In this episode of Moving Abroad: Create a New Life in a New Country, we explore the top countries for retiring overseas in 2026, based on the latest Global Retirement Index. The ranking looks beyond sunshine and beaches, comparing destinations based on quality of life, mobility and citizenship, tax considerations, application procedures, and overall costs.
We count down the top 10 destinations, including Greece, Italy, Andorra, Latvia, Paraguay, Portugal, Costa Rica, Spain, Mauritius, and Uruguay. From Europe’s popular retirement visas to lower-cost options in Latin America and the tax advantages offered by Mauritius, each country brings a very different mix of lifestyle and practical benefits.
Taking the top spot is Uruguay, which performed strongly across every major category and offers applicants the possibility of applying directly for permanent residency. We also look at why Spain and Portugal remain favorites, why Costa Rica continues to appeal to retirees seeking tropical living, and how lesser-discussed options such as Latvia, Paraguay, and Mauritius earned places near the top.
Whether you’re actively planning retirement abroad or simply comparing where your savings, lifestyle, and long-term goals might fit best, this episode offers a useful look at some of the strongest retirement destinations for 2026.
🔎 Podcast Episode Credit
Condé Nast Traveler — “The Top 10 Countries for Retiring Abroad, According to the 2026 Global Retirement Index” by Alessia Armenise
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NEWEST Book: The Mainland Exit: How to Relocate, Settle, and Thrive in America’s Island Territories by Paper Planes Publishing
You can learn about additional countries to move to in our team's book, "Freedom Abroad: Ten Countries for Americans Ready to Relocate" and you can purchase a copy here!
