If you are looking for the best places to retire in the world, then
you're probably concerned with the country's climate cost of living, political stability,
safety, security, community, and so much more. And you're probably also
wondering where you can find all of these qualities all in one place. In this video, I'm sharing
with you the 10 best places to retire in the world and why, according to International Living's
Global Retirement Index. But I'm not going to sugarcoat things. I'll tell you the pros as well
as the cons, what you need to get residency there,
how the healthcare is, and if your pensions and social security income will be taxed. We'll save the best places for last and at the end of this video, I'll tell you which countries
should be on this list but aren't. In 10th place. We have Colombia nestled
between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean,
a land of natural beauty with a long history of
tradition and culture. What I love about Colombia
other than its natural beauty is that you have so much
diversity when it comes to choosing a place to live. Whether you want to check
out Cartagena or the San Blas Islands or head to Cali or the cities of Bogotá or Medellín, you have a lot of options and wherever you go in Colombia, you can expect a really
low cost of living at 60 to 80% less than the United States. Colombia also has a
great healthcare system, ranked number 22 in the world, and it's known for having a very friendly and welcoming local population
to foreigners and retirees. No place is perfect though,
and there are some safety and security concerns in Colombia. There can also be very heavy
rainfall at times of year, and it's known for having a
lot of bureaucratic red tape, but really, which government
doesn't have that. It can also be a challenge
if you don't speak Spanish, you can retire in Colombia
on Colombia's retirement or M Visa, and you can qualify for this visa with three times the monthly
minimum wage, so that comes out to around $800 or $900 per month. This visa is available for three years and it's also renewable and
it's fast to get approved. So those are some of the
benefits of retiring in Colombia. You will need a health certificate and a clean criminal record
to be able to qualify for this visa, but the good news is that there is an exemption
on foreign sourced pensions, although if you're not retiring there, but you are a tax resident in
Colombia, you could be subject to income tax on their progressive
scale from 0% to 39%. If you've ever envisioned
yourself living the beautiful life on the French Riviera or in the French countryside, then consider number nine on the list. France. You know, before I ever traveled to
France, I always assumed that it was very expensive, and while Paris does have some of the most expensive hotels
in the world, I was shocked by how reasonable the cost of living is there and how affordable food, hotels, rentals, and your daily expenses can be. I remember going on a
road trip with my friend through the French wine country of Saint-Émilion and our Airbnb over
there was less than $50 a night, and I can remember having a
multi-course lunch at a chateau with wine included for somewhere around 12 to 20 euro per person. In general, you can expect your cost of daily goods in France to be about 10% to 25% lower than they
are in the United States, and rent prices can be up to 50% lower than the US.
When it comes to healthcare, residents can pay anywhere
from 0 to 25% of the cost of the care, and according
to IL for a retired couple, it could cost you around
$1,800 per year. Like Colombia, one of the main benefits of retiring in France is really
the diversity of the places that you can choose from the
big cities, Paris, Lyon, Toulouse to smaller villages or the
beautiful French Riviera or the coastline. I think France is one of those countries that's really underrated
when it comes to nature because people often think
automatically of the cities, but you really have it
all from the mountains to the countryside to the beach. The food in France is incredible. I don't even think I need to say that, but if you haven't been
to a French grocery store before, it will change your life. Amazing. As a bonus,
if you live in France, you'll never run out of
chocolate croissants. But in all seriousness, it really does have a
very relaxed pace of life, even in the cities and Parisian suburbs and don't pay attention to the stereotypes about
the French being cold and unapproachable because it is an open society
if you learn to speak French and if you really have an
intention of integrating with the local culture
there, it is possible to find community. It might just take a little bit longer than in some other
countries on the downsides. Property in France, although
it can be quite affordable, can also be hard to come by and it can be expensive,
especially in the cities. If you live there year round,
depending on where you are, the winters can be long, dark and gray, and as I mentioned, it
is almost a requirement to learn to speak French. If you want to live there and
have any chance of integrating with your local community.
