15 Best Cities to Retire Abroad in 2026 (Data-Driven)

How We Ranked These Cities

Our ranking prioritizes what matters most to retirees: healthcare quality and accessibility, cost of living (on a fixed income), safety, visa options for retirees, and lifestyle quality (climate, walkability, cultural activities). We draw on our database of 380 cities across 95 countries and retirement-specific data including pension import rules and tax treaties.

Europe: The Gold Standard for Retiree Living

1. Lisbon, Portugal — $2,200/month

Lisbon earns the top spot for its unbeatable combination of world-class healthcare, a clear path to EU residency, and one of Europe’s mildest climates. Portugal’s D7 passive income visa was designed for retirees—requiring just €760/month in pension or investment income—and leads to permanent residency and citizenship within five years.

The public healthcare system (SNS) covers residents, and private insurance runs €80–€120/month for retirees. English is widely spoken, the expat community is enormous, and daily life moves at a pace that rewards slowing down.

Key strengths: D7 visa pathway, 300+ sunny days, EU citizenship in 5 years, excellent public transport. See full profile

2. Valencia, Spain — $1,800/month

Valencia offers everything retirees love about Barcelona—Mediterranean beaches, incredible food, mild winters—at 30% lower cost. The city is Spain’s third-largest but maintains a relaxed, manageable pace. The Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias anchors a modern cultural scene, and the central market is a daily source of fresh produce at local prices.

Spain’s Non-Lucrative Visa is the standard pathway, requiring proof of sufficient funds (roughly €2,300/month) and comprehensive health insurance. The public healthcare system is excellent once you’re registered.

Key strengths: Beach city, lower costs than Barcelona/Madrid, excellent healthcare, walkable city center. See full profile

6. Porto, Portugal — $1,600/month

For retirees who love Lisbon’s benefits but prefer a quieter, more affordable city, Porto delivers. The same D7 visa applies, the same healthcare covers you, and the same path to citizenship is available—all at roughly $600/month less. Porto’s Ribeira waterfront, port wine cellars, and compact walkable center create a charming retirement backdrop.

Key strengths: All of Portugal’s visa benefits at lower cost, tight-knit expat community, walkable historic center. See full profile

7. Athens, Greece — $1,500/month

Greece’s capital combines ancient history, island-hopping access, and a cost of living that undercuts most of Western Europe. Athens has invested heavily in healthcare infrastructure, and private coverage for retirees runs €50–€100/month. The Financially Independent Person visa requires proof of €2,000/month income and grants residency with renewal options.

Winters are mild (10–15°C), summers are hot, and the food is Mediterranean at its best. Easy ferry access to hundreds of islands makes weekend getaways a retirement staple.

Key strengths: Cultural richness, island access, affordable by European standards, growing expat community. See full profile

11. Budapest, Hungary — $1,400/month

Budapest offers retirees an elegant European lifestyle at Eastern European prices. Thermal baths, classical music, and one of Europe’s most beautiful cityscapes are daily luxuries. Healthcare is affordable and improving, with private hospitals offering Western-standard care at a fraction of UK or US costs.

Hungary’s residency permit for retirees requires proof of income and local health insurance. The city is extremely walkable, with a reliable metro and tram network that makes car ownership unnecessary.

Key strengths: Thermal spa culture, architectural beauty, very affordable, excellent public transport. See full profile

13. Málaga / Seville, Spain — $1,700/month

Andalusia’s coastal cities have been retirement favorites for decades, and the appeal endures. Málaga offers beaches, a growing cultural scene (Picasso Museum, contemporary art center), and one of Spain’s largest expat communities. Seville trades the coast for Spain’s most beautiful architecture and a legendary food scene. Both benefit from Spain’s healthcare system and Non-Lucrative Visa.

Key strengths: Year-round warmth, established expat infrastructure, affordable by Western European standards. See full profile

Southeast Asia: Maximum Value Retirement

3. Chiang Mai, Thailand — $900/month

Chiang Mai is where your retirement savings go furthest. At $900/month, you get a comfortable one-bedroom apartment, daily restaurant meals, comprehensive health insurance, and plenty left over for travel. Thailand’s retirement visa (O-A) is available to anyone over 50 with 800,000 THB (~$23,000) in a Thai bank account or 65,000 THB/month income.

Private healthcare is excellent and affordable. A routine doctor visit costs $15–$25, and comprehensive annual insurance runs $1,000–$3,000 depending on age and coverage. The cool season (November–February) brings perfect weather, though the burning season (February–April) is a drawback.

Key strengths: Lowest retirement costs on this list, excellent private healthcare, established retiree community, beautiful surroundings. See full profile

9. Da Nang, Vietnam — $800/month

Da Nang is Southeast Asia’s rising star for retirement. Beach living at the lowest price point on this list—$800/month covers everything comfortably. The city is modern, clean, and increasingly geared toward long-term foreign residents. Healthcare is improving rapidly, with new international-standard hospitals opening.

Vietnam’s visa situation is the main complexity. There’s no dedicated retirement visa, so most retirees use business visas or investor visas with periodic renewals. Despite the bureaucracy, the value proposition is compelling.

Key strengths: Beach lifestyle, lowest costs on this list, modern infrastructure, friendly local culture. See full profile

5. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia — $1,000/month

Malaysia’s MM2H (My Second Home) program has long been one of the world’s best retirement visa options, and Kuala Lumpur offers the most convenient base. Modern hospitals (Gleneagles, Prince Court) provide world-class care at a fraction of Western prices. A hip replacement that costs $40,000 in the US runs around $8,000 here.

The city is a food paradise with Malay, Chinese, Indian, and international cuisines available at every price point. English is widely spoken, infrastructure is modern, and at $1,000/month you live very comfortably.

