10 Best Countries for British Expats to Retire (2023)

FAQs

10 Best Countries for British Expats to Retire? ›

Croatia came out at the top of Penfold's list with a much better cost of living when compared to the UK. The price of rent and day to day living was almost half of what it is for Brits who stay at home. It also only takes an average of 2 hours and 5 minutes to get there with relatively cheap flights from the UK.

Croatia came out at the top of Penfold's list with a much better cost of living when compared to the UK. The price of rent and day to day living was almost half of what it is for Brits who stay at home. It also only takes an average of 2 hours and 5 minutes to get there with relatively cheap flights from the UK.

According to various studies, including International Living, Portugal is ranked as the best country for US expats to retire to. Its friendly population, welcoming community of American expats, excellent weather, safety records, and affordable cost of living are all big draws for retirees.

Most UK expats opt for the main cities of Wellington and Auckland where they have everything they need: from excellent healthcare and great schools to a fantastic lifestyle. New Zealand is the perfect place for those who want a warmer climate than the UK, but feel that Australia is too hot for them.

A handful of countries on our list, including Australia, Costa Rica, Malaysia, Panama, the Philippines and Uruguay, don't tax any foreign income of expat retirees, while several others, including Colombia, Dominican Republic, France and Thailand, don't tax pension and Social Security payments.

Greece and Malta are some of the easiest and best places to retire in Europe, as they have large English-speaking communities. Other European destinations that are also suitable for retirement are Portugal, Spain, and Turkey.

American and Canadian governments provide many of the same types of services who have reached the age of retirement. However, Canadian retirees have fewer worries than their American counterparts, thanks to a more generous retirement system.

What is the best country for UK retirees? ›

Spain. Spain is well known as one of the most popular countries that UK expats choose to retire in. While retirees from the UK choose Spain for its laid back lifestyle, hot weather, and beautiful beaches, the climate isn't the only factor that influences retirees to settle in their golden years.

Tea, chocolate – and MARMITE have topped a list of food and drinks expats couldn't live without. Also among the most-loved food and beverage items are crumpets, Heinz salad cream and Irn Bru. Other items missed by those overseas include bacon, mustard and Twiglets.

23.3% of the total U.S. population. Predominantly in the South, Northeast and Interior West regions.

If you are a U.S. citizen, you may receive your Social Security payments outside the U.S. as long as you are eligible for them. However, there are certain countries to which we are not allowed to send payments.

If you earned Social Security benefits, you can visit or live in most foreign countries and still receive payments. Look up the country on the SSA Payments Abroad Screening Tool to be sure you can receive your payments.

These include health, quality of life, material well-being and finances during retirement. With an overall score of 81%, Norway is the most retirement-friendly country on the list.

One of the main factors luring so many expats to Portugal is the country's comparatively low cost of living. American expats will certainly find that most things are much more reasonably priced in Portugal. The innovative Quality of Life Index from Global Citizen Solutions places Portugal in 12th place.

Is it better to retire in Italy or Portugal? ›

Firstly, the Global Peace Index 2021 ranks Portugal as the fourth-safest country to live in, while Italy is ranked at thirty-two. Of course, this doesn't mean Italy is completely unsafe, but an environment where you don't have to worry about your safety is an added benefit for older people.

If you can handle the cold, Germany and the Netherlands are two of the most popular countries for expats, both offering international communities and unique residency options. Switzerland: Although many European countries offer a better quality of life than the U.S., Switzerland takes the cake.

Ecuador. If you're looking for a country where you can retire outside the US comfortably with $800 per month and experience one of the most ecologically diverse places in the world, then Ecuador might be for you. The go-to city for US retirees in Ecuador is Cuenca, which also happens to be a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Countries which grant tax exemption for the UN pensions whether it is paid as a lump sum or as a monthly income are: Argentina, Austria, Bahrain, Chile, India, Kuwait, Malaysia, Malta, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Uruguay and Thailand. However, a different rule may apply to lump sum pension.

Normally, people who are not U.S. citizens may receive U.S. Social Security benefits while outside the U.S. only if they meet certain requirements. Under the agreement, however, you may receive benefits as long as you reside in Canada, regardless of your nationality.

Rather than immigrating to Canada permanently, the easiest route for retirement-aged people is usually to live in Canada part-time, as a visitor. To immigrate to Canada as a permanent resident, you have to go through an official immigration program.

How much money does an American need to retire in Canada? ›

Most financial experts believe retirement savings between the range of $700,000 and $1 million is enough for most Canadians. But these are just ballpark figures. In reality, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question because financial circumstances and retirement goals vary from one person to another.

The most important requirement for immigrating to the USA is a valid residence permit. There is no retiree visa for the United States and owning real estate is not a path to permanent residency either. Nevertheless, there are several options to obtain a permanent or temporary right to stay in the USA.

Best places to retire in the UK

The Jurassic Coast – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – boasts famous landmarks Durdle Door, Lulworth Cove and West Bay (the home of TV series Broadchurch), while picturesque towns and villages such as Bridport, Christchurch and Charminster are popular with retirees.

Lithuania is often touted as one of the cheapest countries in Europe, and for good reason. Expenses like food, transportation, and utilities are relatively low, and rental prices are reasonable. That said, there are a few potential downsides to living in Lithuania as a remote worker on a US or UK salary.

Australia. Down Under is the most popular expat destination, with around 1.5 million British expats out of a 25 million population.

EU Citizens

It is rather straightforward for the European Union (EU) citizens to retire in Portugal. They can apply for residency in Portugal and enjoy most of the benefits a local resident has.

Some of the best coastal retirement towns include Torquay and Exeter but also hidden gems such as Sidmouth and Beer (the source of most of Britain's cathedral stone), which nevertheless remain lively even off-season. The county's northern coastline is the cheaper of the two, with house prices around the £300,000 mark.

Experts at YourOverseasHome analysed the cost of living in six different European countries before comparing them to the UK. Having looked at destinations including Greece, Portugal, Spain, France and Germany, the company eventually named Italy as the cheapest place for Brits to move to.

Where is it cheapest for Brits to live abroad? ›

While 53-56% of Britons consider the UK to be similar to France and Germany, just 35-36% of French and German people feel the same. Likewise, while 42-44% of Britons believe the UK is similar to Spain and Italy, only 24-26% of Spaniards and Italians hold the same view.

New York State's land area is approximately 47,000 square miles. England's is 50,000. New York City and London have 8.8 million and 8.9 million inhabitants respectively. England is part of the island of Great Britain.

Instead of London: Boston, MA

While Boston fought hard to separate itself from British rule in the 18th century, the city undeniably reflects the charm and culture of London.

The average rent per month for a one-bedroom flat in the UK is £700. In the USA it is $1,169, which works out to around £940 per month, making the UK a clear winner here.

Spain. Spain came in top place as the destination that Brits want to spend their retirement in. For those seeking longer days, more sunshine and generally a better cost of living situation, the country ticks all the boxes.

Related Articles. It was revealed that Italy was the cheapest place for Brits to move to, followed by Greece, Portugal, Spain, France and Germany.

According to a Wise article, New York City is home to the largest number of British expats, with approximately 20% of the total British expat population in the US. This vibrant city offers diverse career opportunities and an energetic lifestyle that appeals to many Brits.