Nov 9, 2025
Retirement opens the door to a brand-new chapter — and for some, that means it’s the perfect time to switch up the scenery too.
A Harris Poll found that 26% of boomers and 35% of Gen Xers were considering moving abroad within the next two years. (1)
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It’s tough to say how many retirees will actually take the plunge, but the dream of moving abroad is clearly growing. Here’s why so many older Americans are imagining their golden years in another country.
Expat retiree’s wishlist
The top reasons many Americans cite for retiring abroad are the lower costs of living, lower crime rates, better political stability, cheaper health care services and potential tax savings, according to Global Citizen Solutions. (2)
A whopping 86% of Americans were seeking a lower cost of living while considering moving abroad, according to the Harris Poll. After all, the United States is the ninth-most expensive country to live in, according to Wise’s cost of living index. (3)
As for health care costs, the U.S. tops the list. Per capita health care costs in the country were $13,432, nearly 40% higher than Switzerland which ranks as the second-most expensive developed country for health care costs, according to Peterson-KFF. (4)
Between political tensions and rising crime, it’s no wonder some retirees are rethinking life in the U.S. Every year, more seniors head overseas — and according to Global Citizen Solutions, some destinations are becoming especially popular with this new wave of expats.
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Top destinations for American retirees
Global Citizen Solutions evaluates countries across key factors — including cost of living, safety, health care, taxation, and geopolitics — to identify the best destinations for Americans seeking to retire abroad.
According to this analysis, the top five destinations for expat retirees include Mexico, Uruguay, Costa Rica and Portugal. However, the top destination for retired American expats was Spain.
Spain scores a perfect 100 on the Global Citizen Solutions’ Retirement Index. Not only is Spain relatively warm and beautiful, it’s also affordable for American expats. The report finds that on average monthly expenses can range from $2,000 to $2,500.
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Spain ranks 39 for cost of living on Wise’s index and 23 on the Global Peace Index for overall safety.
Perhaps one of the most appealing aspects of retiring in Spain is the country’s well-funded and affordable health care system.
The country spends roughly 9.1% of its gross domestic product to fund its universal healthcare system, according to Global Citizen Solutions, and a typical visit to the doctor can cost $10 to $20 out-of-pocket.
Fortunately, the Spanish government has eased the process for those looking to retire here. Spain’s Non-Lucrative Visa is targeted at seniors who rely on passive income and pensions.
To obtain the visa, you need to provide proof that your monthly cash flow exceeds a certain threshold and that you can cover health insurance and your accommodation expenses independently.
Simply put, if you’re financially secure and ready to trade the American hustle for a slower pace, a chic apartment in Madrid or a sunny coastal spot in Barcelona might be closer to reality than you think.
Article sources
*We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines. * Harris Poll (1); Global Citizen Solutions (2); Wise (3); Health System Tracker (4)
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Vishesh Raisinghani is a financial journalist covering personal finance, investing and the global economy. He's also the founder of Sharpe Ascension Inc., a content marketing agency focused on investment firms. His work has appeared in Moneywise, Yahoo Finance!, Motley Fool, Seeking Alpha, Mergers & Acquisitions Magazine and Piggybank.
