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Telegraph
a day ago
- Telegraph
‘I used to feel defined by my salary – moving to France changed that'
In 2001, Andy Turner and his wife Jenny decided to buy a campervan and go travelling around Europe. 'It felt like an itch we needed to scratch. We did 24,000 kilometres and about 20 countries – through the Alps, down to southern Spain, and back up through the Pyrenees.' But it was when they visited a friend in France who was renovating an old property there that the idea of staying on the Continent took hold. 'Little by little, we came to love France. And by the end of the trip we thought, why don't we sell the campervan and use the money to buy somewhere?' says Turner. The six-month sabbatical from work turned into a new life for the couple. They bought a place near Beziers in the South West, in a small village of about 2,500 people, with schools and a hospital nearby and the coast a 40-minute drive away. Andy would split his time between France and their home in Wimbledon, London, for work as a marketing consultant, while Jenny, who had just found out she was pregnant, would stop working for a few years. Now, 20 years later, Andy, 62, has retired to the house in France and spends all of his time there, while Jenny is commuting back to London part-time to her job in financial services. Their children Camille, 20, and Etienne, 17, are both in education. 'I've always had a sense of adventure, but never envisaged myself retiring overseas. My life constantly surprises me,' says Turner. Brexit has hit expats Now Andy is retired, a typical day involves walking his Cocker Spaniel, Obi, and spending time outdoors. He has joined an association that restores dry stone walls and buildings in the local area, and enjoys riding his motorcycle. According to the International Living annual Global Retirement Index report, France is the fifth best place to retire in the world. It is rated for its food, arts and scenery, as well as its healthcare system and affordable property prices. On an overall cost of living index, France and the UK rank similarly, at 63.5 and 63.9 respectively, according to the online database Numbeo. It said the cost of eating out, public transport and utilities are cheaper in France, but groceries are cheaper in the UK. Property prices vary significantly between regions, but it estimates that a non-city centre apartment would cost about £3,247 per square metre, compared to £3,674 in the UK. Andy will receive his full state pension in a few years, having filled in the gaps in his National Insurance contributions. He hasn't yet accessed his private pension savings. 'We're lucky that we have savings and are debt-free, and Jenny is now paying into a company pension,' he says. In France, British expats still get their state pension uprated each year under the triple lock, which guarantees that the payment rises by the highest of inflation, average wage growth or 2.5pc. There are an estimated 150,000 British expats living in France, according to the wealth management company Chase Buchanan. But moving there has become harder since Brexit – you now need a long-stay visa or residence permit to live in the country. This may involve proving your income meets a minimum requirement, based on the French minimum wage – about €1,400 (£1,214) a month after tax – and providing documentation such as your passport and medical insurance, plus details of where you will live. Andy says the family applied for a residence permit based on the UK's Brexit withdrawal agreement: 'It was a lot of work, but we now have a 10-year permit, and have decided to apply for nationality to protect ourselves from any future changes.' Normally you will be deemed a tax resident if you have either lived in France for at least 182 consecutive days or have registered for a residency permit. This means you will be taxed in France on your worldwide income and must submit a tax return. You may also have to submit a UK tax return if some of your income comes from there, but a double tax treaty between the two countries means you should not be taxed twice on the same income. Paying tax in France Income tax works very differently in France, and is levied on household rather than individual income. The family is divided into parts, and their total income split between the parts. The income tax rate you pay depends on this figure. The number of parts is based on the make-up of the household. For example, a married couple would have two parts, and an additional half part for each of the first two children. Income between €11,498 and €29,315is taxed at 11pc, rising to 30pc on income above this threshold and up to €83,823. The top rate of 45pc is paid on earnings above €180,294. There is also an additional high income tax for earnings above €250,000 and €500,000. Similar to our National Insurance contributions, you will also pay a second tax on income known as social charges. 'This is an aggressive tax, but you do get what you pay for in terms of the benefits,' says James Rayburn, from the international financial advice firm Wealth Genesis. 