To retire in France, you'll first need a long stay visitor card and that's good for up to one year. After that, you would need to switch over to a French residence permit. Foreign pensions are taxed in France, although there is a tax
treaty between France and the US, so check if it's
the same with your country so that you can avoid double taxation Wherever you plan to live
or retire around the world. Learning the local language is a must. My life completely changed
when I learned Spanish 20 years ago, but I just got back
from a trip to Brazil and I was really frustrated
with my inability to communicate while I was there. So in preparation for my
upcoming trip to Portugal, I've been brushing up on my Portuguese by using Rosetta Stone. I really like how it uses
the combination of images with the audio and reading,
so if you are a visual learner or an auditory learner or if you learn by doing,
you're covered here, We did it. I really like that you can make a lot of progress in just 10 minutes per day and you can track your
progress in the app. You can start learning a language with Rosetta Stone at any age, and if you click the
link below this video, you can get 50% off a
lifetime subscription to all languages, so you can
learn as many as you want or you can come back to ones
that you want to learn better. Or if you need a refresher
on those, use the link below to get 50% off. Lifetime access right now and thanks to Rosetta Stone
for partnering on this video. From Sandy beaches to modern
cities, Malaysia has it all, and with the Malaysia my second home visa, you can stay in Malaysia
from five to 15 years with the option of getting
a residence permit. Malaysia is often thought
of as a close second to living in Singapore,
but for a much lower cost. Malaysia is an advanced country with a modern developed economy and a stable currency, especially compared to some other countries in the region. It also has more affordable
real estate than neighboring countries such as Thailand. It's very safe, it has great food, especially good street food and expats love it there so much that it was voted the number
four best country in the world for expats in 2023, and it also ranks number 20
on the global peace index. Healthcare is also very high
quality and very affordable. You can expect to pay around $50 for a doctor's appointment there and anywhere from three to
$7,000 for a knee replacement, for instance, on the downsize, although it does have a warm climate, it can also get very hot and humid and can have some problems
with poor air quality and with the Malaysia,
my second home program, you are required to invest in real estate. It's also not known as being the most open and progressive country when
it comes to equality, and although the cost of
living in Malaysia is low, you can buy lunch for just a few dollars. There are high taxes on alcohol, so your happy hour might
cost you a little bit more. The retirement visa you'll want
to look at is the Malaysia, my second home program. This was developed by the
Malaysian government in an attempt to attract foreigners to
live and retire there, and it was quite successful. They've just given it
an overhaul for 2024, and they've created three
different categories, silver, gold, and platinum. And depending on which
category you apply for, that determines how many years of residency you can get there. So it's anywhere from five to 15 years, but with the platinum tier, you can actually get permanent residency, and this is something
that was really difficult to come by before. There are some perks
that come with this visa. You can buy a house, you
can import or buy a car, and you can also apply for
a domestic helper there. If the idea of living a
Mediterranean lifestyle surrounded by sun, blue seas and ancient history appeals to you, then look no further than Greece. From the bustling streets of
Athens to the tranquil shores of the Greek islands,
Greece has become popular for digital nomads, retirees and foreign investors, not least because of its golden visa program, it's also the cheapest
country in Western Europe. I've always been fascinated
with Greece probably because of its ancient
history, amazing climate and delicious food, fresh
produce, fruits, nuts, cheeses. It's really the home of
the Mediterranean diet. One of the highlights of my travel life was definitely
visiting Olympia, the site of the original Olympic games and being able to walk across the field that ancient athletes played on. I also picked olives from olive trees and sailed through the Greek islands. It's just an amazing place and
friendly people, nice culture and affordable lifestyle, and it's also a great hub if
you want to explore the rest of Europe and the world. You can get really cheap flights
out of Athens, for example, round trip to Rome for only $63, but you've also got direct
flights to the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and beyond. There are some downsides of course, first and foremost, you have
the language barrier. If you don't speak Greek, there's also some economic
challenges in the country, some political instability, and also the infrastructure
can be inconsistent, including the healthcare. Greece doesn't have the best
healthcare system in the world. It's not the worst either. It ranks about 41, but you could get some inconsistent access to care depending on if you're
living in a very remote area or on a remote island, you
might need to travel to a place with more modern facilities. There can be some petty crime
in certain areas as well. Cities like Athens for me took a little
bit of getting used to. You've got some graffiti, petty theft, so there are some things to watch out for, but nothing much different
than in any country. To retire in Greece, you
