The 12 Best Places To Retire In The World This 2026

Over the past 12 months we’ve scoured the globe, exploring far-flung locations across Europe, Latin America, and Asia…

We’ve spent months interviewing expats, real estate agents, immigration attorneys… and weeks poring over facts and figures and crunching data…

The result of all those air miles, meetings, spreadsheets, and yes, admittedly, more than our share of sundowners on the beach with retirees living their best life abroad is the 2026 Overseas Retirement Index.

Whether you seek sun-soaked islands, cultural marvels, or off-the-beaten-path adventures, there’s something for you on our list of the world’s best places to retire in 2026.

How Our 2026 Overseas Retirement Index Stands Out

2026 might be the most exciting year on record to produce a list of the world’s best places to retire. More people than ever before are considering moving abroad—a lifestyle choice that not long ago was considered unusual if not completely contrarian.

Because moving abroad is such a hot topic, more information about it is available than ever before. But more information doesn’t always equate to good information…

Many of those currently producing lists of the world’s best places to retire gloss over the most important stuff, like how to get residency, what your tax picture will be, and other practical considerations. They also omit the potential downsides and ugly truths…

Instead, these list-makers provide a superficial overview, focusing on what’s fun and exciting about moving abroad rather than getting into the nitty-gritty of it. These kinds of “best of” lists make for enjoyable reading… but they’re not useful for much else.

If you’re serious about moving abroad, you should seek advice from people who know what they’re talking about… people with a long track record and decades of experience with this topic…

You should also seek advice from people who actually live the lifestyle that they recommend to readers… people who have gone through the trials and tribulations of launching life in a new country… In other words, fellow expats.

That’s exactly what our annual Overseas Retirement Index provides. Our editorial team is made up of real-life expats who’ve been lucky enough to explore the world extensively. We have first-hand experience with moving abroad, and we’re among the few that can honestly say, “I’ve been in your shoes,” as you consider this big life change.

We brought that perspective to bear as we crafted our list of the ultimate retirement havens to consider in 2026. We know what’s important to expats and hold no punches, giving as comprehensive an overview as possible for each place that we recommended.

The 2026 Overseas Retirement Index emphasizes havens that welcome expats with open arms. These places offer better weather, slower paces of life, vibrant culture, and lower costs of living… and choosing any one of them could turn the page to a richer, more fulfilling chapter of your life.

So… where in the world are they…

You can find the full list of all 12 destinations right here in our fully comprehensive 168-page Overseas Retirement Index report.

To give you a taste, here’s a rundown from #6 to #1…

#6 Tarragona, Spain

Making its debut on our Overseas Retirement Index—now in its 18th year of publication—is Tarragona, Spain.

Once the Roman capital of the Iberian Peninsula, Tarragona today is a wonderland of wide boulevards, golden-sand beaches, biscuit-colored-brick buildings, and lush parks.

Located in Spain’s Catalonia region and sitting on the country’s Costa Daurada (Golden Coast) just 60 miles southwest of Barcelona, this beachside city offers a more relaxed pace of life than hotspots like Madrid or Valencia.

This is authentic Spanish life with the same big city conveniences, great weather, rich history, beaches, and sunshine… but without the hustle, bustle, high prices, or tourist hoardes.

One of the oldest cities in Spain, Tarragona is best explored on foot. You’ll be stopping a lot, there’s historic gems around every corner, from the breath-taking amphitheater on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea to the impressive cathedral, a blend of Romanesque and Gothic styles.

One of Tarragona’s big draws is the low cost of living. You’ll pay less for housing, groceries, transport, eating out, and utilities here than in Spain’s big cities.

In Tarragona, furnished studio apartments can be rented for under $650 a month. Two-bedroom, furnished apartments can be found for under $900 a month.

Tarragona has a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. It’s a good choice if you enjoy mostly warm weather with some seasonal variation.

Tarragona offers a well‑established mix of public and private health‑care services. The main public hospital is Hospital Universitari Joan XXIII—the largest hospital in the province, offering a full range of services from general medicine and surgery to intensive care, cardiology, diagnostics, and more. Tarragona also has a second public hospital, Hospital Sant Pau i Santa Tecla.

While the expat community here is smaller than in hotspots likes Barcelona or Valencia, it is growing. The city is home to around 140,000 people, around 33,000 of whom are foreign-born.