'For example, it is one of the greatest healthcare systems in the world and unemployment rights are very strong.' Bear in mind that France also has an inheritance tax, the rate of which depends on the beneficiary. Spouses, for example, inherit tax-free, while children get a €100,000 tax-free allowance and are then taxed from 5pc to 45pc. Non-relatives have an allowance of just €1,594 and are then taxed at 60pc. Income from investments, such as dividends and capital gains, are taxed at a flat rate of 30pc. Expats should get an S1 form which can reduce this tax rate and exempt them from social charges.' 'The S1 form makes a huge difference to the tax you will pay,' says Rayburn. 'This is important because there are no super-efficient ways to invest in France – there is no equivalent to an Isa or Venture Capital Trusts.' The Assurance Vie is a commonly used option for expats as a tax-efficient way of saving, says Rayburn. This is technically a type of life insurance contract, which can offer inheritance tax benefits, but also allows you to invest in a range of investments, including funds and exchange-traded funds, in a tax-efficient way. An international self-invested personal pension can also be a good choice for those who want to access their retirement savings while living abroad. These let you draw down flexibly on your funds, with the ability to withdraw the cash in different countries and currencies. To avoid being double-taxed or charged emergency tax, be sure to get a nil-rate (NT) code from HM Revenue & Customs, which lets the tax office know that you are no longer resident in the UK. 'Live like a local' Moving to a country where English is not the first language may present a problem for many British expats. 'It's important to learn the language. It's not easy but you have to make the effort,' says Andy. 'If you just socialise with people from your own country, that feels limiting to you as an individual and disrespectful to the people you're living around.' As well as learning French, he says that having children also made it easier to integrate. The biggest downside of living overseas is not being able to see family and friends often. 'You need to consider the extra travel costs if you are visiting several times a year,' says Andy. 'But it does make the time you spend together extra special.' Meanwhile, costs have gone up since Brexit, he says, and travelling back to England can take longer, with more delays at the border. 'We used to easily buy from British companies, but lots of companies won't ship to Europe now, and if they do, you pay an import tax.' But for the most part, he is happy with life in France. 'The best thing about living here is the climate. It has such a huge impact on your life and sense of wellbeing when there are 300 days of sunshine a year,' says Andy. 'In the UK, it feels like you're defined by what job you do, how much money you earn, how big your house is. This has shown me there is another way, and maybe we should all try it.' For anyone considering making the move, he suggests renting a home through different seasons to test the waters first. 'It's all very well going somewhere on holiday, but the place that is vibrant in the summer could be cold and isolated in the winter,' he says. 'Make a list of the things that are important to you, like having schools or the beach within walking distance, and then go and live like a local.'
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Daily Mail
Why I ditched the US in my fifties and moved to this colourful European city
An American expat has shared why she decided to swap one of the most diverse and prosperous states in the US for a city in Europe at the age of 52. In 2023, Cheryl Orlov sold or gave away most of her possessions, including her home and vehicles, packed eight suitcases and made the 'life-changing' decision to move to another part of the world. Having spent more than over 32 years running a furniture store in the South Bay region of California, Orlov admitted she lived a 'comfortable' life surrounded by loved ones, but felt an insatiable 'pull' toward travel. But despite visiting over 40 countries across all seven continents over the years, there were a a number of destinations that hadn't yet reached the business owner's radar - such as Albania. Following a relationship break-up in March 2022, she decided to take the opportunity to start afresh and move to Albania's capital, Tirana. Writing for International Living in March, Orlov explained she first discovered the country whilst reading articles and watching videos about far-flung destinations. She began researching the holiday hotspot, and was left impressed by its slower-paced lifestyle, its diverse, natural beauty and the unmatched hospitality of its local people. In September 2022, Orlov organised a scouting trip to Albania, where she was left awestruck by breathtaking views of the country's 'rugged' landscape and 'sparkling' shores. She added: 'It reminded me of the