- Spain was rated as the top country for international retirees in a new report due to its low cost of living and good health care. It also received a 10/10 rating for its travel connectivity.
- France came in second place, and the report highlighted that regions such as Normandy Brittany and Dordogne offer excellent value.
Retirement is a time for new experiences and opportunities to live in a different country. But before you pack a suitcase and heading into retirement A new ranking revealed which countries are best suited to retirees.
Hoxton Wealth, a global financial consulting firm, recently released its findings for 2025. Worldwide Retirement & Emigration Destinations Report focuses on cost of life, taxation and health care quality. Although the ranking was designed for U.K.-based clients, quality of living themes are relevant for any retiree considering a new home.
Spain is the best choice for retirement abroad due to its low cost of living and high quality health care. Hoxton Wealth classified the Iberian Peninsula as “extremely desirable for pensioners with moderate to high retirement income.” The company stated that Spain’s Mediterranean climate with its sun and dry weather, as well as its relaxed lifestyle, is perfect for seniors.
Spain’s low criminality and high safety stats were also taken into consideration. The country scored a perfect 10/10 in travel connectivity.
France ranked second in the world for seniors behind Spain. Regions such as Normandy Brittany and Dordogne offer excellent value. The firm advised against moving to Paris or the Côte d’Azur due to the high cost of living in these areas. France received perfect scores in all categories, including climate, lifestyle, travel connectivity and safety.
Portugal took third place in the rankings due to the availability of a D7 visa, which is aimed at retirees and remote workers with a passive income of at least €870 (approximately $1,015) per month. The report stated Portugal has one of the lowest cost of living in Western EuropeThe quality of the health care in this country is excellent and it’s widely available. Hoxton Wealth has also noted that visa processing times are slower due to the high demand in recent years, and bureaucracy is often opaque and inconsistent.
Australia, New Zealand and Canada round out the top five.
The full report is available on howxtonwealth.com.
