Best Countries For Retiring Americans to Move to in 2025

If you’re considering retiring abroad you’re not alone! Spending the golden years overseas is a dream for many Americans. Retiring in another country is a great way to make the most of your money, get better healthcare, and keep living life to the fullest. 

But with so many countries to choose from, where should you go? We’ve compiled the data on American expats in 2025, and we'll guide you through what makes Portugal, Costa Rica, New Zealand, and France the best countries for retiring Americans.

 

Portugal 

While it may not be just across the border, Portugal is at the top of the list for Americans retiring internationally. This small slice of coastal heaven attracts expats from all over for its high quality of life, economic growth, and political stability. While the number of U.S. expats has increased over the last few years, Americans still only make up 1% of Portugal’s immigrant population.

Portugal is known for its warm locals, sun-drenched beaches, as well as vibrant food and wine. If the laid-back lifestyle isn't enough to convince people to migrate over, the country's many tax benefits for expats might do the trick. 

Visa Options

Portugal has 2 primary visas for retiring expats. The D7 visa is specifically for retirees, requiring proof of passive or retirement-related income and offering access to Portuguese public services and easy travel to EU countries. The golden visa gives expats similar benefits as the D7 visa, in exchange for at least a 250,000 Euro investment (around $300,000). Both residency options offer citizenship to Americans after five years.

Cost of Living & Healthcare 

The cost of living in Portugal is one of the lowest in Western Europe, and expats are typically satisfied with their personal finances while living here. On average, monthly expenses for one person cost $800. Rent for a one-bedroom apartment costs from $860 to $1,100 per month. Buying a property in Portugal is more affordable than in the U.S., though you’ll often get less square footage than back home. 

Whether you opt for public or private, Portuguese healthcare is very affordable relative to the U.S. That being said, expats complain about a lack of availability with public healthcare. 

Drawbacks

Portugal hasn't quite caught up to the rest of the modern world in terms of contactless payment, so you'll need to carry cash on hand. Some people find this problematic since theft is still an issue among tourists and expats in Portugal. Another drawback of living in Portugal is the slow bureaucracy, which can be a challenge when applying for residency. 

Lastly, you’ll want to consider Portugal’s language barrier. English is widely spoken in Portugal, so many expats get by without learning the language. However, if you’re interested in learning Portuguese, it’s notoriously difficult to learn. 

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is another popular relocation country, and it’s actively seeking American retirees. The Central American nation is notorious for its stunning tropical environment and easy-going ‘pura vida’ lifestyle. It also ranks highly for safety, affordability, and overall quality of life.

Visa Options

As previously mentioned, Costa Rica has a unique visa for foreign retirees; the Pensionado program provides residency, low taxes, and access to universal healthcare. This unique visa option aims to boost the local economy, and requires a stable retirement income of at least $1,000 per month.

Costa Rica’s rentista and inversionista programs are also viable visa options. If you’re looking to invest in real estate, the inversionista visa is for you. The rentista program is for those who aren’t fully retired yet, but don’t plan to work while living in Costa Rica. After 3 years, each of these three visas allows expats to apply for permanent residency. 

Cost of Living & Healthcare

The cost of living in Costa Rica is nearly 40% lower than in the States. Monthly expenses for a single person hover around $900, while rent for a one-bedroom costs between $540 and $800. If you want to buy a home, property is also significantly cheaper than in the U.S.

Costa Rica’s highly ranked universal healthcare system appeals to many retirees. There are affordable public and private health insurance plans available to expats.

Drawbacks

Costa Rica doesn’t have many cons for American expats. The language barrier is a concern for some, but most English speakers find it manageable whether or not they choose to learn Spanish. Local English proficiency depends largely on what region of Costa Rica you’re in. Additionally, the bureaucracy can be slow and frustrating to deal with. 

New Zealand

Down in the Southern Hemisphere, New Zealand is an idyllic place to retire. The island nation is known for its temperate seasons, native Maori culture, and unique wine scene. If you love the great outdoors, New Zealand provides breathtaking views and world-class hiking, skiing, and watersports. 

Americans have an easy time settling in with N.Z.’s welcoming people and modern way of life. Moreover, New Zealand is one of the safest countries in the world, coming in at number 3 on the Global Peace Index. 

Visa Options

Besides family connections, there are 3 main options for retiring Americans to gain residency in New Zealand. The temporary retirement visitor visa is for people 66+, and allows you to stay in the country for up to 2 years. If you’re under 56 and open to working for a few more years before retirement, New Zealand has various worker visas available. Finally, if you have the means to make a large investment, there’s an investor visa with a minimum investment of NZ $5 million, which is around $3 million USD. 

Cost of Living & Healthcare

New Zealand’s overall cost of living is 22% lower than in the U.S., but residents still report dissatisfaction with their finances. Monthly expenses will set you back around $1,030 USD. Rent for a one-bedroom ranges from $930-1,100, while buying is more expensive than in the States. 

New Zealand provides quality universal healthcare for residents, which costs around $25-$125 monthly. In terms of taxes, the U.S. and New Zealand have a double taxation agreement, ensuring you won’t have to pay taxes twice on the same income. 

Drawbacks

We’ve touched on two of the main drawbacks of retiring in New Zealand: limited visa options for retirees and expats’ concerns about their finances. For Americans hoping to visit home often,  New Zealand’s distance from the U.S. is a major downside. Flights between the two countries are 13-17 hours one way, and they’ll set you back anywhere from $800-$2,000 round trip. 

France

Known for its rich culture, history, and world-class food and wine, France is a highly ranked retirement destination. The charming European nation has many American expats, with some estimates placing the number above 100,000. France boasts a high quality of life, easy travel around Europe, and a wide variety of climates.

Visa Options

There are no designated ‘golden visa’ or retirement visa options in France. A Long-stay visa (visa de long séjour) works well for American retirees as it’s relatively easy to acquire and allows you to travel freely around the Schengen area of Europe. After 3 months on the long-stay visa you can sign up for French universal healthcare, but you’ll need proof of health insurance prior to that.

Cost of Living & Healthcare 

France’s cost of living is fairly comparable to the United States, though rent in France is typically cheaper. Rent for a one-bedroom costs between $700 and $900, while monthly expenses for one person are about $1,100. The price to buy a home in France varies greatly depending on what region you’re in. 

France’s healthcare is renowned for its high quality, reasonable costs, and comprehensive coverage.

Drawbacks

Despite the high quality of life and community-oriented culture in France, Americans sometimes find the French unwelcoming. Making local friends can be challenging, especially if you don’t speak French. Even outside of making friends, you’ll need to learn the language to live comfortably in France. Aside from differences in attitude and language, expats find French bureaucracy can be overly slow.

Final Thoughts 

Whether you're seeking a change in pace, lower taxes, or easier access to travel, retirement is the perfect opportunity to live abroad. Choosing where to relocate is a big decision, but Portugal, Costa Rica, New Zealand, and France stand out as the top destinations for American retirees.

If you’re ready to take on international retirement in 2025, U-Haul International Moves offers hassle-free shipping solutions. With U-Haul International Moves, you pack your own U-Box containers and U-Haul handles the rest, providing storage options and delivery right to your new home.