10 Best Countries for Americans to Retire in 2026

03/ Costa Rica  

• Why retire in Costa Rica? Costa Rica has a significantly cheaper healthcare system that the US, with costs ranging from 40% to 80% lower. Additionally, the country has a far more tranquil pace of life thanks to the “Pura Vida” lifestyle.  
• Estimated monthly cost of living for a couple: Living costs range between $2,500 to $3,000 per month in San José, $1,500 to $2,000 in Cartago.  
• Best visa options for US retirees: The Pensionado Program also known as the Costa Rica Retirement Visa, and the Costa Rica Investor Visa also known as the Golden Visa. 
• Healthcare access: The Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS) is the public healthcare system that provides for citizens and residents. There are also low cost private health insurance options available. 
• Tax Treatment for U.S. Citizens: The US and Costa Rica do not have a tax treaty. However, the country does not tax foreign retirement income because of the territorial tax system.  

The territorial tax system and the low property tax of 0.25% make the country an appealing destination for retirement. For these reasons and more, Costa Rica ranks 1^st for tax optimization on our Retirement Report.  

The significantly lower cost of living when compared to the US will help you to get more for your money and enjoy an affordable lifestyle.  The most expensive city in the country, San José, costs between $2500 and $3000 per month for a couple.

The CCSS is a reliable public healthcare option, and the private system has an approximate cost of $50–$250 per person, per month. The range is wide because the amount of coverage varies greatly from policy to policy.  

The Costa Rica Retirement Visa requires that retirees prove a lifetime income of at least $1,000 per month. The Costa Rica Investor Visa has a minimum cost of $150,000, and investment options include real estate, business, and approved government projects.  

Estimates vary between 70,000 and 120,000 as to the number of Americans citizens in Costa Rica. The country is an extremely popular destination for American expats because of its low cost of living and its proximity to the US.  

04/ Uruguay 

• Why retire in Uruguay? The country is the second safest in South America, and it is politically stable, ranking 48^th in the world on the Global Peace Index. The climate is temperate with four mild seasons and an average of over 2,900 hours of sun per year, scoring first place for weather on the Retirement Index. 
• Estimated monthly cost of living for a couple: Roughly $2,500 per month in Montevideo, $2,150 in Salto.  
• Best visa options for US retirees: The Independent Means Visa which requires a stable income of ~$1,500 per month. 
• Healthcare access: The Administración de los Servicios de Salud del Estado (ASSE) is the public system that provides high-quality healthcare. There are also affordable private health insurance options available. 
• Tax Treatment for U.S. Citizens: The US and Costa Rica do not have a tax treaty. But, due to the territorial tax system, your foreign-sourced income will not be taxed for the first 10 years. 

Uruguay is located South of Brazil just above Argentina in Latin America. The country is known for its mild climate year-round, its abundance of sunshine, and its high quality of life. It scores 5^th on the Retirement Index for quality of life, demonstrating its suitability for American retirees.

Another benefit of Uruguay is the tax environment, scoring 2^nd in the Retirement Index. The country exempts foreign-sourced income from local tax for the first 10 years of your stay. Additionally, there is no tax on dividends or interest that are earned overseas.

The Uruguay Independent Means Visa requires that you earn a stable monthly income of ~$1,500. This income may be drawn from pensions, rentals, or investments, making it perfect for retirees. The Visa can lead to permanent residence, as well as Uruguayan citizenship after 3 years for married couples and 5 years for single applicants.  

The ASSE is the public healthcare provider in the country, servicing all residents with a high doctor-to-patient ratio. Mutualistas are an inexpensive private option that costs between $160 and $300 per month for a couple. Additionally, there are also higher-tier private options that cost $325 to $400 per month.

Uruguay has an American population of over 3,000 with vibrant expat communities, particularly in the major cities. Montevideo is the main hub for immigration, with coastal towns like Punta del Este being popular for retirees.  

05/ Mexico 

• Why retire in Mexico? The country offers a high quality of life, ranking 2^nd in the Retirement Index, as well as a much lower cost of living compared to the US. On average, costs are 50% to 70% less in Mexico.  
• Estimated monthly cost of living for a couple: $2,400 to $3,000 per month in Mexico City, $3,000 to $4,000 in San Miguel de Allende.  
• Best visa options for US retirees: The Permanent Resident Visa, and Mexican Residency by Investment. 
• Healthcare access: The Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) is the public system that provides universal healthcare at low or no cost. There are also low cost private health insurance options available. 
• Tax Treatment for U.S. Citizens: The US and Mexico have a tax treaty to help avoid being taxed twice on the same retirement income.

Mexico has an American population of approximately 1.6 million, with hubs like Mexico City housing large expat communities. Americans make up the largest group of expats in Mexico, and this is mainly driven by cost of living and access to affordable healthcare.  