For our full take on Tarragona request access to the 2026 Overseas Retirement Index here.

#5 Crete, Greece

If warm sunshine, cold cocktails, friendly locals, orange sunsets, turquoise waters, and pink sand beaches are your thing you’ll find them all in Crete.

The biggest island in Greece and the fifth biggest in the Mediterranean, Crete offers more lifestyle options than your typical island… from cities like Chania and Heraklion to pristine wilderness, charming beach towns to snow-capped mountains, and ancient olive groves to mountain villages.

Crete is an affordable place to live, and because the island is so big, there’s enough room for budget flexibility. Outside of the cities, rent can be as little as $500 per month.

Crete has a number of climatic zones, but generally, its climate is somewhere between a Mediterranean and semi-arid climate classification. Expect hot summers and mild winters.

Both public (available through the National Health System (ESY)) and private health care facilities are available on Crete. Standards of care are generally high, and you can have most health care needs taken care of here. Bigger public hospitals are well-equipped and have English-speaking staff.

Around the main population zones, locals speak English at a passable level. You’ll be able to achieve day-to-day tasks and have conversations with people, especially younger folks, without misunderstandings.

Crete has expat communities spread out across the island. The biggest populations of expats are found in Chania and Heraklion, although you’ll find pockets of expats almost everywhere.

Most expats are older folks from the U.K. and Germany. Because of the U.S. naval base in Souda Bay, made up of 350 commissioned and enlisted personnel, there’s also a fairly large community of American expats here.

Greece offers several paths to residency. The residence permit that most retirees use to live here long-term is an independent means visa called the Financially Independent Person (FIP) Permit.

The basic requirement to qualify for the FIP visa is showing that you receive enough income to support yourself while living in Greece. You need to show that you receive €3,500 (about $4k) per month. This residency permit is available for two years and is renewable.

#4 Gascony, France

Nestled in the sedate southwestern corner of France, between Bordeaux and the Pyrenees and close to the Spanish border, this safe and peaceful region is a true hidden gem.

While Gascony is still used as a cultural and historical term for the region, you may struggle to find it on a map. Though its exact boundaries vary, generally speaking the region stretches from the Pyrenees up to the Garonne River and from the Atlantic coast to the eastern edges of what’s now Haute-Garonne and Ariège.

The historical capital of Gascony, Auch, is about a seven-hour drive south from Paris.

Gascony is yet another destination that proves that life in Europe is not financially out of reach for Americans…

This part of France can be easily affordable, especially if you live like a local and make use of the local markets, which sell affordable local goods and produce.

You can rent a studio apartment here for under $500 a month or a house with a garden for around $800.

In your pick of villages you can dine out at a local bistro for around $30 for three courses and a drink… Think hearty bean soup… duck confit with seasonal vegetables, and a slice of gâteau à l’Armagnac to finish… All washed down with a big bold glass of Madiran wine…

Gascony is a sprawling region encompassing several towns and villages of different sizes… You’d be perfectly safe in any of these. Crime is exceptionally low across the board—far below national and urban French averages. Violent incidents are rare and petty crime is declining regionally.

Simply put, Gascony is one of France’s safest rural regions and it’s highly unlikely that crime would affect your life living here.

#3 Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Located on Mexico’s Pacific Coast in the scenic Banderas Bay and surrounded by the Sierra Madre mountains, Puerto Vallarta was once a quiet fishing village. Today, though it retains its traditional charm, it’s one of Mexico’s most popular beach towns.

Getting here is a breeze. It’s a quick flight (or drive) from Canada or the States and is in a similar time zone so there’s no need to worry about jet lag and trips back home to see the kids or grandkids are easy and cheap.

With the ocean on one side and the mountains on the other, there’s a wealth of activities at your fingertips here. Add to that an active and growing expat population plus the super-friendly locals, and you’ve got a recipe for good times.

High-quality, affordable medical and dental care is readily available here, too. It’s easy to get by in English, even at the doctor’s office.

The town has different vibes depending on the month of the year but there’s always something going on and all kinds of opportunities to connect with fellow expats and get involved in the local community.

While the high season (November to March) is busy with snowbirds and international vacationers, Puerto Vallarta also attracts a large crowd of national tourists during Semana Santa (Holy Week) and in July when Mexican school children are on vacation.

