Best Elderly Care in the World in 2026

According to the Global Citizens Solutions Global Retirement Index, Portugal, Spain, and Uruguay currently rank among the top countries overall for retirees. These countries offer top-notch senior-specific benefits, excellent healthcare, high-quality facilities, and a low cost of living for retirees.

In this guide, we will be looking at the top 16 countries with the best elderly care in the world, where you can enjoy your retirement stress-free, the factors that make countries place high on the GCS Global Retirement Index, and the best senior-friendly visas to choose from.

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

The index evaluates 44 retirement/passive-income visa programs across 44 countries using six named sub-indices: procedure, citizenship & mobility, economics, quality of life, tax optimization, and safety & integration. It also 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 for elderly care. These places offer excellent medical services, a high quality of life, safety, and strong social integration.

1. Portugal

Ranking #1 on GCS Global Retirement Index, Portugal is highly sought after by many foreign retirees from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada.

With a strong social welfare system and stable democracy, and Portugal ranking in the top 10 safest countries in the world on the World 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. Any foreigner who is a legally 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 thus cost significantly less than in, say, the United States. There are also many medical professionals who speak English, making the country easily accessible for foreigners to receive elderly care.

Portugal is one of the countries that offer a retirement-specific visa in the form of the Portugal D7 Visa for those who want to grow old in the country.

With an income requirement of around €920/month (€11,040/year), you can sit back and relax while benefiting from the country’s elderly care benefits. You can apply for citizenship after 5 years of residency.

2. Spain

Spain ranks 3rd 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 Spain. It has been designed with passive income earners, like pensioners, in mind.

3. Uruguay

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

In addition, expats have access to Uruguay’s public healthcare services provided they have obtained legal residency.

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. 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.

Just like Costa Rica, retiring in Uruguay to get some of the best elderly care in the world is simple with the country’s Independent Means Visa. All that’s required is to show you have a stable income for a pension with no minimum requirement. This visa gives you access to the country’s Mutualista system and citizenship after 3 to 5 years of residency.

4. Italy

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 6th on the Global Citizen Solutions’ Global Retirement Index.

• Universal healthcare: This system offers great elderly care and covers both citizens and foreign residents.
• Social security: The country offers social security, which includes a state pension, and a companion allowance (Indennità di accompagnamento).
• Favorable tax regime: Italy offers a flat-tax system on foreign income, making it an attractive destination for those seeking tax optimization strategies as they age.

English proficiency is relatively high, 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 stipulates no working while in the country with an income requirement of around €31,000 per year or around €38,000 if you’re bringing a spouse along.

5. Malta

Malta ranks #8th on the GCS Global Retirement Index and is among the safest countries in Europe, with a stable democracy, low crime, and no history of internal conflict. As an EU member state, Malta offers reliable infrastructure, meaning clean water, good roads, and modern amenities for citizens and foreign retirees alike.

English is an official language alongside Maltese, making healthcare, banking, and daily life easy to navigate. Public healthcare is high quality, though access for non-EU retirees depends on residency status, so private health insurance is required to qualify for residency. Private care itself is reasonably priced, with senior premiums typically €150-€250 a month.

Daily expenses like groceries, utilities and transportation are generally lower than in Western Europe, though property costs have risen and are worth budgeting for carefully.

Foreign retirees can retire in the country through the Malta Retirement Visa and benefit from Malta’s favorable tax regime, which operates on a remittance basis: foreign income is only taxed when brought into Malta, and foreign capital gains are never taxed, even if remitted.

Retirees receiving a foreign pension or social security from their home country only pay Malta’s flat 15% rate on what they actually remit, with a minimum annual tax of €7,500.

6. Costa Rica

According to the GCS Global Retirement Index, Costa Rica ranks 11th among the best countries to retire in.

In addition, 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 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 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 is thus 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 an average income of $1,000 per month from a pension, and you can gain access to the public healthcare system for a small monthly fee.

7. Paraguay

Paraguay ranks 13th on GCS Global Retirement Index and has one of South America’s lower crime and conflict profiles, with a stable political climate. Private healthcare in Asunción is good quality and costs roughly 50–70% less than in the US, making it accessible even on a modest retirement budget.

Daily expenses are among the lowest in the region, a comfortable retirement runs about $1,500–2,800/month for a couple, covering rent, food, and healthcare.

Foreign retirees benefit from Paraguay’s territorial tax system: only Paraguay-sourced income is taxed, so foreign pensions and Social Security are exempt at 0%, with no special status or exemption filing required.

Retiring in Paraguay is done through the Independent Means Visa, which requires applicants to show roughly $1,300–1,500/month in stable foreign passive income, with no age requirement and no fixed physical presence requirement to maintain residency.

8. Argentina

Argentina is the 18th country on the GCS Global Retirement Index. It offers a relatively affordable, culturally rich retirement, with living costs in Buenos Aires often 50–60% below those in major European capitals.

Private healthcare (prepaga) plans like OSDE and Swiss Medical offer excellent coverage for $150–400/month, well below US costs for comparable care.

Retirees who stay under 183 days a year and don’t hold a long-term permit generally aren’t taxed on foreign pension income.

Once tax residency triggers (183+ days, permanent residency, or 12 continuous months on a permit), Argentina taxes worldwide income at progressive rates of 5-35%, so most Rentista/Pensionado retirees structure their stay carefully around this threshold.