There is universal public healthcare in Mexico through the IMSS both for those with coverage and for those without. Additionally, private options are available with an average monthly cost of $100 to $200. These facilities are what help Mexico to rank 5^th on the Retirement Index for healthcare.  

The cost of living in Mexico is around 50% to 70% less than in the US depending on location and lifestyle. One of the more expensive cities in Mexico, San Miguel de Allende, costs $3000 to $4000 a month for a couple. While a less expensive city like Lake Chapala (Ajijic) costs between $1,500 and $2,500 for a couple.

The Permanent Resident Visa is an excellent option for retirees with either savings or a pension. To qualify for permanent residency in Mexico, you will need to demonstrate savings of at least $181,968 over a 12-month period or have a pension or other form of passive income that yields $4,549 per month.

Mexico also has a Residency by Investment program, which offer two routes to residence. The first requires a ~$598,000 property purchase, and the second requires investing in a Mexican company to the value of ~$300,000. Both options provide a temporary permit which can be converted to permanent residence after a 4-year period, with citizenship after 5 years.

06/ New Zealand

• Why retire in New Zealand? The country ranks 2^nd in the Global Peace Index, provides an exceptional quality of life, and ranks 1^st in the Security, Acceptance and Integration category of the Retirement Index.
• Estimated monthly cost of living for a couple: Living costs range between $2,400 to $3,000 per month in Auckland, $2,000 to $2,500 in Christchurch.
• Best visa options for US retirees: The New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa which has a starting cost of ~$3 million. 
• Healthcare access: New Zealand has public healthcare for citizens and permanent residents. The country also has private options that are available at reasonable prices.
• Tax Treatment for U.S. Citizens: The US and New Zealand have a tax treaty to help avoid being taxed twice on the same income.

New Zealand is one of the premier destinations for American retirement thanks to the country ranking first in both migrant acceptance and English proficiency in the Retirement Index. These factors will make the process of integration easier and help achieve a stable retirement abroad.

There is a public healthcare system in New Zealand that covers citizens, permanent residents, and a variety of visa holders. Private options are also available, and they cost between $180 and $400 per month for a couple.

The New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa is a residency by investment program with a starting cost of NZD 5 million (~$3 million). The program enables investors to acquire permanent residence in the country with citizenship by naturalization available after 5 years.

Safety is a large part of the appeal of the country as it has a very low crime rate and ranks 2^nd on the GPI. Additionally, New Zealand is strategically located geographically making it an ideal location for retirement.

The population centers of the country mainly sit on the coast, meaning that the weather is mild for much of the year. New Zealand experiences moderate rainfall and over 2,000 hours of sunshine per year. Some coastal areas like Nelson, Marlborough, and Bay of Plenty can experience as much as 2,700 hours a year.

07/ Italy 

• Why retire in Italy? It has warm Mediterranean weather, world-class healthcare ranking 11^th in the Retirement Index, and a favorable flat-tax regime that is particularly beneficial for high-net-worth individuals. 
• Estimated monthly cost of living for a couple: $3,000 to $3,500 per month in Rome, $2,500 to $3,000 in Milan.  
• Best visa options for US retirees: The Elective Residency Visa, and the Investor Visa. 
• Healthcare access: Italy has universal healthcare through the Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN) that applies to citizens, legal residents, and long-term visitors. Private plans are also available for a low cost. 
• Tax Treatment for U.S. Citizens: The US and Italy have a tax treaty to help avoid being taxed twice on the same income.  

Italy is a top choice among retirees seeking a Mediterranean climate, and the country experiences 2,200 to 2,400 hours of sunlight per year. The North of Italy has mountainous regions while the south is one long coastline in the iconic boot shape. As a result, there are several climates to choose from in the country.  

The Elective Residency Visa, also called the Italy Retirement Visa, is perfectly suited to retirees because it requires passive income from sources like pensions, investments, or rental properties. The minimum income per year for the program is €32,000 per year for a single applicant and €38,000 per year for a married couple.  

The Italy Golden Visa, also called the Investor Visa, is another excellent choice as it provides investors with residency in the country. The starting cost for the program is €250,000, and it leads to permanent residence after 2 years and citizenship after 10.  

The SSN provides low-cost, universal healthcare to residents of Italy. All residents will need to register and receive their cards for access. Private options are also available in the country, and they cost between $200 and $400 per month, per person.  

The Italy Flat Tax Regime allows high-net-worth individuals to pay an annual flat tax of €300,000 on all foreign-sourced income, regardless of the amount. In addition to this, retirees can benefit directly by relocating to certain areas in the country and paying a flat 7% tax rate on all foreign-sourced income, including pensions, rental income, and capital gains. 

