International 
Kenya 
Japan 
Macau 
Sweden 
Malaysia The Department of Work and Pensions reports that over 1 million British pensioners live overseas – and it’s no wonder.
Popular destinations, such as Spain or Portugal, offer a lower cost of living, slower pace of life, and better weather (not that that’s hard when competing with the UK!).
But where is the best place to retire overseas in 2026?
In this blog, we outline the recent top picks, potential motivators for making the move, and provide tips for living in these locations.
TL;DR – Top destinations and tips for retiring overseas
- Greece takes top spot on the podium for the first time due to a Mediterranean lifestyle at a lower cost
- Portugal and Spain remain top choices due to their affordability and relaxed way of life.
- Your “top” destination will all depend on what you’re looking for in a destination (cost of living, weather, etc).
- Tips for retiring overseas include learning languages, researching visa types, and reviewing healthcare.
How to Choose a Destination Abroad to Retire
Choosing where to retire abroad depends on several personal and practical factors, but key considerations include:
- Cost of living: Housing, groceries, utilities, and lifestyle
- Healthcare access: Public vs private systems and insurance requirements
- Visa options: Retirement visas, residency pathways, and tax implications
- Language and culture: Ease of integration and expat communities
- Climate and lifestyle: Urban vs coastal vs rural living
1. Greece
Greece has moved from “one-to-watch” to a top retirement destination, which might surprise some with its popularity come holiday season. With over 300 days of sunshine a year, Greece offers a Mediterranean lifestyle at a lower cost than many Western European countries, as well as plenty of natural beauty, historic cities, and increasing expat interest.
Living in Greece:
- Monthly costs: a single expat might expect total monthly living costs (including rent) to fall between €1,200 and €2,000, with families requiring more depending on housing size, schooling, and lifestyle choices.
- Healthcare: Greece has both a universal public system and a strong private sector, however private is encouraged to avoid lengthy waiting times.
- Retiree incentives: Citizens over the age of 65 receive discounts for things such as public transport, museum entrance fees, and more!
Tips for retirees:
- Consider the Financially Independent Person Visa – this requires proof of €3,500 (around £3000) in monthly income.
- Explore mainland options for better infrastructure
- Learn basic Greek for daily life
#2. Portugal
Another popular destination for retirees for reasons already discussed – great weather, great healthcare, and a great cost of living. Yet, Portugal perhaps narrowly overtakes its neighbour due to easier visa requirements, a higher English proficiency, and consistently ranking as one of the safest countries in the world to live.
Living in Portugal:
- Monthly costs: Portugal is considered one of the most affordable destinations in Western Europe; a single expat can expect total monthly living costs (including rent) to range from €1,500 to €2,500,
- Healthcare: Portugal boasts a high-quality, publicly funded universal healthcare system known as the Serviço Nacional de Saúde (SNS). It provides essential medical services at a very low cost or completely free for citizens and legal residents.
- Retiree incentives: Despite Portugal ending its NHR scheme in 2024, Portugal still offers many incentives for retirees. For example, those over age 65 often receive substantial discounts on public transport.
Tips for retirees:
- Explore the D7 Visa (Passive Income Visa), as this is ideal for retirees or those with stable passive income (such as pensions, real estate rentals, or dividends) that meets the Portuguese minimum wage requirement.
- If invited to someone’s home in Portugal, it’s considered rude to enter empty-handed. It’s custom to bring a small gift, such as flowers or wine.
- Be aware of the top tourism destinations – places like the Algarve can become crowded during the summer months.
#3. Spain
We all know Spain boasts great weather and a low cost of living, so it’s probably not a surprise this follows Portugal in our top picks. With a large expat community and high quality of life, a transition to Spain is often smooth and comfortable.
Offering plenty of stunning beaches, a vibrant culture and delicious cuisine, it’s no wonder why many have chosen to settle down here!
Living in Spain:
- Monthly costs: Spain is a popular destination for those looking for a lower cost of living; For a single person, the estimated monthly expenses for a one-bedroom apartment, utilities, groceries, and miscellaneous expenses are around €1,7315. For a family of four, the estimated monthly costs are €3,356.
- Healthcare: Spanish healthcare currently sits #7 in the World Health Care Index, and expats in Spain have access to high-quality medical services through the country’s universal healthcare system, known as the Sistema Nacional de Salud (SNS).
- Retiree incentives: Citizens over the age of 65 receive discounts for things such as public transport, museum entrance fees, and more!
