Countries offering retirement visas

[ShokWaveRider]

Yet doesn't Malta aggressively offer Golden Visas and also digital nomad visas?

Fuel and electricity must be expensive though they get a lot of sun so solar should be widely used.

Where do they get potable water? Island must be too small for water sheds, reservoirs. No snowpack either.

I do not know about aggressive, mine cost me $178 and was pretty seamless. I would never have got it, but the UK went nuts with Brexit.

 

[oiseux]

This thread has 20 pages now so it's possible the link I'm posting is buried somewhere in the middle but for whoever is interested:

https://www.businessinsider.com/cou...ident-status-golden-visa-list-portugal-2022-8

Note their Thailand section is out of date. The new visas are lower cost.

I think these articles do a disservice to some because they don't note that many have other visas available at much lower costs, with different conditions

 

[HenryD]

Note their Thailand section is out of date. The new visas are lower cost.

I think these articles do a disservice to some because they don't note that many have other visas available at much lower costs, with different conditions

The article does not even mention Costa Rica. They have for years offered income and investment visas - minimum $1500 income or $250k invested (house, business, etc.). They are rolling out a new digital nomad visa which in typical CR fashion has taken years to be implemented. The required SS/medicare-style tax (CAJA) has recently increased significantly for new permanent residents.

 

[explanade]

NY Times with article about how more Americans than ever are moving to Europe, in particular the poorer but nicer weather places in Southern Europe, such as Portugal, Spain and Greece, all of which have Digital Nomad and Golden Visa schemes.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...rcelona.html&usg=AOvVaw28dkcmgP94lqHez8Vtus5h


Seems like the Golden Visa requirements are higher than they were before the pandemic, with Spain for instance requiring a real estate purchase of €500k or more.


So not necessarily a LBYM move, depending on what kind of home you buy there.

But the price would still be a fraction of what you'd pay in the US, especially homes near the coast or on the coast.

For retired people, Golden Visa would be the main option, though many EU countries also offer retirement visas as well. But it sounds like buying in with the GV would be faster process.

The question is taxes. Most retirees have retirement income as well retirement savings, from which they may generate income.

I know there's an exclusion amount, was it like $85k or something like that? But American retirees wouldn't be earning income in Europe, it would be all US income.

There must certainly be foreign taxes they'd be subject to, obviously property taxes and VAT. Any kind of income tax liability above and beyond what they pay to the IRS would be the big concern.

The other big issue for retirees is health care. Medicare doesn't cover people outside the US so ideally, if you invest at least hundreds of thousands of Euros, you'd want at least a path to get into the health care system over in these countries.

That would also involve some kind of taxes and/or insurance premiums and other costs.

Seems it would be much easier if you're still young and working. You can get coverage through employer or possibly just go without coverage or care for a few years.

 

[Alan]

The question is taxes. Most retirees have retirement income as well retirement savings, from which they may generate income.

I know there's an exclusion amount, was it like $85k or something like that? But American retirees wouldn't be earning income in Europe, it would be all US income.

There must certainly be foreign taxes they'd be subject to, obviously property taxes and VAT. Any kind of income tax liability above and beyond what they pay to the IRS would be the big concern.

The other big issue for retirees is health care. Medicare doesn't cover people outside the US so ideally, if you invest at least hundreds of thousands of Euros, you'd want at least a path to get into the health care system over in these countries.

That would also involve some kind of taxes and/or insurance premiums and other costs.

Seems it would be much easier if you're still young and working. You can get coverage through employer or possibly just go without coverage or care for a few years.

Yes, taxes is a big issue.

As a USC you will be subject to taxes on your worldwide income regardless of where you live. The exclusion you refer to only applies to earned foreign income. Most/all European countries will have a double taxation treaty in place with the USA and the primary taxing authority will almost certainly be the country you are living in. For all the income that is taxed by both countries then you will claim foreign tax credits when filing your IRS return using forms 1116. There is a box on form 1116 called “Resourced by Treaty” to be used when a foreign tax credit is applied to US income that has been taxed by a foreign country. This is a simplified overview and actual situations can be much more complicated. e.g. if you have a Roth, will distributions be tax free in the foreign country?

Health coverage shouldn’t be a problem. You should be able to either buy private health insurance, or the equivalent of a “Green Card” will include public healthcare in the country of residence.

 

[explanade]

Yes, taxes is a big issue.

As a USC you will be subject to taxes on your worldwide income regardless of where you live. The exclusion you refer to only applies to earned foreign income. Most/all European countries will have a double taxation treaty in place with the USA and the primary taxing authority will almost certainly be the country you are living in. For all the income that is taxed by both countries then you will claim foreign tax credits when filing your IRS return using forms 1116. There is a box on form 1116 called “Resourced by Treaty” to be used when a foreign tax credit is applied to US income that has been taxed by a foreign country. This is a simplified overview and actual situations can be much more complicated. e.g. if you have a Roth, will distributions be tax free in the foreign country?

Health coverage shouldn’t be a problem. You should be able to either buy private health insurance, or the equivalent of a “Green Card” will include public healthcare in the country of residence.

So that NY Times article references Golden Visa buyers being exempt from certain taxes in Portugal, another thing which the locals complain about.

Yeah I already have a certain amount of foreign taxes paid by various funds in my portfolio so I guess it would lower my US tax bill somewhat, as I pay more foreign taxes.

 

[braumeister]

Recent reports show those Golden Visas going away. The EU doesn't like them. Here is just one report; you can find many online:

Why Did Portugal Terminate Its Golden Visa

Other countries with similar program are also under pressure to eliminate them.

