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Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Top 20 countries to retire that could save you cash in your golden years – including island with 300 days of sun
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) 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. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Ireland has come out on top as the number one destination for British retirees Credit: Getty 3 Malta also made the list for its accessible migration schemes and its affordability Credit: Getty 3 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.
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
The 20 best places to retire abroad in 2025 with winner ranked as 'safe and welcoming'
A new study looked at 10 criteria to rank popular destinations including access to healthcare, safety and cost of living The 20 best places to retire to in 2025 have been ranked and in top spot is a country just a stone's throw from the UK. The survey looked at at number of factors in each destination to come up with the list. Taking the crown as the best place for UK retirees to relocate to was Ireland. The research, conducted by international financial advisory and wealth management firm Hoxton Wealth considered 10 criteria in each destination including cost of living, property ownership, lifestyle and healthcare as well as visa access, taxation and safety. Each destination was then scored from one to 100 which had been benchmarked against the UK, which scored 77 out of 100. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Ireland scored an impressive 85 out of 100, the highest of all countries for visa access and residency pathways. And the report also noted that post-Brexit, UK citizens retain unique rights under the Common Travel Area (CTA) agreement meaning that UK nationals can live, work, retire, and access public services in Ireland without restriction, offering seamless legal migration unlike any other EU country post-Brexit. Coming in at joint second place were Portugal and Cyprus with both being highly rated for lifestyle and safety. Another sunshine spot, Portugal, was recognised for the appeal of its mild winters and hot summers, especially in the south; its relaxed, friendly, outdoor-oriented lifestyle especially around popular expat hubs on the Algarve, the Lisbon coast, the Silver Coast, and on Madeira. The report noted that it was consistently ranked among the best places to live for retirees globally. Similarly, Cyprus was highly rated for its climate, for its relaxed, beach-oriented lifestyle, and for being expat-friendly, especially around expat hubs like Paphos, Limassol and Larnaca offering great outdoor living year-round. Top 20 places to retire to in 2025 *UK benchmark = 77 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 The report summarised that Ireland is "uniquely positioned for Britons post-Brexit, offering unrivalled access, legal simplicity, and cultural familiarity. It's especially appealing to those who want to remain close to the UK while living abroad". Common language would make integration straightforward. It also scored well economically, with the analysis describing it as 'fast-growing and modern, bolstered by tech, pharma, and finance sectors', and for safety, with it being rated as a 'very safe, welcoming environment'. The top five destinations on the list were made up by Malta and Spain. Malta, post-Brexit, offers structured, accessible residence schemes for British retirees, with extensive support available from local legal and relocation providers and, with English being an official language, all processes are accessible. Cost of living was rated as generally lower than the UK, with affordable healthcare, transport, and dining, and although property prices are rising in central areas like Sliema and Valletta, excellent value can still be found in smaller towns and Gozo. In Spain, Britons are now regarded as third-country nationals and need a visa for stays over 90 days in any 180-day period within the Schengen Zone. Options for retirees include the Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV), which is popular for retirees, but requires proof of sufficient passive income (approx. €28,800/year for individuals). Lifestyle was rated as one of Spain's biggest draws, including the dry, sunny, Mediterranean climate, and the expat lifestyle facilitated by large, well-established British communities along 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. Although retirees must maintain non-residency in the UK to avoid UK tax obligations, it was viewed as an ideal destination for those seeking a zero-tax retirement. Chris Ball, CEO of Hoxton Wealth said the research was undertaken to assess which destinations remain attractive and viable for UK retirees today. He said: 'We've taken a structured and comparative approach to evaluate the traditional favourites that have historically drawn the largest numbers of British retirees as well as a series of emerging destinations, alternative countries that are becoming increasingly viable for today's globally minded retiree. "In so doing, we can offer a realistic, data-informed, and planning-oriented view of the global retirement landscape, empowering Britons to make smart, secure decisions about where to base their future. 'For decades, British retirees have followed familiar paths when deciding where to spend their later years. '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.' And he concluded: "The right destination will depend entirely on your personal circumstances—whether you're looking for a vibrant expat community, lower healthcare costs, or simply a slower pace of life. "What suits one retiree may not suit another, which is why tailored financial advice is key to making an informed, confident decision."
ITV News
4 days ago
- Politics
- ITV News
Channel Islands wrestle to continue French day trip scheme without breaking ETA travel rules
The Government of Jersey says it plans to exempt French nationals from needing an ETA travel permit if they are visiting the island on their ID cards for a day trip. Politicians are set to approve the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme at a debate in September, with the new rules expected to come into force at the end of 2025 or the start of 2026. It would mean most foreign visitors have to pay £16 and complete an online form to enter the island from outside the Common Travel Area (CTA), bringing Jersey in line with UK policy. However, all ETA applications require a passport, which seemed to signal the end of the successful day-trippers scheme, where French visitors currently only need to show their ID card. Now, if the ETA is brought in, Jersey's government says it wants to change the island's immigration law so this initiative can continue outside of the new travel permit rules. Meanwhile, the President of Guernsey's Home Affairs Committee, Deputy Marc Leadbeater, says he has written to the UK Immigration Minister Seema Malhotra "outlining the Bailiwick's desire to continue with the French Identity Card Scheme into 2026, providing it does not place our membership of the CTA at risk". He adds: "The Committee has emphasised the safeguards in place to mitigate any risk of abuse and can report that there have been no cases of non-compliance since the inception of the scheme in 2023. "We remain committed to the implementation of the Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme (ETAs) with the Crown Dependencies now working towards joining the scheme during the 1st quarter of 2026."