Tips for retirees:
- The Non-lucrative visa (also known as the visado de residencia) is a residence permit for all non-EU nationals that are financially independent. It allows them to reside in Spain without engaging in any work or professional activity. Applicants must prove that they have sufficient financial means to reside in Spain for a year or as a regular source of passive income.
- Familiarise yourself with the Spanish “siesta” culture – it’s incredibly common for Spaniards to take a 2-3 hour break during the hottest parts of the day, meaning many businesses shut for this period!
#4. Australia
A life down under has appealed to many Brits for a long time now – the UK is actually one of the biggest source of immigrants to both Australia and New Zealand!
With a warmer climate, high-quality of life, and an outdoor-focused lifestyle, Australia ranks highly for those looking to retire in a location that doesn’t feel too distant to the UK. Sharing a language and similar cultural habits, Australia is perfect for those looking for familiarity while escaping the UK’s high rainfall and colder climate.
Living in Australia:
- Monthly costs: Cost of living in Australia is slightly higher in comparison to the European destinations mentioned previously, but it will entirely depend where you go. According to Numbeo, a family of four can expect to spend around $3,969 per month without rent, while a single person’s estimated monthly costs are about $1,127 without rent.
- Healthcare: Australia has an excellent healthcare system with Medicare providing medical appointments, medications, and hospital care at low or no cost for Australian citizens and permanent residents.
- Retiree incentives: Moving UK pensions to a Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme (QROPS) in Australia can prevent significant taxation, reduce exchange rate risks, and simplify administration.
Tips for retirees:
- Australia does not have a dedicated “retirement visa”, and retirees usually use Parent Visas, Investor Visas, or Partner Visas.
- Areas with existing expat communities include the Sunshine Coast, Gold Cost, and Melbourne.
- Benefits for senior citizens (67+) include discounted transport, reduced costs for utilities and rates, and access to the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card for self-funded retirees
📖 We’ve also recently produced this article on moving to Australia in 2026 – be sure to read!
#5. Malaysia
Perhaps a surprise when considering retirement, but Malaysia has emerged as one of Southeast Asia’s most attractive destinations.
Boasting a significantly lower cost of living, high-quality private healthcare, and a warm, tropical climate, Malaysia enables a luxurious lifestyle at a fraction of the cost it would be in the UK. Plus, with high English proficiency and welcoming culture for retirees, integration into Malaysian life can be smooth.
Living in Malaysia:
- Monthly costs: Malaysia’s cost of living is one of the most favourable features for expats (roughly 50-70% cheaper than the UK!). For single individuals considering a move to Malaysia, a monthly budget of $1,500 USD (approximately RM6,700) provides a comfortable lifestyle.
- Healthcare: Being one of the most affordable and efficient in Southeast Asia, Malaysia’s healthcare system combines public and private sectors, offering expatriates access to quality medical care at reasonable costs.
- Retiree incentives: Malaysia operates a territorial tax system, which generally does not tax foreign-sourced income, such as UK pensions, dividends, or rental income.
Tips for retirees:
- Malaysia offers the My Second Home Programme (MM2H), which provides a renewable 5, 15, or 20-year multiple-entry visa. There are three tiers to this system, and after one year, up to 50% of the fixed deposit can be withdrawn for approved expenses. This enables fluidity in movement, meaning that travel to and from the UK is easy.
- Citizens over 60 get discounts on public transport, special rates on entry frees to public facilities, as well as priority lanes at Priority lanes at government offices, hospitals, and banking counters.
Summary
Retiring overseas offers many benefits, with common themes for top destinations being good weather, better quality of life, and strong healthcare systems. Deciding a destination will all depend on priorities, as each location offers various incentives and benefits.
At Crown Relocations, we have over 60 years of experience in relocating individuals, couples, and families overseas. With door-to-door services, we’re here to support any retirement dreams to bring you peace of mind.
Ready to get started? Get in touch with a member of the team today!
FAQs – Retiring Overseas
A: Top retirement destinations will depend on what you are looking for in your destination – Spain and Portugal have been popular destinations for several years due to their low cost of living, whereas destinations like Australia provide the element of familiarity.
A: There are many benefits to retiring overseas – better weather, lower cost of living, and higher quality of life are the most common motivators.
A: Crown Relocations offers several services to support those wishing to retire overseas, such as Home Search, Preview and Orientation Trips, Packing, Transit methods and storage, as well as Settling In services once you’re at your destination.
A: This will entirely depend on the destination you wish to retire to. Some countries offer specific retirement visas, and some don’t. We strongly encourage speaking with one of our relocation experts as they will be able to provide you necessary guidance.