Key strengths: MM2H visa program, world-class medical tourism, incredible food diversity, English widely spoken. See full profile

15. Bangkok, Thailand — $1,300/month

Bangkok suits retirees who want urban energy alongside affordability. World-class hospitals like Bumrungrad attract medical tourists globally, and the same retirement visa as Chiang Mai applies. Modern condos with pools and gyms rent for $500–$800/month in comfortable neighborhoods like Ari and Phrom Phong.

Key strengths: Top-tier hospitals, BTS/MRT makes the city navigable, huge variety of activities and dining. See full profile

Latin America: Culture-Rich Retirement

4. Medellín, Colombia — $1,100/month

Medellín’s spring-like climate (22–28°C year-round) is a retiree’s dream. No heating or cooling costs, outdoor living every day, and a welcoming culture that embraces older residents. Colombia’s retirement visa requires just $750/month in pension income—one of the lowest thresholds globally.

Healthcare through Colombia’s EPS system is good and affordable, with private options available for $100–$200/month. The Poblado and Laureles neighborhoods have thriving expat communities with English-speaking services, international restaurants, and social clubs.

Key strengths: Perfect year-round climate, low visa threshold, affordable healthcare, growing retiree community. See full profile

8. Buenos Aires, Argentina — $1,000/month

Buenos Aires offers a European-style retirement in South America at a fraction of the cost. The Recoleta and Palermo neighborhoods feel like Paris, with wide boulevards, cafés, and cultural institutions. Argentina’s Rentista visa requires proof of $1,500/month income and grants renewable residency.

The public healthcare system is free for all residents (including foreigners), and private insurance costs $50–$100/month. The main consideration is Argentina’s economic instability, which creates currency complexity but also exceptional value for those paid in dollars or euros.

Key strengths: European culture at South American prices, free public healthcare, world-class food and arts, passionate tango scene. See full profile

12. San José, Costa Rica — $1,400/month

Costa Rica has been a retirement haven for North Americans for decades. The Pensionado visa requires just $1,000/month in pension income, and the country’s Caja healthcare system covers residents for a monthly fee based on income. San José provides urban conveniences while the Central Valley climate stays between 18–28°C year-round.

English is widely spoken in expat-heavy areas, and direct flights to major US cities make family visits easy. The country’s commitment to sustainability and its “Pura Vida” philosophy create a stress-free retirement atmosphere.

Key strengths: Established retiree infrastructure, Pensionado visa, proximity to the US, excellent healthcare for the region. See full profile

Emerging Retirement Destinations

10. Cape Town, South Africa — $1,300/month

Cape Town offers a retirement lifestyle that’s hard to match: Table Mountain hikes, world-class wine regions within an hour, stunning beaches, and a cost of living that stretches retirement savings significantly. South Africa’s retired person visa requires proof of R37,000/month (~$2,000) income.

Private healthcare is excellent (Mediclinic, Netcare), and the time zone works well for staying connected with European family. The main considerations are safety (stick to well-known areas) and occasional load shedding.

Key strengths: Stunning natural beauty, wine country, English-speaking, favorable exchange rate for dollar/euro earners. See full profile

14. Tbilisi, Georgia — $900/month

Georgia is an unexpected retirement gem. At $900/month, retirees live comfortably in a city with remarkable food, famous wine culture, and one of the world’s most generous visa policies (one-year visa-free stays for most nationalities). Healthcare is affordable, with private coverage running $30–$60/month for retirees.

Tbilisi’s old town, sulfur baths, and café culture provide daily enrichment, while the surrounding countryside offers hiking, skiing, and monastery visits. The retiree community is small but growing.

Key strengths: Ultra-affordable, visa-free one-year stays, exceptional food and wine, safe and welcoming. See full profile

Key Considerations for Retiring Abroad

• Healthcare coverage — Verify whether your home country’s insurance works abroad. Most retirees need local private insurance ($50–$200/month depending on age and location).
• Tax treaties — Check if your home country has a double-taxation agreement with your target destination. Some countries (Portugal, Thailand, Malaysia) offer favorable tax treatment for foreign pension income.
• Pension transfers — Ensure your pension can be received in your destination country. Services like Wise make international transfers affordable.
• Proximity to home — Consider flight costs and travel time for family visits. Latin America works best for North Americans; Europe for UK/EU retirees; Southeast Asia for Australian and Asian retirees.
• Language — While English-friendly cities ease the transition, learning the local language dramatically improves retirement quality of life.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much money do I need to retire abroad?

It varies enormously by destination. Southeast Asian cities allow comfortable retirement on $800–$1,300/month. European cities require $1,400–$2,500/month. Most financial advisors recommend having 25x your annual expenses saved, plus a buffer for healthcare emergencies and currency fluctuation.

Will my Social Security or pension work abroad?

US Social Security can be received in most countries via direct deposit. UK State Pension is payable worldwide but only increases annually in certain countries (check the “frozen pension” list). Check your specific pension provider’s international payment policies before committing to a move.

What about healthcare as I age?

This is the most critical factor. Countries like Portugal, Spain, and Costa Rica offer public healthcare access to legal residents. Thailand and Malaysia have excellent private hospitals at low cost. Always secure comprehensive health insurance before moving, and have a plan for medical evacuation if needed.

Can I try before I commit?

Absolutely. Most retirement destinations allow tourist stays of 30–90 days. Spend at least one month in your top choice, ideally during the less favorable season, to get an honest picture. Rent short-term accommodation and simulate daily life before signing a lease or applying for a visa.

What if I want to come back home?

Maintain ties: keep a bank account in your home country, stay enrolled in any portable healthcare programs, and don’t burn bridges with housing. Many retirees adopt a “snowbird” pattern, spending winters abroad and summers at home, before committing to a full-time move.