have really two main options for your residence permit. You could either go with
the Greek Residence Permit, which requires 2000 euro
per month in income, or you can go with the Greek Golden Visa where you can invest
in real estate from 250 to 500,000 euro. The golden visa option
is nice if you think that you're going to be traveling around because there's no
minimum stay requirement and that gives you
permission to live in Greece for up to five years. Now, technically it is a
path to permanent residence and citizenship, although Greece has one of the lowest naturalization
rates around one or 2%, so it's not the
best country if you want to get another passport. And then if you go with the
residence permit option, then that is for one year, and
that's also renewable. For taxes you can expect a 7% flat tax there. And then also Greece has
international tax treaties with other countries, so you
can avoid that dual taxation Nestled in the heart of South America, Ecuador offers retirees a diverse and enriching experience with
its breathtaking landscapes, including the Amazon
Rainforest, the Andes Mountains, and the beautiful coastal regions. If you're looking for a country with a lot of natural beauty complimented
by its low cost of living, then Ecuador can make a
prime choice for you to relax and enjoy a peaceful lifestyle. Ecuador's friendly people and welcoming locals
make it easy for ex-pats to integrate into the community. Whether you're living in vibrant Quito or the tranquil streets of Cuenca, Ecuador is a solid choice for retirement because it has so much diversity and natural beauty within the country and also a much lower cost
of living compared to some neighboring popular countries
like Costa Rica or Panama. Ecuador has a really central
location between north and South America. It's close to the US. It has a dollarized economy and due to its position on
the equator, you don't have to worry about hurricanes. Property in Ecuador is
also quite affordable. You can rent an apartment or a house starting from a
few hundred dollars per month, or you can acquire a nice apartment or property in a place
like Salinas for a hundred or $200,000. Ecuador has quite a
modern healthcare system, although it does rank
82nd internationally, but the IESS government
system there could run you around $95 per month, although you can also pay out of pocket for doctor's appointments or surgeries or get private health
insurance. On the downsides there's definitely been
an uptick in violence and crime in recent years,
especially since the pandemic. Many people say that the country
is destabilized right now, and there's at the time of
filming this video an actual internal armed conflict going
on, which doesn't bode well for the country's reputation,
but a lot of the locals and local expats will say that this type of violence is very isolated and that it's not affecting
the country as a whole. If you're looking to retire in Ecuador, then check out the country's retirement or Jubilado visa that you can get starting
from age 65 and up. It's less than $500 to apply and you can apply from within Ecuador or your home country as long as you can prove a monthly income of $800, and there are a few other requirements. Fortunately, foreign pensions
from abroad are not taxed in Ecuador, but if you are
a tax resident there, otherwise you could be subject to income taxes on their
progressive scale from zero to 37%. Do you see yourself enjoying
a Mediterranean lifestyle, maybe a glass of Kava
or wine or Sangria at lunch and some siesta in the afternoon? If so, Spain welcomes you with its straightforward visa process provided you can support
yourself financially and not work while you're there. Spain was voted the number
two country in the world for expats to live, and it's also the second most
affordable country in Western Europe after Greece. Spain is one of those countries
that really appeals to a lot of people, whether you're
looking to retire there or not, it offers so much
from the amazing food and Tapas to the history and culture, but it's one of those
countries that really has a lot of variation when it
comes to where you want to live while staying within
Spain from the beaches of Costa del Sol to
the Pyrenees Mountains, to the Canary Islands, and of course the bigger
cities like Madrid and Barcelona, generally,
you can keep your cost of living pretty low around
$2,000 or $2000 euro per month, but if you are living in
the cities, then your cost of living will be significantly higher, especially when it comes
to your rent and housing because Spain is such
an attractive option. It attracts a lot of foreigners there. So with a lot of expats
there, you can get access to a really strong community, but if you move there, then I highly recommend learning Spanish because that will just help
you adapt that much better. And many people don't
speak English outside of the more touristy areas. Spain is also known for being quite an open society
when it comes to equality and equal rights, and it's also known for having really good public transportation. So you can zip around the country or the continent of Europe
pretty easily by bus or train. Spain also has one of the top rated healthcare
systems in the world. You can get private insurance there for less than $150 per month and with a $0 deductible. Just remember that if you're going to Spain on the Non-
Lucrative Retirement Visa, then you can't work or have any income producing
activities while you're there. So if you need to make extra
money, keep that in mind. Also, as I mentioned, housing can be quite
expensive in the urban areas, and if you're looking
to invest in a property, well then property taxes
are also quite high there. Although Spain has a beautiful culture, there are some things that
