Best Elderly Care in the World: 10 Countries in 2026 

There is no single best country for every older person because healthcare entitlement, long-term-care access, cost, language, support network, and individual needs differ.  

However, according to the Global Citizens Solutions (GCS) Retirement Index, which measures overall retirement suitability for US citizens, Spain, Portugal, and Costa Rica, currently rank among the top countries.  

Although no single country has the best elderly care in the world across all factors, most of these countries offer good senior-specific benefits, solid healthcare, high-quality facilities, and a dedicated immigration pathway for retirees. 

In this guide, we will be looking at the top ten countries where you can enjoy your retirement stress-free, the factors that make these countries place high on the GCS Global Retirement Index, and the best senior-friendly visas to choose from.  

We will also explore how GCS can help guide your relocation process to any of these countries.  

Best Elderly Care in the World – Key Takeaways

Spain, Portugal, and Costa Rica lead the 2026 GCS Retirement Index for US Citizens, although the index measures overall retirement suitability rather than elderly-care quality alone. 

The countries compared offer different care models, including universal public healthcare, membership-based systems such as Uruguay’s mutualistas, and combinations of public and private care. 

Public healthcare coverage does not guarantee free or immediate access to home care, assisted living, or nursing homes; eligibility may depend on residence status, insurance, contributions, and a needs assessment. 

Retirement access ranges from income-based options such as Portugal’s D7 Visa and Costa Rica’s Pensionado residence to New Zealand’s investment-based retirement route, while Canada and France have no dedicated retirement visa. 

The best country depends on your healthcare needs, budget, preferred location, language, and support network, as well as the quality, availability, and regulation of individual care providers 

The Global Citizen Solutions Global Retirement Index  (GRI) is a useful tool for choosing the best country for retirement and elderly care. 

The ranking reflects overall retirement suitability for US citizens rather than elderly-care quality alone. Public healthcare and long-term-care eligibility depend on factors such as immigration status, residence history, insurance coverage, financial assessments, and local service availability. It helps retirees compare different locations based on key factors, including healthcare, cost of living, and safety. 

By using this index, retirees can make informed choices about where to live, ensuring their healthcare needs and priorities are met as they age. 

Below, we list some of the best countries following this methodology.

1. Spain 

GRI Score: 100 

Spain ranks first on Global Citizen Solutions’ Global Retirement Index. This is for a variety of reasons, including affordable cost of living, high-quality healthcare, and safety. 

• Affordability: Spain offers free or low-cost universal public healthcare as well as reasonable private healthcare pricing that offers shorter wait times and excellent medical facilities. 
• English proficiency: In most major cities and expat areas, doctors and nurses are fluent in English. 
• Subsidization: Prescription drugs are subsidized, meaning they’re much cheaper than in most countries in the world. 
• Tailored to foreigners: The country has many nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and home care services that cater to the needs of retirees from abroad. 

Not only does Spain have tax agreements with many countries to prevent double taxation on pensions, but it also offers a low cost of living. The country has low crime rates and a reliable infrastructure in the form of well-maintained roads and modern amenities. 

The mild Mediterranean climate of Spain is also great for joint pain, and the laid-back culture offers a stress-free environment to grow old in. 

Foreigners who want to take advantage of the country’s great elderly care can retire in Spain through attractive programs such as the Non-Lucrative Visa. It has been designed with passive income earners, like pensioners, in mind.  

For this visa, retirees must show sufficient passive income of €28,800 per year. Visa holders obtain a one-year temporary residence permit, which can be renewed for up to five years. Holders can then apply for permanent residence after 5 years of continuous living in the country.  

Invest in your future with the Spain Non Lucrative Visa

Click Here

2. Portugal

GRI Score: 99.79 

Ranking #2 on the 2026 GCS Global Retirement Index, Portugal is highly sought after by many foreign retirees.  With a strong social welfare system and stable democracy, and Portugal ranking #7  on the 2026 Global Peace Index, this is no surprise. 

This expat trend has grown the Portuguese senior care industry by increasing the number of nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and in-home care services catering specifically to foreigners. 

• Universal Healthcare System (SNS): Portugal offers low-cost or free medical care for those over the age of 65. Any foreigner who is a legal resident in Portugal can obtain a National Health Service (SNS) user number, which entitles them to medical assistance at public healthcare facilities. 
• Expat-friendly and affordable: Prescription medication is subsidized and, therefore, costs significantly less than in, say, the United States. There are also many medical professionals who speak English, making it easy for foreigners to access elderly care in the country. 

The country also has a specific visa for retirees, known as the D7 Visa.  With an income requirement of around €920/month (€11,040/year), you obtain a two-year renewable temporary residence permit.  