Foreigners can retire in Argentina through the Rentista Visa, which requires proof of stable, passive foreign income of roughly 5x the national minimum wage (about $1,400–$2,000/month), leads to permanent residency after a few years, and doesn’t require any local investment or Spanish proficiency.

9. Panama

Ranking 19th on the GCS Global Retirement Index, Panama is politically stable and uses the US dollar, which removes currency risk for retirees.

The tax system follows the same pattern. Panama taxes only local income. Foreign pensions, Social Security and investment income aren’t taxed, even if the money is sent to a Panamanian bank account.

Panama also has high-quality and affordable private healthcare. Pensionado visa holders also get 15–25% off hospitals and medical consultations.

Foreign retirees can move to Panama through the Pensionado Visa. Applicants must show a guaranteed lifetime pension of at least $1,000 a month ($750 if you own $100,000+ in Panamanian property, plus $250 per dependent). It grants permanent residency right away, and you only need to visit once every two years to keep it.

10. Sweden

Sweden has invested in advanced healthcare and comfortable living arrangements for older adults while also focusing on integrating elderly individuals into society through social engagement and community participation.

• Universal healthcare: Sweden is known for its publicly funded care system that is accessible to all residents, regardless of nationality or employment status. It is primarily funded through taxes, offering everything from primary to specialized care.
• Aging in place: Swedes emphasize independence among elderly individuals and those with disabilities, encouraging people to age in their own homes.
• Decentralized social and healthcare systems: The responsibility for financing, organizing and providing services are delegated to the regions and municipalities. The benefit of this is universal coverage and equal access, allowing for local tailoring of services and the maintenance of national oversight when it comes to policies.
• Accessibility: Sweden funds the creation of an accessible society for all, which means reliable public transport services, good housing and home help services.

11. Norway

Norway is consistently found at the number one spot when it comes to the best elder care in the world. Some important factors that affect Norway’s exceptional elder care service ratings include:

• Universal welfare: Funded by citizens’ taxes and contributions, elderly care services through universal welfare enables older people to remain at and be cared for inside their homes.
• Generous pension: Norway’s pension system covers everyone over 65, providing older Norwegians with the financial security to provide for themselves when they get hit with age-related illness or injury
• Age-friendly development and reforms: To support its aging populace, Norway emphasizes the building of sustainable and age-friendly communities.

12. Switzerland

Not only is Switzerland consistently in the top 5 most powerful passports in the Global Passport Index (currently number 2 on the list), but Swiss healthcare is also some of the most robust in the world.

This is for a variety of reasons including mandatory universal healthcare system that ensures older people have access to quality medical care as they age. Some highlights include:

• VIA project: Focuses on strengthening the health and well-being of older people in six areas, namely physical activity, fall prevention, mental health, vulnerable groups, counseling and events support, and integration of general practitioners.
• Time banks: Swiss citizens volunteer to help seniors so that they can then later use these so-called “time credits” for help in their old age. This was formulated in anticipation of care shortages in the future.
• Aging in place: Support is given in the form of both formal and informal caregivers to allow older adults to live at home for as long as possible to reduce strain on the healthcare system.

13. Mexico

Mexico is a popular destination for elderly foreigners. This is due to its low medical costs, especially in comparison to the U.S., Canada and even Europe.

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. The country is continuously investing in the latest medical procedures and technology.

There are even quite a few international hospitals in Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Mérida that cater specifically to expatriates. Another benefit for foreign retirees is Mexico’s affordable in-home nursing and assisted living services.

When it comes to cost of living and housing, Mexico is a top destination with expats settling in budget-friendly retirement communities across the country.

Mexico is also known for its mild climate that is ideal for senior citizens and a relaxed lifestyle for stress-free retirement.

While Mexico doesn’t offer a visa specific to retirees, there is the option of the Permanent Residency Mexico permit if you want to receive your elderly care in this country. There are public and private healthcare options available and path to citizenship after 5 years of staying in the country.

14. New Zealand

New Zealand is quite an attractive destination for retirees, offering a high quality of life, 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. Long-term visa holders are covered by this so it’s good to keep in mind when consider New Zealand as an option for elderly care.

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.

When it comes to taxes, there is a flat tax system on foreign income with a favorable tax regime for retirees. In comparison to the United States and Western European countries, New Zealand’s cost of living is low, especially in rural areas and towns.

Foreign retirees can retire in New Zealand via the country’s official retirement visas or the Active Investor Visa.

15. Canada

Canada offers publicly funded universal healthcare. This means everyone, including seniors, get access to medical services without the usually high costs.

Immigrants are eligible for this health care coverage, albeit with a 90-day waiting period in some Canadian provinces.

Canda 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.
• Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS): This add-on to the OAS (see above) provides a non-taxable monthly payment specifically for low-income seniors.

When it comes to integration, Canada is great when it comes to cultural sensitivity. Canadian citizens make sure to care for old age pensioners in a way that is sensitive to their needs and cultural traditions, which helps limit potential discrimination while receiving elderly care.

16. Ireland

Ireland has committed to the United Nations principles that aims to ensure seniors do not live in poverty, are not required to leave their home due to lack of services, do not live in inadequate housing and are not living without a support system.

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.