could take getting used to. First of all, the restaurants don't open until really late nine or 10:00 PM so if you're looking for those early bird dinner specials, Spain is probably not the place for that. Spain is also infamous for having quite a tough
bureaucratic system there, and the local foreigners like
to call it hashtag getting when things don't go their way. If you're looking to get a
driver's license in Spain, that test will be in Spanish. Another reason to learn the
language if you're looking to retire in Spain, then first check out the Non-
Lucrative Visa, which is good for one year, renewable for up to five, and then you can get permanent residency and ultimately citizenship there. You can also go the Golden Visa Route, but that will set you back at
least half a million euro up to one or 2 million depending
on the type of investment that you're making in the country. When it comes to taxes, your foreign pension could be partially or fully exempt from taxes there. It really depends, so make sure
to check with a tax advisor, but Spain is notorious for
its high income taxes from 19 to 47%, Frequently topping retirement
destinations lists. Panama is known for its
modern infrastructure, tropical climate, and
the famous Panama Canal. The country offers various
retiree benefits like discounts on entertainment, medicine and more. Plus its Pensionado program is one of the most retiree
friendly visas in the world. Panama, this is one of
those golden countries for retirement. It's sunny, it's warm,
it's a dollarized economy. It's close to North America and South America for that matter, and it's also in a good spot to be able to avoid those hurricanes
and tropical storms. It's safe, it's beautiful. You've got the beaches, you've
got the mountains of Boquete, and it is a very friendly
and welcoming culture. So that's why this country
is always ranking high as a great place to live
abroad or also to retire. Now, Panama City can be
expensive depending on the type of housing you have, but
you can pretty much expect to be able to live on
social security income in most parts of the country. There's not too many
downsides to living in Panama, which is probably why it
ranks so highly on many of these lists. One thing that comes to
mind though is the weather. So although it's a warm climate, it can also be very sweltering hot and humid, especially in Panama City. So if you wanna escape
the heat, then make sure to head to the mountains. Also, the language barrier,
cultural adaptation, these are gonna be
problems that you'll face wherever you go, so it's not
something that's very specific to Panama, but it is a very slow and relaxed pace of life,
which is good for some aspects of retirement, but can be
frustrating in other ways with that slow government bureaucracy and also mañana time where
mañana can mean anytime or it could mean never, or it
could mean actually tomorrow In Panama, you can get the Pensionado Visa with a thousand dollars in monthly income, but if you're not sure that
Panama is the right place for you, then it's one
of the few countries that has a really generous
tourist visa of 180 days. So you can go and stay in
the country for six months and test it out first. It's a great place to go if
your top priorities are living somewhere tax free and
having good healthcare. Panama is known for its very
modern healthcare system with many English speaking doctors, and also it doesn't tax foreign
income or foreign pensions With its pleasant climate, affordability and proximity to the United States. Mexico is a top choice for retirees. It was also voted the number
one country in the world for expats in 2023, and if you can prove
your financial stability, you can easily obtain a
temporary residency visa or get permanent residency. One of the things I love about Mexico besides the food is its amazing diversity, but also how much history it has. This is not a country
like many island nations where it's all about the beach. Although Mexico has
7,000 miles of coastline, it also has more UNESCO world
heritage sites than any other country in the Americas. So regardless of what you're looking for, it's likely you can find it in Mexico. Whether you want to go
surfing in Baja California, live in the cosmopolitan city or find a cooler mountain town with a strong expat community, such as a place like San Miguel de Allende. Mexico is also well located
if you're coming from the US or Canada, but it's a country
that embraces tourism, so it has generally good infrastructure and also a lot of direct
flights from Asia, Europe and beyond. When it comes to healthcare, Mexico is a medical tourism mecca. People, especially from the US and Canada, flock there
to get high quality, low cost treatment. It's a country where you can expect to find quite a few
English speaking doctors and it's really affordable
to pay out of pocket or to get private health insurance. One time when I was in Playa del Carmen,
I got really sick, but I was able to go to an
urgent care, get antibiotics, and I think the doctor's appointment and everything cost me
around $30 on the downsides. One of the things that I
don't like about Mexico is that you can't drink the water. No matter how many times
I've gone to Mexico, somehow I feel like I always
get sick from the water, but luckily, that's a really easy fix. You can just get one of those refillable bottles, put it in your kitchen. But on a more serious
note, Mexico does have that narrative in the media, especially as being a dangerous country. Although anecdotally, I
have never felt unsafe there or experienced any crime or known anyone who's been
a victim of a crime there. It can be quite isolated in in
certain areas of the country and even the US State Department, which is historically very
conservative when it comes to travel warnings. They only have active
