More and more people are about to retire abroad in search of a different lifestyle and a lower cost of living. And although there are no official retirement visa programs in the US, dozens of other countries around the world do so.
This year, Global Citizen Solutions published Global Retirement Report 2025, ranking 44 passive income and retirement visa programs.
This report examined 20 target metrics grouped into six subindexes: procedure, citizenship and mobility, economics, tax optimization, quality of life, safety and integration. Countries were given a score out of 100.
Although the US did not create a list, the report found that many of the top 10 countries are in America and Europe.
“The United States dominates digital nomadic retirement visas and availability in Europe. They have a very high quality of life above average,” says Dr. Laura Madrid Saltolett, research leader at GCS’s Global Intelligence Unit, CNBC tells Make.
“That’s not a coincidence, because one of the motivations people have when they decide to move abroad is because they are looking for a place with high quality of life.”
Of some of the retirees, among the other factors that they consider when planning to move abroad, Madrid Saltolett said, “We are looking for a politically stable and safe place when we want to retire abroad. Another relevant aspect of Europe is health care.
Portugal is the number one country to retire overseas in 2025.
Overall score: 92.61
Portugal was ranked as the best country to retire overseas. European countries provide D7 visas to non-EU citizens. This allows people with stable passive income, such as pensions and rental income, to retire.
Dr. Madrid Saltolett says Portugal’s retirement visa program has been the flagship for the past decade.
“The country has begun investing in attracting investors, retirees and digital nomads. Portugal is a country that has a very good quality of life today,” she says. “Portugal is the safest country in Europe when looking at the World Peace Index. It is one of the most popular countries in Europe.
To apply for that visa, you will need a minimum income requirement of 870 euros. You are eligible to apply for permanent residence or citizenship after you have lived in Portugal for at least five years.
The Portuguese government offers a global tax system. That is, it includes foreign income. Portugal also has no wealth and inheritance tax for close families. There is a 10% stamp duty applied to others.
Portugal
Gabriel Mello | Moment | Getty Images
Portugal is also known for its Golden Visa Program. This allows non-EU citizens to acquire national citizenship or residence through investments that do not include real estate.
According to Forbes, the Portuguese government has seen a 72% increase in Golden Visa approvals, with Americans making up the majority. Portugal’s Golden Visa Program has raised over $7.2 billion since it was created in 2012.
10 countries to retire overseas in 2025
Located in Africa, Mauritius was ranked as the best country to retire overseas with a score of 89.24.
“Mauritius has a very reliable procedure. It’s one of the countries that is fast, transparent and have the best option for tax optimization. Those who don’t want to take financial risk when moving abroad with pensions, choose a country like Mauritius because there is no global tax system,” says Madrid Saltolett.
“We also have one of the highest quality of life standards in our rankings.”
Mauritius
Roberto Moiola / sysaworld |Moment | Getty Images
Mauritius offers non-citizens who have retired for ages 50 and above with a ten-year residence permit. You will need a monthly salary of $2,000 or $24,000 a year. After the 10-year period has expired, you are eligible to renew your residence permit for another 10 years.
African countries provide major applicants with the opportunity to include a spouse or legal partner and dependent in their applications. Mauritius also has a territorial tax system. That is, foreign income is not included. Additionally, there are no taxes levied on foreign-made income or wealth and inheritance tax.
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