 

[Alan]

So that NY Times article references Golden Visa buyers being exempt from certain taxes in Portugal, another thing which the locals complain about.

Yeah I already have a certain amount of foreign taxes paid by various funds in my portfolio so I guess it would lower my US tax bill somewhat, as I pay more foreign taxes.

The article is behind a paywall for me but for sure the tax treaties will vary from country to country and tax breaks to attract immigrants will also vary.

Most double taxation treaties ensure that you don’t pay too much extra tax so you will pay the higher of the country’s tax obligations.

 

[Alan]

Recent reports show those Golden Visas going away. The EU doesn't like them. Here is just one report; you can find many online:

Why Did Portugal Terminate Its Golden Visa

Other countries with similar program are also under pressure to eliminate them.

The UK also terminated its Golden Visa program in recent years.

If you already have one, it can still be extended.

https://www.gov.uk/tier-1-investor

If you already have this visa (or had one in the last 12 months and it was your most recent visa), you can still apply:

to settle in the UK (indefinite leave to remain)
to extend your visa for 2 years
for family members to join you

 

[explanade]

New year, yet another article about where Americans might move to.

This one isn't as much for retirement visas though because it alludes to various ways to get work visas of some kind.

https://www.cnn.com/travel/best-countries-for-american-expats-2025/index.html

 

[donheff]

Here is Perplexity AIs nanosecond answer. Perplexity is very good but can still make mistakes so do your own confirmations.

Many countries offer retirement visas that Americans can qualify for, providing opportunities for retirees to enjoy their golden years abroad. Here's a list of countries with notable retirement visa programs:

## North and Central America

- Mexico
- Panama
- Costa Rica
- Belize
- Nicaragua

## South America

- Ecuador
- Argentina
- Brazil
- Chile
- Colombia
- Uruguay

## Europe

- Portugal
- Spain
- Greece
- France
- Italy
- Ireland
- Malta

## Asia and Oceania

- Thailand
- Malaysia
- Philippines
- Indonesia
- Cambodia
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Fiji

## Africa and Middle East

- Mauritius
- South Africa
- Dubai (United Arab Emirates)

These countries offer various retirement visa programs with different requirements[1][3][4]. Generally, applicants need to meet certain age criteria, provide proof of sufficient income or pension, and sometimes show evidence of health insurance coverage[1][5].

It's important to note that while the United States is a popular retirement destination, it does not offer a specific retirement visa for foreigners[5]. Americans looking to retire abroad should carefully research the specific requirements and benefits of each country's retirement visa program before making a decision.

Citations:
[1] Want To Retire in Another Country? Here's What To Know About Retirement Visas
[2] US Retirement Through the B2, E2 and EB5 Green Card Options
[3] Top 13 Tax-Free Retirement Countries for Americans Abroad
[4] Secure Your Future Abroad: The Best Retirement Visa Programs
[5] Visa Options for Retiring in the United States: A Complete Guide
[6] Countries with Retirement Visas 2025 >> 32 Awesome Options
[7] A Complete Guide to Countries with Retirement Visas| AXA Travel Insurance - neo-travel-b2c-usa - AXA Partners
[8] https://money.usnews.com/money/retirement/aging/articles/countries-that-offer-retirement-visas

 

[explanade]

The UK also terminated its Golden Visa program in recent years.

If you already have one, it can still be extended.

Investor visa (Tier 1)

Given the state of UK's economic and fiscal situation, maybe they will re-open the program..

Though UK never had problems selling real estate to foreign investors, at least in London.

 

[Alan]

Given the state of UK's economic and fiscal situation, maybe they will re-open the program..

Our daughter’s partner moved here last year using the Global Talent visa. (He is a leader in the e-games business ). His plans are to achieve UK citizenship and retire here in about 5 years. Our daughter plans to retire from the e-games business next summer. She hasn’t decided whether to fully retire even though she has the means to do so, but she wants out of e-games design and development.

Apply for the Global Talent visa

Apply for a Global Talent visa to work in the arts, sciences or digital technology once you have been endorsed as a leader or potential leader.

www.gov.uk

You can usually only apply for a Global Talent visa if you have successfully applied for an endorsement to prove that you are a leader or potential leader.

 

[projectmaximus]

Our daughter’s partner moved here last year using the Global Talent visa. (He is a leader in the e-games business ). His plans are to achieve UK citizenship and retire here in about 5 years. Our daughter plans to retire from the e-games business next summer. She hasn’t decided whether to fully retire even though she has the means to do so, but she wants out of e-games design and development.

Apply for the Global Talent visa

Apply for a Global Talent visa to work in the arts, sciences or digital technology once you have been endorsed as a leader or potential leader.

www.gov.uk

I thought they were planning to retire to Australia? Curious what changed.

I've never visited yet but it's pretty high on my list of potential "retirement" destinations (ie, approx 10-15 years from now). Main dilemma is they currently don't offer any visas for true retirees, and their investment visa is a pretty high hurdle. So if I truly do want it, I may need to sort out something while I'm still more active in work/business. Or hope they reopen some avenues in the next decade.

 

[Alan]

I thought they were planning to retire to Australia? Curious what changed.

I've never visited yet but it's pretty high on my list of potential "retirement" destinations (ie, approx 10-15 years from now). Main dilemma is they currently don't offer any visas for true retirees, and their investment visa is a pretty high hurdle. So if I truly do want it, I may need to sort out something while I'm still more active in work/business. Or hope they reopen some avenues in the next decade.

Nothing has changed. They still plan to retire in 5 to 7 years and retire to Australia while still retaining a house here and split their time between the 2 countries.