Retire abroad, with every number sourced
Where you can retire abroad, what the visa asks for, what a pension is taxed and what life costs, for 28 countries. Each figure names its official source and the date we checked it.
Alfama and the Tagus from Miradouro de Santa Luzia, Lisbon
Most read countries
Philippines
- SRRV Classicfrom $800/mo
- Prices about 36% of the US
- Foreign pension tax0%
- Advisory level 2 of 4
Thailand
- Retirement Ofrom THB 65,000/mo (about $1,930)
- Prices about 32% of the US
- Foreign pension taxTaxed if remitted
- Advisory level 1 of 4
Panama
- Pensionadofrom $1,000/mo
- Prices about 50% of the US
- Foreign pension tax0%
- Advisory level 2 of 4
Italy
- Elective Residencefrom €31,000/yr (about $34,650)
- Prices about 73% of the US
- Foreign pension tax7% to 43%
- Advisory level 2 of 4
Belize
- QRPfrom $2,000/mo
- Prices about 54% of the US
- Foreign pension tax0%
- Advisory level 2 of 4
Mexico
- Temporary Residentfrom MXN 79,771/mo (about $4,410)
- Prices about 59% of the US
- Foreign pension taxUp to 35%
- Advisory level 2 of 4
Portugal
- D7 visafrom €920/mo (about $1,030)
- Prices about 65% of the US
- Foreign pension tax12.5% to 48%
- Advisory level 1 of 4
Malaysia
- MM2H Silver$150,000 savings
- Prices about 33% of the US
- Foreign pension tax0%
- Advisory level 1 of 4
Plan by topic
Visas
Retirement visas
The main route in each country and what it asks for.
Compare
Country against country
112 head-to-head comparisons.
Tools
Calculators and checkers
Visa eligibility, tax burden, FIRE numbers and frozen pensions.
Money
Money and banking
Money and banking from abroad: keeping a US bank and brokerage account, opening a local one, and moving money without losing it to fees.
Taxes
Taxes
Taxes when you retire abroad: what you still file at home, how treaties and state residency change the bill, and the withdrawals that keep it low.
Pensions
Social Security and Medicare
Getting Social Security paid in another country, what happens to Medicare when you leave, and the rules that cut or protect benefits.
Insurance
Health insurance
Health insurance for a life abroad: international and local cover, pre-existing conditions, and what each country asks for with its visa.
Budgets
Early retirement
Early retirement abroad comes down to how far a budget goes in each country, and the withdrawal rules that make a portfolio last.
Most read guides
- Charles Schwab International AccountUpdated Aug 13, 2026
- Medicare While Living AbroadUpdated Aug 13, 2026
- Social Security Direct Deposit to a Foreign BankUpdated Aug 13, 2026
- How to Keep Your US Bank Account While Living AbroadUpdated Aug 13, 2026
- Cigna Global Expat Insurance Review 2026Updated Aug 13, 2026
- Vanguard Account for American ExpatsUpdated Aug 13, 2026
- Fidelity International Account for American ExpatsUpdated Aug 13, 2026
- Is the Philippines Safe for American Retirees in 2026? An Honest AssessmentUpdated Aug 13, 2026
- Capital One Account While Living AbroadUpdated Aug 13, 2026
- Chase Banking for Americans Living Overseas (2026)Updated Aug 13, 2026
How the facts are checked
Country pages take their numbers from the law, the immigration and tax authorities, statistics offices, hospitals' own sites, the World Bank and the State Department. Each figure shows where it comes from and when we last checked it; a figure we cannot source is left out.
Editorial policyAmounts in your currency
Pick a currency at the top of any page and every dollar amount shows its equivalent beside it, at the European Central Bank's reference rates. The law's own amount always stays visible.
About this site