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Forbes
30-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
5 Things Americans Should Know About Retiring In Canada
Living close to nature is one of the benefits of retiring in Canada Over 1 million Americans live in Canada, according to the Association of Americans Resident Overseas. Canada is a popular choice for retirement because it's close, largely English-speaking, and offers a peaceful, familiar culture. As the second-largest country in the world, Canada boasts an abundance of untouched nature and diverse lifestyle options—from the quaint coastal towns of the Pacific Northwest and Maritimes to the rural lifestyles in the Great Plains to Rocky Mountain ski villages and the big city buzz of Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. For Americans, accessing Canada's lifestyle benefits can be as simple as packing up your home and heading north of the border. But there are practical matters to consider before making the move. Here's an overview of what Americans should know about retiring in Canada. The pros of retiring in Canada include: Some of the challenges of retiring in Canada include: Canada has diverse climate zones, however. You can seek out milder coastal regions, where the ocean moderates temperatures. Alternatively, you could become a snowbird, an expat who spends winters in warmer climates to avoid the cold. Here's an overview of average home prices in Canada's most populated provinces, according to (All prices are listed in U.S. dollars.) Compare that to average home prices in the U.S.'s most populated states (according to Zillow): Other costs add up too. A gallon of gas currently costs around $3.60 in Canada and around $3.15 in the States. Monthly food expenses for a family of four are around $1,014 in Canada and $996 in the U.S. Fortunately, the strength of the U.S. dollar compared to the Canadian dollar currently provides Americans with a modest currency advantage, which helps offset some of these costs. U.S. citizens must file U.S. taxes on their worldwide income regardless of where they live. Moving to Canada doesn't change that. However, living abroad can trigger new reporting requirements like FBAR (for foreign bank accounts totaling over $10,000) and Form 8938 (if you hold significant foreign financial assets). You may also owe Canadian taxes if you're deemed a resident, but thanks to the U.S.-Canada Tax Treaty, most people can avoid double taxation by claiming foreign tax credits. Moving to Canada doesn't close your IRAs, 401(k)s, Roth IRAs, or other retirement accounts. You can continue to own these accounts and take contributions according to U.S. rules. You may face some challenges, however. Some U.S. brokerages impose restrictions on account holders with foreign addresses, limiting your ability to make trades or reallocate investments. In many cases, you won't be able to contribute to your IRAs or 401(k)s unless you maintain U.S.-sourced earned income. You can't transfer U.S. retirement accounts into Canadian retirement vehicles. Some financial institutions won't send distributions to a foreign bank. You may need a U.S. bank account to receive IRA or 401(k) distributions and then transfer them internationally—potentially incurring wire fees and currency conversion costs. Canada doesn't offer a retiree visa or an investor visa for financially independent people without employment plans. Most immigration streams are geared toward filling labor shortages, such as skilled worker programs for healthcare, construction, and technology. However, Americans can visit Canada for up to six months at a time without a visa. For many retirees, spending part of the year in Canada as a long-term tourist offers a way to enjoy Canada's lifestyle without the complexities of immigration. Canada offers a peaceful, beautiful, welcoming environment for retirement, but it comes with its own set of challenges—higher taxes, high housing costs, and harsh winters in many areas. For those who prepare thoughtfully, Canada can deliver a high quality of life, access to excellent healthcare, and a warm, friendly community just north of the border.
Local France
25-03-2025
- Health
- Local France
How to find health insurance for your French visa
If you are looking to move to France and you do not hold EU citizenship, then you will first need a visa. For several types of visas, including the 'Visiteur' status which is common amongst retirees and second-home owners, it is necessary to show that you have health coverage for the duration of your stay. Some countries have bilateral agreements with France so that their public healthcare is carried over at least at a minimum - for example, Brits in France can use the GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) to cover their emergency and unplanned treatments in France. But if you come from a country that does not have a bilateral agreement with France, or does not provide state medical care - like the United States - then you will need a private health insurance policy that covers the duration of your visa. Please note that The Local cannot recommend any individual companies and any examples given below are for guidance only and do not constitute a recommendation Advertisement What type of plan will I need? If you are applying for a visa that asks for proof of health coverage, then the initial requirement might simply say Attestation d'une assurance maladie couvrant la durée de votre séjour' (document proving you have healthcare for the duration of your visit). This is pretty vague, but when you go further, you ought to get more detail. For example, people applying for visitors' visas to France from the United States are asked to show a "Travel health insurance certificate issued by the insurance company, covering any possible costs for medical repatriation, and emergency and/or hospital treatment, for a minimum amount of €30,000". It must be "valid in France for the whole stay" and a "copy of your American health insurance card is not an acceptable proof of adequate coverage." There is no official list of private health plans that are accepted, or a list of 'approved' companies - it is up to you to find a policy that fits the requirements specified on your visa. How to find a good health plan In theory, any travel health plan that covers repatriation and emergency/ hospital treatment of at least €30,000 should be acceptable. There are several types of options - depending on your nationality, there might be an association that exists to offer people health coverage. For example, the Association of Americans Resident Overseas (AARO) has their own health plan. Then, there are French companies that offer private insurance (for example, MondAssur , ACS and Fab ), as well as international companies that offer global private coverage (ex, Cigna , Allianz and Axa ). Advertisement Be sure to carefully read through the offer from the plan, and check to see if there is an age maximum and whether it covers pre-existing conditions. READ MORE: Urgent care: How to get non-emergency medical treatment in France You could also use an insurance broker - this will add an extra cost but the broker can give you an idea of how helpful the customer service apparatus is, as well as how easy it might be to make a claim in the future. Recommendations from friends and members of 'expat' groups can be useful, but remember that everyone's personal circumstances are different so you should always check carefully that a policy covers your particular needs. Check that the plan that allows cancellation in the event that your visa is refused for whatever reason. Can't I just sign up for French healthcare after three months? You can sign up for a carte vitale and join the French healthcare system after three months of living in France. READ MORE: The different ways you can make a doctor's appointment in France That said, it can take several months for a carte vitale to be processed, and embassy/consular authorities will expect to private health coverage that lasts the duration of your visa. Advertisement While you might be able to opt for a plan that allows early cancellation, many expect that you agree to a full year. It is also worth keeping in mind that French public healthcare is not free. The system itself must be funded, and users 'pay in' to the system via social charges known as cotisations . Most people who are working in France won't really notice these - they disappear from your salary or income along with a bunch of other things including income taxes, pension contributions and unemployment insurance. However, if you are below retirement age and you are not working in France, then there is a chance you will be sent a bill for your cotisations . READ MORE: Cotisations: Why you might get an unexpected French health bill
