Find the best country to retire abroad — for you
Retire Abroad AI scores 100+ countries against 14 retirement criteria — cost of living, healthcare, visas, taxation, climate, safety, language, and more — weighted by what matters to you.
What the Retire Abroad AI does
- 100+ countries scored across 14 criteria from official sources (OECD, Numbeo, expat surveys)
- Personalized weighting — if healthcare matters more than climate, the scores reflect that
- Retiree visa requirements — D7 (Portugal), Pensionado (Panama), Non-Lucrative (Spain), and 30+ others
- Cost of living modeling at your target spending level — not just averages
- Tax treaty analysis — which countries tax US Social Security and which don't
A US couple spending $80K/year in retirement can live the same lifestyle in Portugal or Panama for roughly $58K — saving $22K annually before any tax benefits.
How it works
- Set your priorities — weight cost, healthcare, climate, language, visa ease, and 9 other criteria.
- Set your target retirement spending. The AI reweights cost-of-living scores accordingly.
- Review your top 10 countries with match scores, full criteria breakdowns, and visa pathways.
- Drill into individual countries for tax treatment, healthcare quality, expat communities, and visa requirements.
Why this matters
Retiring abroad isn't just about cost. The countries that look cheapest on paper often fail on healthcare, language, or visa accessibility. The countries with the best healthcare often tax US retirement income heavily.
Retire Abroad AI surfaces those trade-offs explicitly. The "match score" isn't a single number — it's your priorities applied to public data. Weight healthcare 40% and you'll see different countries than someone weighting cost of living 40%.
This is a planning tool, not personalized financial advice. Tax treaty interpretation and visa eligibility are best confirmed with a qualified international tax attorney before relocating.
Frequently asked questions
Do I lose Social Security if I retire abroad?
No, in most cases. The SSA will direct-deposit your benefits to about 200 countries. There are exceptions (Cuba, North Korea) and additional reporting requirements (FBAR, FATCA). The tool flags country-specific issues.
What about Medicare?
Medicare generally does not cover care outside the US. Most popular retirement countries (Portugal, Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica) have public or private healthcare costing far less than US private insurance — but you'll need a plan for periodic US visits.
Which countries don't tax US retirement income?
Several — Portugal (under the soon-ending NHR regime), Panama (Pensionado program), Costa Rica, Belize, and others have favorable retiree tax treatment. Treaty analysis varies by income type (Social Security vs. IRA vs. pension).
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