Global Citizen Solutions Launches Comprehensive Global Retirement Report, Revealing Top Destinations for International Retirement Migration

London, July 22, 2025: As retirees increasingly seek international opportunities for enhanced quality of life, tax optimization, and global mobility, Global Citizen Solutions, a leading advisory firm specializing in investment migration, has released its comprehensive Global Retirement Report (GRR). The report presents the most comprehensive and up-to-date overview of retirement migration pathways, evaluating 44 passive income visa options across 44 countries and providing data-driven insights for those seeking to retire abroad. This groundbreaking analysis reveals Portugal, Mauritius, and Spain as the top destinations for international retirees, while highlighting that retirement visa opportunities are truly global, with the Americas and Europe in the lead.

“The global retirement landscape has evolved dramatically, with retirees no longer confined to traditional domestic retirement plans. Today’s retirees are seeking international destinations that offer not just favorable climates, but comprehensive packages including tax optimization, quality healthcare, and pathways to citizenship,” said Patricia Casaburi, CEO of Global Citizen Solutions. “Our Global Retirement Report serves as the definitive guide for retirees looking to maximize their retirement years through strategic international relocation, offering unprecedented insights into the world’s most attractive retirement destinations.”

The report’s methodology evaluates programs using 20 targeted indicators across six comprehensive dimensions, creating the most holistic assessment of global retirement migration opportunities to date. The analysis encompasses the following key areas:

• Procedure Index: Application processes, income requirements, and program accessibility
• Citizenship and Mobility Index: Pathways to citizenship, dual nationality policies, and visa-free travel opportunities
• Economics Index: Cost of living, currency stability, and economic environment
• Tax Optimization Index: Tax systems, retiree-specific benefits, and wealth preservation opportunities
• Quality of Life Index: Healthcare systems, environmental quality, and living standards
• Safety and Integration Index: Personal security, migrant acceptance, and integration support

Top Countries for Global Retirement Migration:

• European destinations dominate the top tier, with Portugal, Spain, and Austria leading through exceptional quality of life, world-class healthcare systems, and favorable tax regimes for retirees. European programs offer the world’s strongest mobility options, with access to high-powered passports and visa-free travel throughout the Schengen Area and beyond.
• Americas programs excel in tax efficiency and cost-effectiveness, with countries like Uruguay offering territorial tax systems and immediate permanent residency pathways. The region accounts for 36% of all available programs, providing retirees with affordable living costs and generous tax exemptions for foreign-sourced income.
• Island nations such as Mauritius and Seychelles attract retirees with straightforward territorial tax systems, explicit exemptions on foreign pensions, and high migrant acceptance rates, creating welcoming multicultural environments for international retirees.
• Emerging destinations across Asia and Africa offer flexible entry requirements, warm climates year-round, and increasingly competitive programs designed to attract international retirees seeking value and simplicity.

Key Insights from Global Citizen Solutions’ Global Retirement Report:

• Widespread Global Availability: Retirement visa opportunities span every continent, with the Americas representing 36% of programs and Europe 32%. Asia and Africa each account for 16% of available options, making international retirement accessible regardless of preferred climate or culture.
• Quality of Life as Central Priority: Over 70% of analyzed programs (more than 30 out of 44 countries) provide above-average scores in healthcare, environmental quality, and overall living conditions, with European destinations leading in top-tier quality of life standards.
• Clear Pathways to Citizenship: A remarkable 93% of countries analyzed offer clear paths to citizenship while permitting dual citizenship, meaning retirees can achieve full legal integration while retaining their original nationality. Most programs (50%) allow citizenship acquisition within five years or less.
• Family-Friendly Policies: Approximately 93% of programs allow retirees to include their children, while 34% extend this right to dependent parents, ensuring families can relocate together.
• Significant Tax Benefits: 61% of programs offer explicit, legally defined tax benefits for retirees, including flat tax rates, exemptions on foreign-sourced pensions, and special retiree-friendly regimes. From an investment perspective, 50% of jurisdictions employ territorial or zero tax systems.
• Accessible Financial Requirements: 61% of countries set monthly income requirements at or below €2,000, while 68% have application costs of €2,000 or less, making international retirement financially accessible to a broad segment of retirees.
• Enhanced Safety and Integration: Over 60% of countries score above average for both safety and ease of integration, with measures including personal security, migrant acceptance, and English proficiency creating welcoming environments for international retirees.

Regional Advantages for International Retirees:

Europe: Premier Quality of Life and Mobility: European destinations offer unparalleled quality of life, healthcare systems, and global mobility. Southern European countries like Portugal, Italy, and Greece provide attractive special tax regimes, while Western European nations offer comprehensive healthcare access.

Americas: Tax Efficiency and Affordability: Countries throughout the Americas excel in territorial tax systems and cost-effective living. Latin American destinations provide fast-track permanent residency, while Caribbean and Central American nations offer immediate tax relief for retirees.

Asia: Flexible Entry and Climate: Asian programs feature relatively low-income requirements, easy renewals, and favorable year-round climates, appealing to retirees seeking warmth and straightforward relocation processes.

Africa: Simple Taxation and Integration: African destinations attract retirees with territorial tax systems, pension exemptions, and high migrant acceptance rates, creating multicultural environments that facilitate easy integration.

“This comprehensive analysis represents the first report of its kind to provide a holistic, transparent comparison of global retirement migration opportunities,” added Dr. Laura Madrid Sartoretto, research lead at Global Citizen Solutions. “Our methodology ensures retirees can make informed decisions based on their specific priorities, whether focused on tax optimization, quality of life, or long-term citizenship goals.”

The Global Retirement Report was developed by Global Citizen Solutions’ Global Intelligence Unit, which provides comprehensive, data-driven insights to guide global citizens in international mobility and migration decisions.

Full analysis available from our Global Intelligence Unit:
https://www.globalcitizensolutions.com/report/global-retirement-report/