Top 20 countries to retire that could save you cash in your golden years – including island with 300 days of sun
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THE top 20 countries for Brits to retire abroad have been revealed - and they could save you cash in your golden years.
Experts looked at factors including affordability, the cost of buying a home, lifestyle, healthcare and safety.
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Ireland has come out on top as the number one destination for British retirees
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Malta also made the list for its accessible migration schemes and its affordability
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Cyprus is among the top 20 because of its good weather and beach-oriented lifestyle
Credit: Getty
Spain and France might be the first destinations that come to mind if you're thinking about where retirees will flock to.
But Ireland has been named the ideal overseas destination, according to analysis carried out by wealth management firm Hoxton Wealth.
Each country was ranked with a score from 1 to 100 - and Ireland scored an impressive 85.
That's partly because of the ease to migrate there legally post-Brexit.
Ireland scored the highest of all countries for visa access and residency pathways because UK citizens have unique rights under the Common Travel Area (CTA) agreement.
It means UK can live, work, retire, and access public services in Ireland without restriction, unlike any other EU country following Brexit.
Plus, it's easier to integrate because everyone speaks English and it's still close to the UK.
In joint second place were Portugal and Cyprus, which both scored highly on lifestyle and safety.
People thinking of a move to Portugal can enjoy mild winters and hot summers, as well as its relaxed and outdoor-oriented lifestyle.
Popular expat areas include on the Algarve, the Lisbon coast, the Silver Coast, and on Madeira.
I explored the tiny European country with underground cities and little-known islands
Portugal is also consistently ranked among the best places to live for retirees globally.
Cyprus was also highly rated for its climate and its relaxed, beach-oriented lifestyle.
It's known for being expat-friendly, especially around areas like Paphos, Limassol and Lanarca - which all offer great outdoor living year-round.
The top 20 countries ranked and how they scored
1 - Ireland = 87
2 - Cyprus = 85
3 - Portugal = 85
4 - Malta = 83
5 - Malaysia = 81
6 - Panama = 81
7 - Spain = 81
8 - Greece = 80
9 - Mauritius = 80
10 - Turkey = 80
11 - UAE = 80
12 - France = 78
13 - Italy = 76
14- Uruguay = 76
15 - Canada = 73
16 - Japan = 73
17 - Thailand = 72
18 - New Zealand = 70
19 - USA = 69
20 - Australia = 68
UK baseline = 77
Malta was next on the list as it has structured and accessible residence schemes for British retirees.
Everything is also accessible there as English is an official language.
The country has been picked out for its affordability, including affordable healthcare, transport and dining.
Property prices are rising in areas like Sliema and Valletta but there's still excellent value in smaller towns and in Gozo.
Plus, it's said to have a huge 300 days of sun per year.
Although Spain has typically been seen as a haven for expats, it's now slipped down the rankings because Brits are regarded as third-country nationals.
You would need a visa to stay there for any longer than 90 days in any 180-day period.
Retirees can get the Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV), but you'd need to show a passive income of €28,800 (£24,370) a year per person.
Still, Brits could be drawn to the Spanish lifestyle - including its sunny Mediterranean climate - as well as the well-established expat hubs in places like the Costa Blanca, Costa del Sol and in the Balearics.
The countries rated best for cost of living were Malaysia, Turkey and Thailand, with Canada, Japan and Australia scoring the best for economic and political stability.
The UAE was rated best for taxation with no income tax on individuals, no inheritance tax and no tax on pensions or investment income.
Chris Ball, CEO of Hoxton Wealth, said: "Places like Spain, France, Australia, and the like have long been seen as safe, sunny, and straightforward. But the world has changed.
"Rising living costs, shifting visa rules post-Brexit, evolving tax landscapes, and new global lifestyle trends mean the decision of where to retire or relocate now involves far more than sunshine and property prices.
"UK residents considering retiring abroad need to look beyond purely the climate or cost of living."
Best places in the UK to retire
If you're planning to stay in the UK, there are also plenty of great options.
A recent study by Legal and General ranked the "wine capital" of Britain on its list, as well as areas of Surrey and Buckinghamshire.
Chesham and Amersham took the top spot as the best place in the UK to spend your golden years.
The area – popular for its transport links to London, its charming and historic streets, and for being a gateway for walkers and cyclists to the picturesque Chilterns – was ranked the highest in L&G's index.
The picturesque town of Beaconsfield, also in Buckinghamshire, came in second place, while Dorking and Horley in Surrey was third.
Also in Surrey, Goldalming and Ash was fourth, while Mid Sussex completed the top five.
West Sussex - which is part of the wine capital of the UK and produces more wine than any county - also made the list, with East Grinstead and Uckfield coming in 10th.
They were ranked on access to healthcare, opportunities to build social connections, access to nature, local amenities and financial security.
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