California I had always wished to see before rapid development took over. I saw a different quality of life.' Drawn to its delicious cuisines, warm hospitality and proximity to other European destinations on her bucket list, Orlov decided to make Albania her new home the following year. Since moving to Tirana, the seasoned solo traveller now enjoys a 'vibrant' social life, opts to 'walk everywhere' instead of driving, and pays significantly less for rent in comparison to California. She said: 'I rent a two-bedroom apartment in Tirana for €500 per month - a price unthinkable in Los Angeles. The affordability extends to every aspect of life: groceries, dining out, and even healthcare.' By regularly attending meet-ups with local community-minded groups, Orlov has managed to create a tight network of friends, which include fellow expats and native Albanians. Away from the bustle of the city, she often spends her time touring agrotourism farms and wineries in the countryside, where she indulges in fresh cheese and seasonal wine. On weekends, she noted the simplicity of being able to take a quick flight to nearby hotspots, such as Greece, North Macedonia and Italy. Orlov also stressed she feels 'incredibly' safe in Albania, more so than she 'ever did back home.' Since moving to Tirana, the seasoned solo traveller now enjoys a 'vibrant' social life, opts to 'walk everywhere' instead of driving, and pays significantly less for rent (Pictured: Air Albania (Arena Kombetare) in Capital of Tiran) She added: 'There is a strong sense of security. People look out for one another. I can walk through the city by day or night without worry. That kind of peace of mind is something I never realised I was missing until I found it.' For Orlov, relocating alone to the other side of the planet has not only enriched her life culturally, but it's given her the opportunity to 'create the life she's always imagined.' She urged those considering a similar move to plan a scouting trip before packing up their belongings. Orlov added: 'Albania isn't for everyone, and it's important to explore different areas in person. I thought I wanted to live by the sea until I visited Tirana. Then I knew I had found my home.'
Newsweek
22-07-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Map Shows Countries Offering Easy Path to Citizenship for Americans
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Interest is growing among Americans who want to leave the United States and find a new home elsewhere, often seeking countries with fast pathways to citizenship, not just legal status. While President Donald Trump has promised that those able to spend at least $5 million can obtain a pathway to U.S. citizenship through his planned Gold Card visa, other countries, including multiple Caribbean nations, are offering speedy citizenship to those willing to spend a fraction of that amount. Other countries, particularly some in Europe, offer pathways to citizenship through descent to those whose grandparents or parents were born there, while others, such as the U.S., offer pathways through naturalization or spending a qualifying amount of time in the country. One of the organizations that helps Americans with such pathways is International Living. Ted Baumann, the organization's chief of global diversification, told Newsweek that there has been a noticeable shift in recent months. "There are two main groups. The first one, which is actually the smaller group, are those diversifying their wealth outside the U.S. Dollar and outside the U.S. financial system, because they are deeply concerned about its future," Baumann, based in South Africa, said. "The other group are the people who are appalled by what's happening in the United States. I guess you would call them liberals, in American language, but effectively they are people who have modern sensibilities, they think of the world in globalist terms, they're not stuck on the United States as Number One, and they want to get out." Upwards of 20 countries offer fast-track citizenship, including several Caribbean nations, but this process can take anywhere from three months to three years, depending on the specific requirements. Americans may be seeking a second citizenship for various reasons, including dissatisfaction with the current administration, as Baumann has observed a growing number of LGBTQ+ individuals and Jewish people seeking residency outside the U.S. Others are simply seeking better tax advantages and easier global mobility. "The world is a big place, there are plenty of places you can be happy, there are plenty of places you can do well financially and protect your wealth," Baumann said. Younger people are increasingly considering their residency and citizenship options, compared to a few months ago, when it was typically middle-aged or retired individuals who wanted to spend part of the year in the South of France, for example. Citizenship by Descent Some European countries offer citizenship to those with ancestors who originated there, such as Portugal, Ireland and