The Best Places To Retire In 2026

We’re excited to soon be announcing our list of the World’s Best Places To Retire In 2026.

We’ve scoured the globe, exploring far-flung locations across Europe, Latin America, and Asia, to bring you our list of exceptional havens.

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, rather than those who only recently jumped on the bandwagon…

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 sign up for our 2026 Overseas Retirement Index Webinar for free right here and we’ll keep you posted on all the details.

For now, we’d like to give you a taste of what’s in store…

Our Overseas Retirement Index stands apart from all the rest for several reasons but one key one is that we don’t just point to countries and say “go there”… rather we pinpoint destinations sometimes to a region, more often to a particular town, city, or village.

After all, telling you Mexico, for example, makes sense for retirement isn’t exactly helpful… Mexico is a country of over 131 million people covering 761,610 square miles… We know you need to know where in Mexico makes sense… just as you need to know where in any country stands out for an easy and enjoyable expat life.

That’s why our Overseas Retirement Index hones in on expat havens the world over and we’ll be revealing them to you on January 8 at our exclusive webinar…

For now, here’s a sneak peak of just some of the destinations to help guide you closer to your perfect paradise overseas…

After all, telling you Mexico, for example, makes sense for retirement isn’t exactly helpful… Mexico is a country of over 131 million people covering 761,610 square miles… We know you need to know where in Mexico makes sense… just as you need to know where in any country stands out for an easy and enjoyable expat life.

That’s why our Overseas Retirement Index hones in on expat havens the world over and we’ll be revealing them to you on January 8 at our exclusive webinar…

For now, here’s a sneak peak of just some of the destinations to help guide you closer to your perfect paradise overseas…

Mexico

Why Should I Retire In Mexico?

Over the past four decades, Americans and Canadians have voted Mexico the world’s number one place to enjoy expat life in the way that really counts. They’ve packed up and moved there.

This country is home to more expats from up north than any other—at least one million or as many as two million, depending on who’s counting. These big numbers shouldn’t surprise anyone. Mexico is familiar and close to the States and Canada, making for an easy transition to expat life.

Mexico provides the three main things that expats seek: warm weather, beautiful beaches, and a low cost of living. It’s a massive country with two long coasts, mountains, and colonial cities, meaning a variety of lifestyle options are available.

Where Should I Retire In Mexico?

From cool-weather colonial gems in the highlands to sun-soaked resorts along the coast, Mexico offers a wealth of havens for expats seeking a more affordable and enjoyable lifestyle in retirement.

Long established havens include San Miguel de Allende, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán, Lake Chapala, Cabo San Lucas, and beyond… but where exactly is our 2026 pick…

All will be revealed at our 2026 Overseas Retirement Index webinar—add your name to the list to join us on Jan. 8 here. 

What we can tell you is it’s a spot that’s home to a welcoming expat community… you can easily access home comforts and first-class health care… you can even get by in English… And you can enjoy the good life here on a monthly budget of around $3,300—for a couple.

Portugal

It’s easy to understand why Portugal has become one of the most sought-after expat destinations in the world…

It has a low cost of living and user-friendly residency options. It also has great food, abundant sunshine, some of the best beaches and golf in Europe, excellent infrastructure, and a large English-speaking population.

Portugal has a mild, almost Mediterranean climate with over 300 days of sunshine per year, allowing people who live here to maximize and enjoy their time spent outdoors. It’s well connected, making it a great base from which to explore the rest of the Continent.

Where Should I Retire In Portugal?

Last year we named the coastal resort town of Cascais as our number one pick in Portugal…

This year, we have a new winner… It’s a destination that’s featured on our Overseas Retirement Index in the past and is always deserving of a place in the rankings. It’s got sunshine, every imaginable recreation and entertainment option, great food, friendly locals, and if you know where to look, life here can be a bargain.

Be among the first to discover where is our top choice in Portugal for 2026 when you join our Overseas Retirement Index Webinar. (Sign up here.)

Panama

Why Should I Retire To Panama?

Panama is geographically blessed, politically and economically stable, infrastructure is solid, health care is excellent, and it offers a world-famous retiree program which offers easy residency, discounts on everything from prescription medicines to hotel stays.

Plus, there’s tax advantages, welcoming and established expat communities, and a tropical climate.

Where Should I Retire In Panama?

For such a small country Panama really packs a punch when it comes to expat havens… The capital, Panama City, offers every imaginable convenience, glittering malls, air-conditioned gyms, golf, social clubs, top-notch dining options, and a well-organized expat community…

Or perhaps you’d like to go barefoot in a beach town like Bocas del Toro, Pedasí, or Playa Venao… Or enjoy the best of both world’s with easy access to the sea and the city in Coronado… Or make an easy move into overseas living in the expat haven of Boquete…

Your options abound here but for us, this 2026, there’s one place that stands out above the rest. All will be revealed on Jan. 8 at our free webinar. Be sure to sign up today—it’s free, gives you access to our overseas experts, and attendees will be in line to lock in a very special discount. Sign up now.

Belize

Why Should I Retire To Belize?

Belize is a country of natural wonders, with the second-largest coral reef in the world, geographic anomalies like the Great Blue Hole, Caribbean islands with white-sand beaches, as well as jungles, rivers, caves, and more.

It was once a stronghold for the Maya Empire. Today, it’s a highly popular expat destination that attracts those who seek a warm climate, an affordable cost of living, privacy, independence, and, above all, freedom. People live and let live in this unassuming little country.

Belize offers a range of lifestyle opportunities, from the Key West atmosphere on islands like Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker to the wide-open spaces of the mainland in places like Cayo and Corozal.

Most importantly, Belize welcomes expats with open arms. The Qualified Retirement Program is one of the world’s premier retirement visas. It comes with perks, like tax-free importation of household goods, automobiles, boats, or even airplanes. Plus, Belize is a tax haven, imposing zero tax on foreign-sourced income.

Where Should I Retire To In Belize?

Last year Ambergris Caye, a slice of Caribbean heaven, took top honors in our Overseas Retirement Index. This year, we crown a new winner…

This hidden gem is well deserving of its moment in the sun. It offers laidback living, a chance to get back to basics, escape the stresses and strains of the modern world, and reconnect with nature and likeminded souls. And you can do it all here on a budget of just $2,035 a month for a couple—rent included.

We’ll give the inside track on it on Jan. 8. Stay tuned.

France

Why Should I Retire To France?

France is a fairy-tale land of romance, culinary excellence, delicious wine, and beautifully classic architecture.

Its iconic capital city is the world’s greatest open-air museum, a never-ending feast for your heart, your mind, your body, and your soul… But France is much more than Paris. This country also offers laid-back, rustic living in the countryside… outdoor mountain life in the French Alps… and glamorous, beachside lifestyles on the Côte d’Azur.

France is considered ground zero of refined Western culture. For access to the historic, architectural, and social heart of Western culture, there’s no better location.

Where Should I Retire In France?

Many people think a retirement in France is financially out of reach. We’re happy to report that’s simply not the case. In our number one pick in France a couple can enjoy a comfortable lifestyle in a beautiful region for as little as $2,085 a month. That includes renting a home, dining out, shopping for the freshest produce at lively markets, and running a car…

That location and more besides will be revealed to you on Jan. 8 at our FREE Overseas Retirement Index Webinar. If you’re planning a move overseas in 2026 you cannot afford to miss this fun and free online event. Sign up here.

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THE 12 BEST PLACES TO RETIRE IN 2026
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