Top 7 Places to Retire Abroad in 2026

Source: International Living, Annual Global Retirement Index 2026.

1. Greece

The first new number one in the index’s 35-year history, on healthcare value, visa access, cost of living, and climate, jumping from seventh a year earlier. Qualifying foreign retirees can access a 7% flat tax on foreign income, and residency options include a golden visa from €250,000 in limited categories (€400,000 and up in most zones, per Henley & Partners).

2. Panama

Second at 89.3 and the operational benchmark: the Pensionado programme mandates discounts of around 25% off utilities, 50% off entertainment, and 20% off medical consultations, on a US dollar economy with stable international banking. US and Canadian citizens also get a six-month visa-free trial before committing.

3. Costa Rica

The climate champion of the 2026 index, with established expat healthcare and a pace of life that keeps it near the top year after year.

4. Portugal

Fourth despite tightened visa rules and rising costs; the Algarve’s expat infrastructure, healthcare, and English penetration remain the deepest in southern Europe.

5. Malaysia

Affordable, accessible healthcare, and one of the few Asian markets where foreigners can readily buy property; the 2026 index notes it can fit almost any budget.

6. Thailand

The perennial Southeast Asian anchor: low costs, lifestyle simplicity, and mature expat services, with health insurance a standard visa requirement.

7. Mexico

The proximity play for North Americans: a top-ten fixture on cost of living and ease of trial visits before committing.

Rankings and scores from International Living’s 2026 Annual Global Retirement Index and associated 2026 coverage by CNN and Forbes. Spain also sits inside the top ten. Figures rounded.

Visa changes and rising costs in the old favourites pushed retirees to look elsewhere, while Greece paired Mediterranean value with accessible residency and a 7% flat tax for qualifying foreign retirees.

A retiree choosing Greece over Portugal is weighing a 7% flat tax against familiarity, an EU right against distance from family, and a rising market against a tightened one. The property is the last line of that decision, exactly as it should be.

The retirement purchase fails the same way the education-led purchase fails: buy the view first, discover the hospital run second.

• Healthcare access first: confirm insurance eligibility and hospital proximity before shortlisting towns; most retirement visas, including Portugal’s, Spain’s, Greece’s, and Thailand’s, require cover.
• Visa second: retirement routes are passive-income tested and thresholds move; verify against official sources at application time.
• Property third: rent for a season before buying; it is the cheapest diligence available, and in a value market like 2026 Greece it costs little to wait.
• Know what a purchase does and does not do: Greek residency options include the golden visa, but most retirement visas do not require a purchase at all.

Retirement demand is the most honest price signal in cross-border property: it moves the moment a visa tightens or a fee rises. In 2026 it moved to Greece.

“The retirement reshuffle: where to retire abroad in 2026” goes deeper on the full 2026 ranking table, the Greece-versus-Portugal arithmetic, and the healthcare-visa-property decision order. Access it through the free Explorer tier at intricglobal.com/en/subscribe.

What is the best country to retire to in 2026?

Greece, per International Living’s 2026 Annual Global Retirement Index, its first ever top ranking, scoring 90.1. Panama ranks second at 89.3.

Does Greece offer a tax break for foreign retirees?

Yes. Qualifying foreign retirees can access a 7% flat tax on foreign income, one of the features behind Greece’s rise to number one in 2026.

What discounts does Panama’s Pensionado programme give?

Government-mandated discounts for retiree residents, including around 25% off utilities, 50% off entertainment tickets, and 20% off medical consultations, per International Living.

Should I buy property before getting a retirement visa?

No. Secure healthcare access and the visa first, then buy; most retirement visas do not require a property purchase at all, and renting first is the cheapest diligence available.