The ExpatBound ranking
Best places to retire abroad
Our ranking of 11 countries popular with American retirees, scored on what matters most when you live on a fixed income: cost, healthcare, ease of residency, safety, and how far you'll be from family.
Ecuador 76 / 100
Dollar economy with some of the lowest retiree income thresholds anywhere and mild Andean cities; check coastal security zones.
Retiree route: Temporary Residence: Retiree (Jubilado): from about $1,450/month
- Cost 1/5
- Healthcare 3/5
- US advisory: Level 2
- about 4 hours from Miami to Quito (nonstop)
Portugal 72 / 100
Safe, mild, and affordable by Western European standards, with a D7 visa a modest pension can qualify for.
Retiree route: D7 Passive Income Visa: from about $1,030/month
- Cost 3/5
- Healthcare 4/5
- US advisory: Level 1
- about 7 hours from New York to Lisbon (nonstop)
Dominican Republic 71 / 100
Caribbean living a short flight from the East Coast, with a retiree incentive law offering real tax breaks.
Retiree route: Pensionado (Law 171-07): from about $1,500/month
- Cost 2/5
- Healthcare 3/5
- US advisory: Level 2
- about 4 hours from New York to Santo Domingo (nonstop)
Thailand 69 / 100
Excellent private hospitals and an easy daily life on several long-stay visas, but far from the US and no land ownership.
Retiree route: Non-Immigrant O / O-A (Retirement, age 50+): from about $1,940/month
- Cost 2/5
- Healthcare 4/5
- US advisory: Level 1
- about 20+ hours from the US East Coast to Bangkok with one connection
Colombia 68 / 100
Spring-like cities and low visa income thresholds tied to the minimum wage, balanced against a Level 3 safety advisory.
Retiree route: M Pensionado (Retirement): from about $1,650/month
- Cost 2/5
- Healthcare 4/5
- US advisory: Level 3
- about 3.5 hours from Miami to Bogotá or Medellín (nonstop)
Panama 64 / 100
Dollar-based, close to the US, with a simple $1,000-a-month retiree visa and no tax on foreign income.
Retiree route: Pensionado (Retiree) Visa: from about $1,000/month
- Cost 3/5
- Healthcare 3/5
- US advisory: Level 2
- about 3 hours from Miami to Panama City (nonstop)
Spain 64 / 100
Excellent infrastructure and healthcare, with clear routes for retirees and remote workers; the golden visa ended in 2025.
Retiree route: Non-Lucrative Visa: from about $2,700/month
- Cost 3/5
- Healthcare 5/5
- US advisory: Level 2
- about 7 to 8 hours from New York to Madrid (nonstop)
Mexico 62 / 100
Close to home with highland, beach and big-city options; residency income rules vary by consulate and safety varies sharply by state.
Retiree route: Temporary Resident (economic solvency): from about $4,500/month
- Cost 2/5
- Healthcare 4/5
- US advisory: Level 2
- about 2.5 hours from Houston to Mexico City (nonstop); about 5 hours from New York
Costa Rica 57 / 100
Nature, a spring-like highland climate, and clear income-based residency, at prices higher than many neighbors.
Retiree route: Pensionado (Retiree) Residency: from about $1,000/month
- Cost 4/5
- Healthcare 3/5
- US advisory: Level 2
- about 3 hours from Miami to San Jose (nonstop)
Italy 49 / 100
Unmatched daily quality of life and affordable small towns, for people with solid passive income and patience for paperwork.
Retiree route: Elective Residence Visa: from about $2,900/month
- Cost 4/5
- Healthcare 4/5
- US advisory: Level 2
- about 8 to 9 hours from New York to Rome (nonstop)
Ghana 42 / 100
English-speaking West African nation with a Right of Abode law welcoming people of African descent; plan for paperwork, land-lease rules and upfront rent.
Retiree route: No income-based retiree visa listed; see guide
- Cost 3/5
- Healthcare 2/5
- US advisory: Level 2
- about 10-11 hours nonstop from the New York or Washington area to Accra
How we score
Each country gets a score out of 100, built from five weighted factors. We publish the method so you can disagree with it, and adjust for your own priorities.
| Factor | Weight | What it measures |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living | 30% | Our 1–5 editorial rating of what a comfortable, US-style retirement costs, from very affordable to expensive. |
| Healthcare | 25% | Our 1–5 rating of quality and access for legal residents, public and private. |
| Ease of residency | 20% | The lowest published monthly income requirement for a retirement or passive-income visa, converted to dollars. Lower is easier. |
| Safety | 15% | The country's current US State Department travel advisory level (1 is best). |
| Distance | 10% | How easy it is to fly home to the US. |
What a ranking can't tell you
Scores are a starting point. Advisory levels often vary by region within a country, income requirements change every year, and two cities in the same country can differ more than two countries. Read the full guide for any place that interests you, and visit before you decide.
Common questions
What is the cheapest country for Americans to retire to?
Among the countries we cover, Ecuador, Colombia, Mexico, Thailand, and the Dominican Republic tend to be the most affordable for a US-style retirement. Your real cost depends far more on the city and housing you choose than on the country average. See cost of living abroad.
Which country has the easiest retirement visa?
Visas with modest, fixed income requirements, such as Panama's Pensionado, Ecuador's pensioner visa, and Portugal's D7, are among the most accessible. Compare them with your own income in the Visa Income Checker.
How do you choose the rankings?
We score each country on five weighted factors using our editorial ratings, published visa requirements, and the current US State Department advisory level. No country or company pays to be included or ranked.
Is the top-ranked country the best for me?
Not necessarily. Our weights reflect a typical retiree. If healthcare or climate matters more to you, the Country Matcher lets you set your own priorities.
Rankings last updated October 18, 2026, using the requirements and advisory levels listed in each country guide. No paid placements.