Puerto Vallarta is also proud to be a LGBTQ-friendly destination. Often called the “San Francisco of Mexico,” the city hosts a huge Pride Week celebration every year in May. It’s more liberal and laidback than most places in Mexico.

If you love being on the water, then this is definitely the place for you. Many expats and retirees own their own boats and park them in one of the marinas in the bay. Whether it’s sailing, snorkeling, whale watching in the winter months, or simply walking along the beach and getting your own feet salty, Puerto Vallarta is a premier destination for ocean-lovers.

As Puerto Vallarta’s popularity has grown with tourists and expats, its prices have risen. It’s by no means a cheap place to live but it is still largely affordable by North American standards.

If you like the sounds of PV, but you’re worried about your lack of Spanish, don’t be. While that’s obviously the first choice of locals, many people speak English quite fluently here. After all, this is primarily a tourist town geared towards Americans and Canadians.

That said, a little bit of espanol goes a long way. Even a simple “Buenas tardes” (good afternoon) is much appreciated, especially when accompanied by a smile.

For our every insight on Puerto Vallarta including a cost of living breakdown, climate, safety, health care, and more request access to the full 2026 Overseas Retirement Index now.

#2 The Algarve, Portugal

Few places in the world could be called perfect, but Portugal’s Algarve is about as close as it gets…

Picture a chain of historic and charming small towns strung together by a single-lane highway, people walking or biking along, passing roadside stands offering fresh fruit at unbeatable prices.

Stretching along Portugal’s entire southern coastline from the Spanish border in the east to the Atlantic cliffs of Sagres in the west, the Algarve is home to close to 500,000 people—a number that more than triples in the summer months as vacationers flock here and little wonder why…

The weather is warm… blossoming vines grow over the stucco walls that hide beautiful properties inside. Thanks to fantastic weather year-round, with more than 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, most every day is a perfect day to get out and enjoy your new home…

Head east, and small towns give way to flowering hedges, tall trees, and grasslands. The landscape is an eye-candy explosion of orchards and flowers that bloom year-round, across more than 125 miles of craggy coastline and some of Europe’s best beaches.

Portugal has been a haven for foreigners for decades. Over 1.5 million foreigners call it home and numbered among them are an estimated 100,000 expat retirees…

In all ways, Portugal is one of the most welcoming countries you’ll ever experience, plus, in the Algarve English is spoken widely. You could land here tomorrow and slip right into everyday living without much struggle or hassle at all…

There’s also an impressive list of things to do here, including both highbrow culture (museums, art galleries, and historic towns and sites all around) and an abundance of outdoor activities, from fishing and hiking to four-wheeling and skydiving, plus Europe’s best selection of golf courses, boasting more than 800 holes…

This isn’t the world’s cheapest place to live, but it’s a bargain compared with elsewhere in Europe and one of the best places in the world today to enjoy a safe and enjoyable retirement on the ocean.

What’s more, Portugal has been rated as the seventh safest country in the entire world.

#1 Boquete, Panama

Boquete is perhaps the world’s best-known expat haven. It’s home to some 25,000 people, over a fifth of whom are expats primarily from the U.S. and Canada, but a good number of Europeans, too. Living here you’ll never want for English-speaking company.

In addition, Boquete offers fresh spring-like weather year-round. Down at sea level, Panama is hot and steamy. Up here in the highlands it’s eternally pleasant… even cool enough some evenings for a fire.

The countryside is lush and green in this land of rainbows…

And the cost of living is still a bargain… especially when you consider the lifestyle on offer…

Life here today is fully appointed. Boquete boasts restaurants of nearly every nationality, nightlife, massage studios, beauty salons… along with grocery stores stocking international brands and medical clinics with English-speaking staff…

This region also produces some of the best coffee on earth, including the famous geisha bean, grown in beautiful fields all around.

It’s a nature-lover’s dream and an outdoorsman’s playground. You could spend your days hiking the lush highlands, rafting on the river, spotting wildlife, fishing…

Plus, you’re only around 45 minutes from David, Panama’s second-largest city, where you’ll find everything you’d expect to find in a large city back home.

You’re also just 50 minutes from the Pacific coast and its beaches.

Boquete has everything you could want for your retirement lifestyle… and it’s for all those reasons and more it’s the place we’ve named the world’s best for an overseas retirement this 2026.

To get the inside track on Boquete and every other destination that made the grade as one of the world’s best expat havens request access to the full 2026 Overseas Retirement Index here, now.

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