like: Foreign income tax-free for first 3 years and no wealth or inheritance tax
These 10 countries represent the best of what international retirement has to offer: affordability, safety and communities of like-minded expats who've already made the move. Whether you're drawn to Mediterranean charm, Alpine adventures or South American escapes, these destinations prove that your dream retirement abroad isn't just possible — it's happening right now.
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About the writer
Cassidy Horton is a finance writer who specializes in banking, insurance, lending and paying down debt. Her expertise has been featured in NerdWallet, Forbes, MarketWatch, CNN, USA Today, Money, The Balance and Consumer Affairs, among other top financial publications. Cassidy first became interested in personal finance after paying off $18,000 in debt in 10 months of graduation with an MBA. Today, she's committed to empowering people to stand up and take charge of their financial futures.
Article edited by Kelly Suzan Waggoner
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