Italy. GovAssist, another organization working in the field, explained in a July 7 article that individuals seeking a second passport in these countries would enjoy greater financial and personal freedom, including the ability to travel visa-free. With a large proportion of Americans having immigrant roots, particularly from European nations many decades ago, Baumann said that several U.S. citizens who have held onto the idea of obtaining a second passport someday in the future are now taking steps to make it happen. Stock image of a visa for Spain tucked inside a passport. Stock image of a visa for Spain tucked inside a passport. Getty Images "What most people want is the right to live somewhere," Baumann said. "That when they decide to get on a plane and fly abroad, they don't have to come back in 90 days. That's the first thing that people are looking for." He added that 90 percent of Americans he speaks with simply want a residency that may or may not eventually lead to citizenship. However, more countries are looking to tighten restrictions on who can get a passport, making citizenship a more urgent goal. Until recently in Italy, Italian Americans who could prove ancestry back to the 1800s could gain citizenship. Now, this is limited to parents and, in some cases, grandparents. Some of these pathways are not as fast as obtaining citizenship through financial means, but Ireland and Poland can process applications in between six and 18 months in some cases. Citizenship by Investment or Donation The other common route to residency or citizenship is through investment or donation, with multiple Caribbean nations offering this pathway with short time frames. Saint Kitts and Nevis, which has one of the longest-running citizenship-by-investment programs, can process applications in as little as four months, following a minimum investment of at least $250,000. Elsewhere, the governments of Moldova and North Macedonia don't require investments, but rather donations between $100,000 and $200,000. For some nations, citizenship by investment has become a lucrative option for governments that do not receive significant income from their citizens. Baumann said the turmoil in the U.S. economy earlier this year, brought about in part by tariff threats from the White House, caused Americans to consider moving themselves or their assets elsewhere. Despite the recovery in May, tariffs are back on the cards. "Now it's going this way again and they're just saying: 'I gotta get off this rollercoaster,'" Baumann said. "It's not just people who don't like Trump; it's people who maybe voted for Trump and maybe recognize that one of the costs of supporting Trump is that it might hurt their wealth, and so they're very quietly moving their own wealth outside the United States." Until recently, International Living received few inquiries about obtaining a Caribbean passport; however, interest has sharply risen in the last few weeks. Not all nations require individuals to reside there. One caveat is how the rest of the world views such passports, as the European Union does not offer visa-free travel to these nations. Whichever route Americans looking to emigrate choose to go down, one thing is clear to Baumann, who has noticed time becoming a critical factor for those who want as quick an exit from the U.S. as possible. "People are freaked out, there's no question about it," Baumann said. "This is not a normal situation."
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Travel + Leisure
21-07-2025
- Travel + Leisure
This Gorgeous Island Was Just Named the No. 1 Retirement Spot for Americans in Greece
Greece doesn't even crack the top 20 most popular countries for American expats, according to data from World Population Review. And that feels like a mistake, considering the European nation is filled with stunning mountains, historic cities, and seaside towns. But nothing quite compares to the beauty of the Greek Islands, which make for a picture-perfect retirement destination. While there are around 100 inhabited islands in the archipelago, there's one particular island that International Living says is heads and shoulders above the rest as the ultimate place to spend your golden years. In late June, the website dedicated to helping expats find their perfect home abroad shared its list of the six best Greek islands for retirement. And the list comes from one very knowledgeable source: Lynn Roulo, an American expat now living in Athens, Greece. According to Roulo, her top pick for retirees looking for a top-notch spot to spend their golden years is the largest island in Greece, Crete, as it "combines the best of Greek island living with practical advantages like top-notch healthcare, reliable accessibility, major universities, and solid infrastructure." An older couple walking through an olive grove in island, home to about 600,000 people, is like a mini-country in its own right. As Roulo noted, it stretches on for 3,260 square miles, punctuated by small cities, quaint towns with white-washed buildings and