advisories right now in six of the 32 Mexican states. So as with anywhere you go
in the world, use caution, but I wouldn't discount
Mexico just on the basis of safety and security. Another thing that I've seen a lot of foreigners complaining about
online are the noise levels in Mexico, depending
on where you're living, if you're in a place
with a high population, you know it's possible that
you could be kept up at night by barking dogs or woken up
in the morning by roosters or maybe hearing cars drive
by with speakers on the roofs. But that is just part of the culture, and that's something that's quite common throughout Latin America. And you can also find a smaller village or rural area to live in
without as much noise. Infrastructure is also a plus for Mexico. You could also get fiber optic
internet in a lot of places, although I have noticed that
it can cut out sometimes and the electricity can as well though it's getting
less frequent in recent years, probably not an issue if
you're going to retire there, probably more so if you're
going to be working remotely, but overall gets a thumbs up from me. Now, if you're looking
to retire in Mexico, then you'll wanna get the
Mexican Resident Card. However, you'll first need to apply for the Temporary Stay Visa,
which is renewable for up to four years. Now, in either case, you will
need to apply for this from outside of Mexico at an
embassy or consulate, and also you can't work on these visas and permits, so if you
wanna work, you'll need to get a separate work permit. One of the biggest requirements is proof of financial solvency, and the exact numbers vary depending on where you're applying from, but it's typically around
$300,000 in savings or investments and also showing $7,000 of income or pension in the last six months. Foreign pensions and social security benefits
are not taxed in Mexico, but if you are a foreigner moving there and you become a tax
resident, then you will need to file an annual tax return and you could owe taxes
on your worldwide income Known for its stunning
coastline, ancient history and affordable lifestyle,
Portugal has become a favorite for retirees in recent years. The country's sunny
beaches, historic towns and modern healthcare system often keep it among the top retirement and living abroad
destinations in the world. Portugal is full of diverse places to live from the buzzing capital of Lisbon to the relaxed beaches of the
silver coast or the Algarve. Portugal is also extremely safe, ranking high on the global peace index. It has good infrastructure,
roads, public transportation, and makes a close hub
to the rest of Europe. Portugal has the number 12
healthcare system in the world according to the World Health Organization and as a foreign resident
there you get access to both the public and private healthcare. You can also pay for a
private health insurance plan that shouldn't cost more
than around $150 per month, but Portugal was downgraded
on this list compared to last year due to its
increasing cost of living and also uncertainty over its tax visa and residency policies. So you might have remembered
when Portugal discontinued the real estate option of
its Golden Visa Program, which made a lot of people unhappy, but also probably needed to happen as it was likely responsible for a lot of the increase in housing prices. However, in 2023, Portugal's, NHR, Non Habitual Resident Tax Benefit was discontinued, and this gave
people a lot of tax credits and exemptions for up to 10
years on foreign earned income. So if you are already a resident there, you could be grandfathered
into this system by the end of 2023, but if you're looking
to retire in Portugal in 2024 and beyond, that is definitely something to keep in mind if you're
thinking of moving to Portugal. Some of the other downsides
to living in Portugal, other than the increasing housing costs, which have largely been
attributed to foreign investors and renters, that's a topic
for another day though, is that uh, some people mention that they don't like seeing
the abandoned buildings there. They don't like the graffiti and also the Portuguese bureaucracy can be quite frustrating to people. But one thing to keep in
mind when looking at the cons of these countries is that regardless of where you move in the world,
there will be pros and cons. There will be things that
you like and don't like, and it's really important
to know that when you move to a country, that country is
not going to change for you. It's probably not going to
change while you're there. So it's important to assess
both the pros and cons, but kind of find a balance
to what you are happy to live with and what is a deal breaker for you. One thing for me personally, although people rave about the weather and the climate in
Portugal, is that I found that the insulation isn't that good, at least in the places that I've stayed. So if it was cold outside, it felt colder inside my apartment. If it was hot outside,
it felt hotter inside. So make sure to get someplace
that has climate control, if that's important to you. Or like my Portuguese
friends say, if you're cold, just wear more clothing. Now since the real estate category of Portugal's Golden Visa was
discontinued, then hands down, the most popular option
to retire in Portugal is through the D-7 Visa. Now with this program, you'll need to have 760 euro in monthly income as well as health insurance, a
clean criminal record, and proof of accommodation. The good thing about this
option is that you can apply for permanent residency after five years, and it's also a path to citizenship, but this is the type of permit for you if you're planning on
actually living in Portugal, because you will need to be there for about six months per year to be able to maintain your residency status. As I mentioned, Portugal's
