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Retirement Property Abroad

Looking for a home abroad to enjoy your retirement? Explore homes suited to retirement, from easy-care apartments to houses with space for family to stay.

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  • FEATURED LISTING
ZAR 11.00M

Prime Residential Development Opportunity | 6,077m² Premium Sea-View Land

HouseSouth AfricaMarine, Ocean View, Durban, KwaZulu Natal, 4052
Tenure
Freehold

A 6,077 m² site in three portions on the edge of the Bluff at Ocean View, Durban, with sea views. It includes a double-storey three-bedroom house, two separate outbuildings and a pool. It is marketed for multi-unit development. Asking price R11 million…

Rated as suiting retirement by INTRIC

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Visit Chas Everitt's portal (opens in a new tab)Danese Le Roux

The essentials

Retirement property abroad: Everything to know

Living abroad in retirement usually needs a visa built for it. These six facts cover the main markets on this page.

  • 5 yearsUAE retirement visa

    The UAE's retirement visa is for residents aged 55 and over, and it can be renewed. In Dubai, you can qualify with a home worth at least AED 1 million, or a fixed income of at least AED 240,000 a year.

    Why it matters: Official pages describe the age, savings, and income conditions differently from one emirate to another. The UAE's identity authority (ICP) or, in Dubai, the residency office (GDRFA) can confirm what applies to you.

  • €2,400Spain monthly income

    Spain's non-lucrative residence visa lets you live in Spain without working. You need an income of at least €2,400 a month, or €28,800 a year, plus €600 a month for each family member, and full health insurance with no co-payments.

    Why it matters: This visa does not allow any work, including remote work. A Spanish consulate can confirm the current amounts.

  • €920Portugal monthly income

    Portugal's D7 visa is for pensioners and people living on their own income. You need an income of at least Portugal's minimum wage, €920 a month in 2026, plus 50% for a second adult and 30% for each child.

    Why it matters: The visa lasts four months, during which you apply for a residence permit with AIMA. A Portuguese consulate can confirm the current checklist.

  • 50+Thailand long-stay visa

    Thailand's long-stay visa (Non-Immigrant O-A) is for people aged 50 and over. You show THB 800,000 in the bank, an income of THB 65,000 a month, or a mix of the two, plus health insurance of at least THB 3 million. Each stay lasts up to a year.

    Why it matters: Some Thai embassies only accept applications from people living in their country. A Thai embassy can confirm where you can apply.

  • R37,000South Africa monthly income

    South Africa's retired person visa asks for a pension or retirement income of at least R37,000 a month, or assets that produce it, plus cover from a South African medical scheme. It lasts up to four years and can be renewed.

    Why it matters: South Africa is reviewing its immigration rules, so the amount could change. A South African embassy can confirm the current requirements.

  • 60+Croatia home owners

    Croatia has no dedicated retirement visa. Since March 2025, a retired non-EU citizen over 60 who owns a home in Croatia can keep extending a temporary stay of up to a year at a time.

    Why it matters: Buyers from outside the EU usually need consent from Croatia's Ministry of Justice first. Croatia's Ministry of the Interior can confirm the rules on staying.

Sources: the UAE government portal, Dubai's residency office, Dubai Land Department, the Consulate General of Spain in Washington, Portugal's visa portal, the Royal Thai Embassy in Washington, the South African High Commission in Canberra, and Croatia's Official Gazette.

Compare your options

Retirement property abroad: Compare markets

Here are the six largest markets for retirement property abroad on this page, with their homes and where starting prices begin.

UAE1,406 homesStarting prices begin at AED 357,983.
See the UAE pageSee homes
Spain836 homesStarting prices begin at EUR 131,250.
See the Spain pageSee homes
Croatia94 homesStarting prices begin at EUR 306,700.
See the Croatia pageSee homes
South Africa85 homesStarting prices begin at ZAR 10,490,000.
See the South Africa pageSee homes
Albania40 homesStarting prices begin at EUR 68,400.
See the Albania pageSee homes
Portugal40 homesStarting prices begin at EUR 275,000.
See the Portugal pageSee homes

Retirement ratings are INTRIC's own. Prices come from each listing and can change. This table is general information rather than financial or legal advice.

For the full list of countries with retirement property abroad on INTRIC, see our FAQs.

Keep reading

Want to learn more about retiring abroad?

These INTRIC guides and articles explore two places on Europe's southern coast, and how the world's favourite retirement destinations compare in 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Retirement property abroad: Your questions answered

Clear answers to help you plan your purchase.

What counts as retirement property abroad on this page?

All the retirement property abroad on this page carries INTRIC's rating as suiting retirement. Homes range from easy-care apartments to houses with a garden, and features differ, so ask the seller about lifts, step-free access, and how far the nearest hospital is. You will soon see which homes fit the life you have planned.

Why should I consider retirement property abroad?

Retirement is a chance to live where you have always wanted to. Mornings by the sea, long lunches with friends, and time to explore a new town at your own pace. A few years on, the home you chose for the view is the place your family loves to visit.

To find the right place, look at four things: good healthcare nearby, a visa that lets you stay, what living costs will be, and how easily family can reach you. Get those right, and the rest tends to fall into place.

Where can I find retirement property abroad on INTRIC?

You can explore retirement property abroad in 14 countries, so you can compare several places before you decide:

  • UAE
  • Spain
  • Croatia
  • South Africa
  • Albania
  • Portugal
  • Thailand
  • France
  • Slovakia
  • UK
  • New Zealand
  • Montenegro
  • Australia
  • Indonesia

The UAE and Spain have the most homes on this page, so they are a useful place to start your search.

Does buying a home give me a retirement visa?

In most markets on this page, buying a home and getting a retirement visa are separate steps. Spain's non-lucrative visa, Portugal's D7, Thailand's long-stay visa, and South Africa's retired person visa are based on your income or savings rather than on owning property.

A few rules do look at the home you own:

  • UAE: a home worth at least AED 1 million is one way to qualify for the retirement visa in Dubai.
  • Croatia: a retired home owner over 60 can keep extending a temporary stay.
  • Albania: a foreign home owner can apply for a residence permit of up to a year, which can be renewed.

An immigration adviser can confirm the right route for you.

Can my pension count towards a retirement visa?

Often it can. South Africa's retired person visa is based on a pension or retirement income, Portugal's D7 is designed for pensioners, and Thailand's retirement visas accept a monthly pension. Each consulate sets which documents it accepts, so ask before you apply.

What should I check before buying a home to retire in?

Look for a home that will stay easy to live in: a lift or single-level layout, step-free access, and low-maintenance outdoor space. Check how far the nearest hospital, pharmacy, and airport are, and ask about service charges so you can plan your budget. A friendly community nearby can make settling in much easier.

Will retiring abroad affect my pension and taxes?

It can. Living in a new country for most of the year can make you tax resident there, depending on local rules and any tax treaty. Your pension provider can confirm how payments abroad work, and a tax adviser who knows both countries can explain what applies to you before you move.

Your next step

Found retirement property abroad that suits you?

Every listing connects you directly with the developer or agent selling it. Open the property you love and press Contact to ask about pricing, availability, and access to healthcare nearby.

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