There is also a clear pathway to permanent residence and citizenship. You can apply for permanent residency after five years or apply for Portuguese citizenship after ten years (or 7 years for CPLP citizens) under the new 2026 nationality law (Decree No. 48/XVII), which is published in the Diário da República. 

See our full expert guide to the Portugal D7 Visa

Click Here

3. Costa Rica

GRI Score: 99.51 

Costa Rica ranks 3rd on the GCS Global Retirement Index. It is a stable country when it comes to having a reliable Infrastructure, meaning there’s clean water, good roads, and modern amenities for citizens and foreign retirees alike. 

There are many English-speaking doctors who have been trained abroad and are working in Costa Rica. Prescription medication is quite cheap, and the public healthcare system provides comprehensive care at a low cost for legal residents. 

Daily expenses like utilities, groceries, and transportation are reasonably priced, and assisted living facilities are much more affordable than in other countries in the world. 

Foreign retirees benefit from the Costa Rican tax system as they are only taxed on income generated in the country and not foreign income. Social Security and pension from your home country are safe from taxes. 

Retiring in Costa Rica to benefit from the country’s elderly care is easy with the Pensionado Visa. All you need is to demonstrate a minimum of $1,000 USD per month in lifetime retirement income (such as Social Security, a government pension, or an annuity).  

Retirees must also enroll in the Costa Rica Public Healthcare System (CCSS / Caja), with monthly contributions of around 9% to 11% of their stated income. This visa is initially granted for a renewable two-year temporary residency. After three years, you can apply for permanent residency.  

4. Uruguay

GRI Score: 97.89 

Uruguay offers high-quality, affordable healthcare through a Mutualista system, a private, membership-based model. It ranks #4 on the GCS Global Retirement Index.  

Mutualistas are popular with foreign retirees because membership can provide access to clinics, hospitals, and specialists, although fees, copayments, and age-related admission conditions should be checked directly with each provider. 

The country has well-equipped and modern medical facilities, with many English-speaking doctors who have been trained in Europe and the United States. Prescription drugs are also reasonably priced. 

When it comes to safety, it is one of Latin America’s safest countries, with low crime rates, political stability, and a strong democracy. In addition, Uruguay has good public services, clean water, and modern amenities. 

The country boasts a temperate climate and a relaxed lifestyle, ideal for seniors. The cost of living is low when it comes to housing, food, and transportation, and there’s no tax on foreign retirees’ pensions or Social Security coming from abroad. 

Retiring in Uruguay to get some of the best elderly care in the world is simple with the country’s Independent Means Visa (Passive Income Visa), which grants permanent residence to retirees who can legally prove a stable passive monthly income of at least USD $1,500 from sources outside Uruguay.  

Uruguay also has a clear path to citizenship. Independent Means Visa holders can apply for citizenship after three years if they are married or have a family unit, or five years if they are single, provided they meet the country’s naturalization requirements.  

5. Mexico

GRI Score: 97.19 

Mexico is a popular destination for elderly foreigners. This is due to its low medical costs, especially in comparison to the US., Canada, and even Europe. It ranks #5 on the GCS Retirement Index,. 

Over the years, it has become a medical tourism hub with many foreigners traveling to the country for dental work, surgeries, and long-term treatments.  

Mexico offers public and private healthcare, but access, cost, and quality vary significantly between states and cities. Major centers such as Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey have large private hospital networks, while rural areas may offer fewer specialists and long-term-care providers.  

Assisted-living and home-care services can be less expensive than in the United States, but regulation and service standards should be checked carefully. 

When it comes to the cost of living and housing, Mexico is a top destination with expats settling in budget-friendly retirement communities across the country. The country is also known for its mild climate, which is ideal for senior citizens and a relaxed lifestyle for stress-free retirement. 

While Mexico doesn’t offer a visa specific to retirees, financially independent retirees may qualify for permanent residence through economic solvency by showing $7,400 USD in monthly income or $298,000 USD in savings.  

You can also obtain a temporary visa valid for one year, which can be renewed for up to four years. You must show proof of steady monthly income (roughly $4,360 USD) or required savings balances. 

Foreigners who obtain a Mexican permanent residency can access the public healthcare system (IMSS), enter and leave the country freely, and even qualify for senior discounts (INAPAM). There is also no minimum stay requirement to maintain your residency status.  

Citizenship is also possible after five years of permanent residence (or two years for Latin American and Iberian nationals). 

6. New Zealand

GRI Score: 96.53 

New Zealand ranks #6 on the GCS Global Retirement Index and is quite an attractive destination for retirees, offering a high quality of life, a diverse range of climates, and a robust healthcare system. 

The country offers government-funded universal healthcare coverage, meaning low-cost or free healthcare services for citizens and residents alike. Older people may receive needs-assessed home support, community care or residential-care assistance, but eligibility for public healthcare does not automatically guarantee funding for every service.  

