The Best Global Retirement Havens for Americans in 2026

Anyone who has ever seen "House Hunters International" has probably found themselves daydreaming about selling everything they own and moving abroad to retire in a postcard-perfect place where every day feels like a vacation.

But for those actually making that dream a reality, figuring out where to move can be a daunting task.

To make that decision easier, International Living's 2026 Annual Global Retirement Index has announced its top 10 places to retire.

They scored destinations across multiple categories, including climate, health care, cost of living, housing, visas, and more. 

"The cost of living in the US continues to rise, whether it's groceries, health care, entertainment, or especially housing," says Joel Berner, senior economist at Realtor.com®. "For retirees living on a fixed income, living in a place with favorable weather in the States can be a major challenge."

Berner says that buying a home comes with a litany of expenses, "and with home prices remaining high in the wake of the pandemic era buying frenzy and mortgage rates hovering above 6%, it doesn't seem like relief is coming soon here in the US," he explains. "Retiring abroad offers a chance for limited resources to go further, and makes owning a home to retire in more attainable for many."

Residency requirements vary, so do your due diligence before making the move to the top 10 retirement destinations below.

1. Greece

"The main attraction for Americans in Greece are the islands and outskirts which are less inflated and populated, offering a Mediterranean lifestyle for retirees with amazing food and weather," Reza Motalebpour, whose real estate firm, INGWE Immigration, helps clients in overseas real estate investments, tells Realtor.com. "The major inflow of Americans are to Crete, Corfu, Rhodes, and the mainland cities of Thessaloniki."

International Living's Leena Horner has lived in Corfu, Greece for four years. She loves the fact that Greece gets more than 300 days of sunshine a year.

She says she and her husband bought their house for about $290,000 in 2022, and their monthly expenses are about a third of what they were in Boulder, CO.

For instance, they pay $295 per month total for private health insurance that covers both of them.

And the scenery is second to none, with endless opportunities to enjoy island life amid beautiful vistas.

2. Panama

Jackie Lange, 70, moved to Boquette, Panama from Dallas in 2010.

This former real estate investor tells Realtor.com, "I wanted to live somewhere that I would never need an air conditioner or a heater again. The lower cost of living in Panama is a big plus. Affordable healthcare was a big factor, too—it's only $15 to see a doctor here without insurance."

When she moved to the mountains of Panama, she rented a furnished two-bedroom house for $600. "But after two years, I purchased the same house on a 2-acre coffee farm for $125,000," she says.

She says her living expenses are just $1,200 a month, which is 60% less than they were in the United States.

3. Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s mild coastal weather and affordable living expenses make it a popular destination for retirees.

Dennis J. Easters, broker and co-owner of PLD Atenas Realty, in Atenas, Costa Rica, tells Realtor.com, "Americans make up a significant portion of our client base, particularly retirees and pre-retirees. Many begin with lifestyle research and travel, then transition into permanent or part-time residency once they experience Costa Rica firsthand."

Easters, who is originally from Florida, has lived in Costa Rica for more than 20 years.

"It offers a rare combination of political stability, strong property rights for foreigners, excellent health care, and a lifestyle centered on wellness and balance," he says.

"Add to that a mild year-round climate, rich biodiversity, and a culture that genuinely values quality of life, and it becomes very compelling for retirees seeking both comfort and adventure."

4. Portugal

Many Americans choose to retire in Portugal for its affordable cost of living, mild climate, friendly communities, and high quality of life.

Elizabeth Burke of Washington, DC, recently told Realtor.com she has been visiting Portugal annually since 2016 and plans to retire there within the next five years or so.

"No matter where you go in Portugal, there's a sense of calm," she says. "You land in Faro, and you feel like you can breathe. There's a feeling in the air of happiness and peace."

5. Mexico

International Living writer Bel Woodhouse has lived in Cozumel for nine years, and boasts about its "welcoming culture, vibrant color, warm people, amazing food, and stunning architecture."

Woodhouse says that Mexico’s low cost of living is a major benefit—she manages on $1,200 a month, with $500 going toward her one-bedroom apartment that's just two blocks from the water.

She says most expats skip private health insurance and pay out-of-pocket, but it costs an affordable $1,500 to $4,000 per year.

You'll also find American favorites like Costco, Walmart, and Starbucks in Mexico, which can make retirees feel even more at home.

6. Italy

Countless Americans are drawn to retire in Italy because of its rich history, scenic landscapes, and world-renowned cuisine, offering a relaxed and culturally immersive lifestyle.

The lower cost of living is a bonus, too.

International Living's Cindy Sheahan lives in Palermo, where she pays $925 a month to rent a one-bedroom, 1,200-square-foot apartment with three balconies, soaring 14-foot ceilings, terrazzo flooring, a huge kitchen, and floods of natural light.

7. France

Sisters Jennifer McGuire and Kat McAfee recently told Realtor.com that they moved from Beacon, NY, to retire in France. There, the pair live comfortably on a combined $44,000 annual income, which is far less than they would need in most areas of the U.S.

They bought a home in Dordogne, France, for approximately $88,000, and have no regrets.

"Where we live is the most beautiful place in the world," McGuire says. "It is clean, green, medieval, and sparsely populated. The area is called the Land of a Thousand Castles. We love castles. So what better place for us to live?"

8. Spain

Alastair Johnson, who's the owner of Moving to Spain, tells Realtor.com that about half of his clients are American retirees moving to Spain. "We’ve have helped hundreds of Americans start a new life here this year alone," he sais.

Johnson says Americans primarily move to Spain for the quality of life. "Spain’s culture, lifestyle, and food are famous for good reason," he says. "The place is slower; people take time to chat with friends or stop for coffee. And especially for retirees, older generations are still fully participating in society here in Spain."

He says most things cost less in Spain—including health care, which is a big draw for expats who are getting priced out of the States. "There is also easy access to high-quality English-speaking doctors in most areas with expat retirees," Johnson says.

9. Thailand

Many Americans choose to retire in Thailand because of its affordable cost of living, warm climate, and welcoming culture.

Barton Walters, of International Living, notes that a single retiree with a $1,200 monthly budget in Thailand can afford a $300 studio in Chiang Mai, enjoy Thai meals for around $10 a day, and still have extra cash for a few $2 beers during happy hour.

Aaron Henry, owner of Bangkok marketing firm Foundeast.com—who relocated to Bangkok from Los Angeles 10 years ago—tells Realtor.com, "Thailand is a very social country in which it's easy to make connections. And the elderly publicly receive consideration and respect."

10. Malaysia

Americans often retire in Malaysia because of its balmy temperatures, modern health care, vibrant cultural scene, and low cost of living.

"Malaysia is increasingly popular with retirees who want stability without the price tag of traditional ‘retirement hubs,'" says Jeremy Savory, founder of global wealth-management group Millionaire Migrant.

International Living's Keith Hockton writes that "when I tell people back home what I spend to live here, they don’t believe me."

He pays just $900 a month for a four-bedroom apartment, and says his monthly expenses total $2,200—which covers plenty of restaurant meals, wine, and weekend trips.

Hockton writes, "Here, time feels slower in the best possible way."