blue roofs, and country farms in its rolling hillsides. "Whether you prefer urban energy, peaceful seaside villages, or quiet mountain retreats, you'll find it here, all within a few hours' drive," Roulo added. As Travel + Leisure previously shared, Crete is an excellent place for those who love history, thanks to sites like the Palace of Knossos, the island's most iconic archaeological site. "Crete's most famous archaeological site is the great Minoan Palace of Knossos, the oldest, largest, and most elaborate of these sites," Peter Sommer of Peter Sommer Travels shared. "In its wide courts, shaded colonnades, and intricate arrangements of room after room, floor after floor, one can really come to grips with a civilization from far back in the Bronze Age, and grapple with questions that are still hotly debated – what did these palaces look like, what were they for, who lived in them, and how did they function?" And it's a fantastic place for those who love the outdoors, with destinations like Samaria Gorge, which will take you on a 10-mile hike through Crete's White Mountains. And naturally, there are plenty of beaches to relax on, including the famed Elafonissi Beach, known for its pink sand created by millions of crushed seashells. Roulo added that the island is also well-connected to the rest of the world, thanks to its two international airports (Heraklion and Chania) and ferry ports. Healthcare is also relatively accessible thanks to the University General Hospital of Heraklion. Crete also "has large supermarkets and chain stores, including Lidl, and starting in 2025, Heraklion will be home to a newly opened IKEA," Roulo said. Other spots to make Roulo's list include Corfu, Syros, Naxos, Rhodes, and Evia. As for how you can make the leap to the Aegean nation, the best option may be the Greece Retirement Visa, otherwise known as the Greece FIP visa, which offers temporary residency to non-EU citizens that can show passive earnings of at least €3,500 (about $4,100) per month, according to Lincoln Global Partners. See more about the visa process and start your application at
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Travel + Leisure
14-07-2025
- Travel + Leisure
These Are the Best Cities in the World to Retire for $1,500 or Less a Month
Getting to a comfortable place financially is certainly the common goal. However, saving up all those dollars and cents so you can enjoy those golden years seems to be getting harder and harder. There is, however, one easy solution: moving to a destination where your money stretches further. And, according to a new list by International Living, there are plenty of places you can live for just $1,500 a month as a senior citizen. "While the costs of everyday life may be rising back home, there are places overseas where $1,500 a month covers you for housing, healthcare, food, fun … the whole nine yards," the website dedicated to helping expats live their best lives, shared. "And that's for a couple. If you're flying solo, you can call these places home for even less." According to the site, the Iberian Peninsula reigns supreme when it comes to affordable retirement living. It named Bragança, a city in northern Portugal, as a top spot thanks to its furnished apartments, which can be rented for about $400 to $500 a month. It also noted that the cost of living here is also rather affordable, with electricity, water, and internet costing about $150 a month. Access to health care is also easy, thanks to private health insurance, which costs around $100 a month. Add in a $400 food budget and $30 for transportation, and you're squared away for a retirement under $1500 a month. Also joining Bragança is the city of Covilhã, located in central Portugal, where you can also find one-bedroom apartments for about $500 a month. Here, International Living shared, a meal out at an inexpensive restaurant can go for as little as $8.50 per person, while groceries remain affordable, too, with "a liter of milk, a loaf of bread, a dozen eggs, a pound of beef, a pound of cheese, and a bottle of wine" totaling around $15. International Living added, "With utilities (electricity, phone, Internet) averaging $175, a couple can live comfortably within a $1,500 budget while still having funds for travel and savings." Joining Portugal are three destinations in Spain, including Oviedo, close to the Bay of Biscay, where retirees can snag a furnished one-bedroom apartment for about $630 per month, while utilities average about $185, and a monthly public transportation pass costs $34. Alicante, Spain, also made the list, where you can get a city apartment or an ocean-view spot for less than $700 a month. Granada, Spain, rounded out the list; here you can get a city apartment for $600 a month and the overall cost of living for two people averages just $1,000 a month. Of course, there are other places outside the peninsula that made the list, including several spots in Mexico, Malaysia, and more spread across Asia. See all the places you can move for an affordable retirement at