ITV News
22-07-2025
- ITV News
Jersey's Chief Minister formally proposes £16 ETA travel permit for foreign visitors
Jersey is a step closer to introducing an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme, which would see most foreign visitors made to pay £16 to enter the island from outside the Common Travel Area. Chief Minister, Deputy Lyndon Farnham, has submitted the proposition to the States, which will be debated in September. It is expected to be approved and would see Jersey adopt the same scheme that is already in place across the UK, with the other Crown Dependencies of Guernsey and the Isle of Man also working on similar legislation. The changes are anticipated to come into force at the end of 2025 or start of 2026. It would mean there could be no further extension to French day trippers visiting Jersey on their national identity cards, as all ETA applications require a passport. Visitors to Jersey would need this travel permit, including babies and children, unless they are exempt, and it would last for two years or until the person's passport expires, whichever comes first. The ETA covers travel for tourism, seeing family and certain other reasons for up to six months. Those who will not need the permit include visitors from within the Common Travel Area (UK, Ireland, Isle of Man, and the Bailiwick of Guernsey) or who already have a valid visa. A full list of exemptions will be published once the scheme is approved.
Daily Mirror
01-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Ryanair wouldn't board us over weird rule
Christina Finn and her family were flying back to Dublin from London Stansted with Ryanair on Sunday evening when they were refused boarding on their flight A family from Ireland has spoken out after they claimed Ryanair refused to let them board a flight from London to Dublin, erroneously informing them they needed a visa to travel from the UK to Ireland. Christina Finn and her husband, Cameron, were forced to miss their return trip to Dublin following a CBeebies event in London with their infant son when they were turned away by the budget carrier at Stansted Airport. The pair had travelled trouble-free to London from Belfast on Friday but encountered issues when attempting to return home. Christian said: "We had flown to London on Friday morning from Belfast for a meeting with the BBC, and we were to fly home from London to Dublin and then get the bus up to Belfast as that was the cheapest option, and it is something we would do all the time." The couple's journey hit a hitch when they struggled to check-in online due to technical issues which Christina initially thought were caused by her mobile phone, reports the Irish Mirror. Stranded with their ill five-month-old baby who requires regular medication, Christina emphasised the urgency of their need to return home. Christina said: "When we went to check in on the app, it wouldn't let me click through to our booking at all and I thought the issue was with my phone so when we got to the airport, we had to check in at the desk where we then had to pay a fine for not checking in online." Following the unexpected check-in fee at the airport, Christina explained that the Ryanair representative asked to see their passports, despite having used their driving licences for the outbound easyJet flight, and offered their slightly expired passports as identification. "My husband has an Irish passport and I have a British one, which have both recently expired. With the baby due, we were waiting until he was born to renew them so that we could just do it at the same time. "We informed the staff that we had flown over on our driving licences so he took them away and came back with a man who told us that because my husband has an expired Irish passport, he would be allowed on the flight to Dublin but as my passport was a British one they couldn't let me on the plane. "The staff informed me that as a UK citizen I would need a visa to travel to Ireland as it is in the EU and I tried to explain to them that that wouldn't apply due to the Common Travel Area. "I told him that we lived in Northern Ireland and he then questioned how I had a British passport and couldn't seem to understand that it was a pretty common thing for people to fly to Dublin then travel on to Belfast. He also said that we would need to have evidence that we had booked onward travel from Dublin to Belfast. "As I questioned it, he said that he was speaking to someone on the phone who told him that if they let us on the plane and if we arrived in Dublin we would be stopped at passport control and the airline would be fined between £500 and £1000 for allowing me on the plane without a valid passport." Christina revealed that the staff member advised the only solution to their problem would be to book a new direct flight to Belfast, which would cost them €580 (£554). In a frustrating situation, Christina had to turn to her mother for help with the flight costs. While sorting things out, her mother checked the official government website and found something that surprised them both. "We had to borrow the money from my mum for the flights and while I was on the phone to her she looked up the Government website which stated that you did not need a passport or visa to travel between the UK and Ireland. "She sent me a screenshot of this which I showed to the man and he said he would look into it then he walked away." Determined to get to the bottom of the issue, Christina phoned the British embassy in Dublin who referred her to their Irish counterparts in London. She said: "I decided to ring the British embassy in Dublin who directed me to call the Irish embassy in London and the woman on the phone was horrified. "She said that there was no requirement for people to have a passport for travelling between the UK and Ireland and that there was also no need for a visa." However, to her dismay, she discovered that Ryanair's own rules played a significant role in her travel woes. "However, she explained that Ryanair could have its own policy requiring travellers to have a passport." Feeling mistreated, Christina recounted how the incident left her feeling less than respected. A Ryanair spokesperson defended the airline's position, emphasising their policy and the customers' agreement to it. "In accordance with Ryanair's TandC's, which these passengers agreed to at the time of booking, these passengers failed to check-in online before arriving at London Stansted Airport (5 June). "Therefore, these passengers were correctly asked to pay the required airport check-in fee (£55 per passenger), however refused to do so, and became aggressive towards the agents at the check in desk at London Stansted Airport." They further reiterated the importance of abiding by their procedures. "All passengers travelling with Ryanair agree to check-in online before arriving at their departure airport and all passengers are sent an email reminding them to do so 24hrs before departure. "These passengers were subsequently correctly denied boarding to this flight from London Stansted to Dublin (5 June) as these passengers' passports did not meet the requirements for travel as both passports had expired in 2024. "It is each passenger's responsibility to ensure that their passport is valid for travel in line with the relevant State requirements at the time of travel. These requirements are clearly set out on and passengers are reminded with pop-up messages during booking. "Passengers travelling between Ireland and the UK are required to carry a valid passport for travel. Therefore, as these passengers did not present a valid passport for this flight from London Stansted to Dublin Airport, they were correctly denied boarding."