NHR benefit was discontinued in 2023, so it's unclear at the moment what the income tax
will be on your foreign pension moving forward. Now, there was a new system
called the Incentivized Tax Status Program that was proposed
with a 20% flat tax rate, but details on that are still pending. Either way, the NHR
program had to go according to Prime Minister Antonio
Costa who said that the program no longer made sense, and it was inflating the housing market, which has reached unsustainable prices. I think we can all agree on that. Costa Rica was international
living's top pick for a place to retire this year, and for good reason. Nestled in Central America, Costa Rica offers retirees a peaceful life amidst lush rainforests, scenic mountains, and beautiful beaches. The country's excellent
healthcare system, warm weather, reasonable cost of living, and retirement friendly policies
make it an excellent choice for retiring abroad,
especially if you're looking for a peaceful nature centric retirement. Costa Rica has a lot of
pros when you're looking for a retirement destination,
it's stunningly beautiful with beaches that look like postcards. We've got the most incredible sunsets, especially on the Pacific coast, and it's also a very friendly,
welcoming local population that is really embracing tourism as well as foreign residents
from around the world. If you're looking for year
round, spring-like weather, then consider Costa Rica's
Central Valley, which has some of the best climates in the
world in towns like Atenas. But then of course you
also have the beaches and coastal areas. One of the biggest benefits of going to Costa Rica though is its
proximity to the US and Canada. You've got direct flights to
many international airports, and you have two international
airports within the country, both San Jose and Liberia. Costa Rica also has a thriving
medical tourism industry. So if you're looking for affordable, high quality healthcare, then Costa Rica is the place
you can actually get access to the public healthcare
system if you're getting the Retiree or Pensionado Visa in Costa Rica, although private insurance
is also quite affordable, and I've never paid more than 50 or $60 for a dental cleaning or a regular doctor's appointment. I've also paid out of
pocket for hospital tests and lab work, you name it,
because it was actually easier and cheaper for me to just
pay for it than to even go through the process of
recovering that money through my insurance. So you've got good healthcare,
you've got a good location, and it's also an ecotourism
haven full of beautiful nature and wildlife and a relatively
affordable cost of living. You might also experience less
culture shock in Costa Rica. A lot of my Costa Rican friends
have said that they think that Costa Rica has really
adopted a lot of US culture, and you'll see a lot of
US chains down there. English is widely spoken
in many areas as well, and there's a lot of
international residents. So it's a place that you can
really feel like home without having as much culture shock
compared to if you move to Paraguay, Uruguay, or places where there aren't
as many foreign retirees. A downside to living in
Costa Rica is that it is one of the most expensive
countries in Latin America. So although it's possible to
keep your cost of living low, if you're living like a local, your cost of living can easily
creep up to two, three, $5,000 depending on where
you're living if you have a car and a few other factors. So depending on your lifestyle, it could get quite expensive there, and in some cases it
could cost you the same or more than your home country. Crime and violence also a
very big consideration there. Now, Costa Rica's known
as being the Switzerland of Central America for its
natural beauty, its peace. It doesn't have an army, but
crime has been a problem there, and it's a big issue right now. It has been for many years, but it seems to be on the uptick. I recently read some articles that people are buying
more security systems. People are feeling less safe, including local business owners
who are trying to find ways to protect themselves and feel like they can't necessarily rely on the police
force or the government. So this is something to keep in mind. Also, a lot of the crime
doesn't necessarily make it into the mainstream media. I talk about this in my
video on why expats leave Costa Rica, so you
definitely wanna watch that before moving to Costa Rica if you haven't seen that already. But in general, Costa
Rica is a beautiful place. It offers a really nice lifestyle, and it is an optimal place to retire, especially if you are from North America. If you're looking to retire in Costa Rica, then you can check out the
Pensionado, Rentista and Inversionista, and you can qualify
for this with as little as a thousand dollars in monthly income. There's no minimum age requirement, and it's valid for two years. Also, a path to permanent
residency and citizenship. After 10 years. Now, you will need to
pay monthly into the kaha or Social security and healthcare system. This can be 13 to 15% of your income. Now, there are a few
countries that landed just outside the top 10 on this
list, including Italy, Thailand, Malta, Uruguay, and Ireland. But there are also a lot of countries that I think should have made
it on this list but didn't. I'm thinking of places like
Argentina where you can qualify for their Pensionado Program with as little as $800 in monthly income. Or what about the Philippines where you can live there forever? With the SRRV Visa, there's
also Indonesia, Turkey Islands in the Caribbean,
as well as plenty of countries in Eastern Europe. So if you wanna know more about
other places you can retire, then check out these videos next.