08/ Canada 

• Why retire in Canada? The country ranks 1^st for flight distance, 2^nd for security, and 3^rd for tax optimization according to our Retirement Index. Canada’s proximity and its similar culture help American expats integrate more easily.  
• Estimated monthly cost of living for a couple: $3,000 to $4,000 per month in Toronto, $4,000 to $5,000 in Vancouver.  
• Best visa options for US retirees: There is no retirement visa for Canada and expats will need to qualify through the Express Entry or Provincial Nominee Programs. 
• Healthcare access: Canada has universal healthcare for its citizens and permanent residents. Private health insurance is also available at reasonable rates. 
• Tax Treatment for U.S. Citizens: The US and Canada have a tax treaty to prevent double taxation.  

Canada is a particularly immigrant-friendly nation, with large expat communities in most cities, particularly Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal. Expats from around the world come to Canada for the quality of life, the healthcare system, and the welcoming culture of the country.  

After the age of 65, individuals can start to access significant tax credits with a saving of over $9,000 available. In addition, the tax treaty with the US means that American retirees will not have to face double taxation on their income.  

The Canadian public healthcare system is universal and it is called Medicare. The system provides necessary medical care to citizens and permanent residents. Each province or territory administers its own care based on federal standards. On average, the system will cover about 70% of the costs.  

Canada is widely considered one of the safest countries in the world, with a very low crime rate particularly when compared to the US. The nation ranked 14^th on the Global Peace Index, making it the highest rated North American country.  

Integrating into Canadian culture will be especially easy for Americans due to the overlaps. This makes the move a less daunting experience. Additionally, much of Canada has English as a first language which makes local communication simple. We offer Canadian Immigration Lawyer services to help with the move.

09/ Ireland  

• Why retire in Ireland? The country scores 1^st for security and 2^nd for tax optimization in the Retirement Index. Ireland is English speaking and surprisingly close to the US, scoring 4^th for flight distance. 
• Estimated monthly cost of living for a couple: Living costs range between $3,000 to $5,000 per month in Dublin, $3,000 to $4,000 in Cork.  
• Best visa options for US retirees: The Retirement Visa, also called Stamp 0, requires a yearly income of €50,000 (~$59,000) per person. 
• Healthcare access: Ireland has both public and private healthcare options with those over 70 receiving Medical Cards enabling free access to certain care. 
• Tax Treatment for U.S. Citizens: The US and Ireland have a tax treaty to avoid double taxation.  

Ireland is a small island nation off the coast of England. The country has a population of just over 5 million people, and it is welcoming to expats.  

The Health Service Executive (HSE) provides the universal healthcare in Ireland to both citizens and residents. About 40% of the population is on Medical Cards, including those over 70, which provide free GP visits, prescriptions, and hospital care. Private options are also available with an average annual cost of $1,650 to $2,600.  

The Retirement Visa, or Stamp 0, allows those with an annual income of €50,000 (~$59,000) to acquire residence in the country. The stamp also requires that individuals have savings in the region of the cost of a house in Ireland.  

Ireland is an exceptionally safe and secure nation, ranking 2^nd in the world in the Global Peace Index. The rates of crime are very low, and the country is particularly stable. In addition, the nation is not involved in any local or international conflicts.  

Residency status is an important consideration when looking at tax in Ireland. Residents of the country pay tax on worldwide income, while non-residents only pay tax on their Irish income.  

10/ France  

• Why retire in France? The nation ranks 1^st for healthcare in the Retirement Index reflecting its suitability for retirees. It has a diverse range of climates with Southern areas experiencing over 2,500 hours of sunlight per year. 
• Estimated monthly cost of living for a couple: $4,000 to $5,500 per month for Paris, $2,100 to $3,300 in Marseilles.  
• Best visa options for US retirees: The Long-Stay Visitor Visa is available for retirees requiring a monthly income of ~$1,700. 
• Healthcare access: France has universal healthcare for all legal residents through PUMA. There are also low cost private plans available.
• Tax Treatment for U.S. Citizens: The US and France have a tax treaty that prevents double taxation.  

France is a culturally rich retirement destination located in Western Europe. The country has one coastline on the Atlantic and the other on the Mediterranean. Southern parts of the country see an average of 7 hours of sunlight per day.  

Healthcare in France is governed by Protection Universelle Maladie (PUMA) which administers the public system. This system covers over 96% of the population. Private healthcare is also available and it costs an average of $175 to $200 per month. The country ranks 1^st in the Retirement Index for healthcare. 

The Long-Stay Visitor Visa enables those with an income of ~$1,700 that originates from outside France to live in the country for a year. This can be extended through the acquisition of a residence permit.  

The US expat population of France ranges between 150,000 to over 190,000. This makes it one of the most popular destinations in the world for American citizens. Many cities have established expat communities, patricianly larger hubs like Paris and Marseilles. 

Quality of life is high in France, ranking 4^th in the Retirement Index. The nation enjoys high living standards and has one of the largest economies in the world.