With New Zealand being renowned for its high acceptance of expats and migrants, the country is ideal for English-speaking foreign pensioners to retire in. 

Foreign retirees can retire in New Zealand via the Active Investor Visa, which grants a residence visa that converts to permanent residence after a 3-year investment and presence holding period, to foreign nationals who invest a minimum of NZD 5 million ($2,939,500) in an eligible investment category. Holders can be eligible for citizenship after five years of residency.  

New Zealand also has a Temporary Retirement Visitor Visa for applicants aged 66 or older. It requires a NZD 750,000 ($440,858) investment, NZD 500,000 ($293,905) in maintenance funds, an annual income of NZD 60,000 ($35,268), and appropriate health or travel insurance. However, it is a two-year visitor route and should not be confused with permanent residence.  

7. Italy

GRI Score: 95.94 

Italy is managing a rapidly aging population. This has simultaneously placed a strain on the healthcare system and urged Italians to find solutions for optimizing elderly care. It ranks 7th on the Global Citizen Solutions’ Global Retirement Index. 

Italy provides universal public healthcare through the Servizio Sanitario Nazionale, while elderly care is divided between regional health services, municipalities, families, and private providers. Support can include home assistance, residential care, and medical benefits for people with serious dependency, but access and waiting times vary significantly between regions. 

English proficiency is relatively high in Italy, meaning smooth integration possibilities for English-speaking retirees. When it comes to safety, Italy is considered one of the more peaceful countries in the world. 

If you’d like to retire in Italy and take advantage of its elderly care benefits, you can apply for the Italy Elective Residency Visa. This visa grants residence for one year and can be renewed continually, provided the requirements are met.  It has an income requirement of around €31,000 per year or around €38,000 if you’re bringing a spouse along. 

After five years of continuous residence under this visa, you can apply for permanent residency, and after ten years of legal residence, you may become eligible for Italian citizenship. 

8. Canada

GRI Score: 95.23 

Canada offers publicly funded universal healthcare. This means everyone, including seniors, get access to medical services without the usual high costs. The country’s provinces and territories operate their own public healthcare, home care, and long-term care systems. 

Immigrants are eligible for this health care coverage, albeit with a 90-day waiting period in some Canadian provinces. Canada offers various financial assistance programs for elderly citizens to help them maintain a decent standard of living as they age. These can include: 

• Old Age Security (OAS): a monthly payment you can qualify for if you’re 65 years of age and older. Eligibility depends on legal status and the applicant’s years of residence in Canada. 
• Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS): This add-on to the OAS (see above) provides a non-taxable monthly payment specifically for low-income seniors. 

Citizens and permanent residents can apply for provincial health insurance, but public coverage does not automatically include prescription drugs, dental treatment, assisted living, or the full cost of nursing-home care. Availability, eligibility, fees, and waiting times vary significantly by province. 

Canada does not have a retirement visa. Foreign retirees normally require family sponsorship or another qualifying business immigration pathway.  

9. Ireland

Ireland provides home support, community services, and residential care through the Health Service Executive and private providers. The Nursing Homes Support Scheme, commonly called the Fair Deal scheme, may help eligible residents meet nursing-home costs following care-needs and financial assessments. However, incoming retirees should verify ordinary-residence and program-specific eligibility before relying on public support. 

Ireland has implemented policies that create age-friendly environments, including accessible public transport, housing adaptations, and community support. These help seniors to live independently for as long as possible and can engage in social activities to prevent the isolation that tends to come with old age.  

The country offers a variety of senior-friendly support in the form of non-contributory state pension, fuel allowance and household benefits, free travel schemes, a medical card for over-70s and more.  

Financially independent non-EEA retirees may apply for Stamp 0 permission, which grants temporary residence for one year and is renewable continually, as long as the requirements are met. Applicants must have an individual annual income of €50,000 ($58,064), access to a substantial emergency lump sum, and comprehensive private medical insurance.  

Stamp 0 holders must remain financially self-sufficient and cannot rely on Irish state benefits or publicly funded services. Note that time spent on a Stamp 0 does not count toward long-term residency or citizenship. 

10. France

France combines universal healthcare with home-care services, assisted-living residences, and medicalized nursing homes known as EHPADs. The Allocation personnalisée d’autonomie (APA) can help residents aged 60 or older pay for care at home or in a facility when their loss of independence is assessed within the qualifying GIR levels.  

Eligibility requires stable and regular residence in France, and the benefit does not necessarily cover the full cost of accommodation or care. 

France does not have a dedicated retirement visa. Non-EU retirees generally use a long-stay visitor visa, which requires sufficient financial resources, accommodation, and comprehensive health insurance and does not permit employment.