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After decades of hard work, your retirement should be the time you can live with maximum freedom, enjoying life to its fullest. Are you considering relocating to a new country to live out your next chapter?
There are many places to choose from and many variables to consider. Between healthcare, quality of life, safety, and other factors, there’s one way to shorten your list for convenience purposes. How? By considering countries that offer retirement visas. Although there are some eligibility requirements relevant to each country, a retirement visa can make the process so much easier.
Curious to know which countries offer retirement visas? Click through the gallery.
There are a number of factors to consider when planning your big move. Things like safety, quality of life, and culture should be on your list.
In this gallery, we share several countries with retirement visa options, providing some information for your consideration. Is one of your dream destinations on the list?
Portugal offers the passive income visa (also known as the D7 visa), a popular option for many retirees seeking to make the move abroad.
Portuguese authorities require that you have a steady income of €860 (approximately US$930) per month, which is the nation’s minimum wage as of 2025.
This minimum income can be calculated not just based on your pension, but any other type of passive income that you have, including rentals and investments.
What’s quite attractive about Portugal is that after five years of residency, you also qualify to apply for citizenship.
Portugal’s only neighbor, Spain, is another popular European destination for retirees through its Non-Lucrative Visa.
Although the quality of life is quite similar between the Iberian nations, one great variance is the minimum income to qualify for the visa, which is €2,150 (about US$2,330) per month.
If part of the appeal to move abroad is to acquire another citizenship, you’ll have to live in Spain for 10 years before applying and might have to give up your national passport.
Not looking for a long-term relocation plan? How about enjoying some years on one of Indonesia’s extraordinary beaches?
The Republic of Indonesia offers senior citizen visas that have a duration of one year and are renewable for a total of six years. But don’t fret, if you want to stay after a few years, you can apply for permanent residency.
To apply for Indonesia’s retirement visa scheme, you’ll need to demonstrate an income of US$1,500 per month. You’ll also need a series of insurances.
Thinking of another warm location? How about Thailand? The Kingdom of Thailand offers a Non-Immigrant “O-A” (Long Stay) Visa for retirees.
Similar to Indonesia’s program, visas are renewable on an annual basis for one-year periods, as long as they continue to fulfill the requirements.
Have you ever considered spending retirement exploring South America? Do the Andes mountains, the Amazon jungle, and the Galápagos Islands seem appealing to you?
Consider Ecuador as an option for a retirement adventure. Incredible nature, beautiful architecture, and delicious cuisine await your discovery.
In addition to an FBI background check, you’ll need to have an income of US$1,475 per month to qualify for Ecuador’s retirement visa.
If you choose to say, you can apply for permanent residency after just 21 months, as long as you don’t leave the country for more than 90 days within that period.
Another South American choice is Argentina. Is Patagonia on your bucket list? This is the perfect time to explore one of nature’s wonderlands.
Buenos Aires is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, attracting expats from around the globe due to its diversity and options.
The influence of European architecture continues to captivate visitors, so even if nature isn’t your thing, there’s plenty to explore. Why not consider a few tango lessons to really get into the spirit of the country’s rich culture?
To qualify for a retirement visa, you’ll need an income of US$1,390 per month. The cost of living in Argentina is significantly lower than the US and most European nations, making it an attractive option.
If you’re thinking of exploring Central America, why not start with Costa Rica? Live the ‘pura vida’ lifestyle in Central America’s safest country.
Costa Rica also has an incredible universal healthcare system, if that’s an important quality for you to consider. All legal residents have access to public hospitals and clinics.
Rainforests and dreamy beaches await your visit. The country’s beauty and safety has attracted a significant group of expats, so you’ll definitely have foreign company if you choose Costa Rica as your retirement destination.
Costa Rica's retirement visa requires that you have a minimum income of US$1,000 per month, another reason it’s so attractive to retirees. With a lower cost of living than the US and most European nations, you can have a high quality of life in the country.
Another Central American option is Panama. Although the cost of living isn’t as low as Costa Rica, it’s still lower than most of the US and most European nations, meaning you can have a good quality of life.
Panama’s retirement visa requires that you have a minimum income of US$1,000 per month to qualify, making it an attractive option for retirees.
Panama is one of the world’s top expat destinations. With affordable housing, modern infrastructure, and a pleasant climate, it’s worth your consideration.
Sources: (Visa Guide) (Digital Emigre) (Investopedia) (Market Watch) (AXA Travel Insurance)
See also: The best places to retire in 2025
Ready to retire abroad? These countries offer retirement visas
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After decades of hard work, your retirement should be the time you can live with maximum freedom, enjoying life to its fullest. Are you considering relocating to a new country to live out your next chapter?
There are many places to choose from and many variables to consider. Between healthcare, quality of life, safety, and other factors, there’s one way to shorten your list for convenience purposes. How? By considering countries that offer retirement visas. Although there are some eligibility requirements relevant to each country, a retirement visa can make the process so much easier.
Curious to know which countries offer retirement visas? Click through the gallery.