Everything You Need to Know About Retiring Abroad

Retiring Overseas: Here's What You Need to Know

By Jeremy Bowman – Updated Mar 17, 2025 at 12:10 PM

Key Points

Many retiring abroad enjoy lower living costs and affordable healthcare outside the U.S.
Popular retirement destinations include Panama for its tax incentives and Portugal for mild climate.
Before settling, understand local residency, healthcare systems, and potential retiree benefits.

For many Americans, retiring abroad is a dream. You might envision relaxing on a beautiful beach, waltzing through the streets of Europe, or starting a new adventure somewhere where the dollar goes much further. Retiring abroad can offer a number of benefits, including a lower cost of living, the ability to travel, and the opportunity to immerse yourself in a new culture.

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Chania, Crete, Greece. — Image source: Getty Images.

If you're considering retiring abroad or looking for more information, keep reading to learn more about the reasons to retire abroad, which destination to choose, and how to handle important details like getting a visa, establishing residency, and handling healthcare.

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Federal Income Tax

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About the Author

Jeremy Bowman has been a contributing Motley Fool stock market analyst, covering technology, consumer goods, and macroeconomic trends since 2011. Before The Motley Fool, Jeremy was a newspaper reporter, restaurant manager, and English teacher abroad. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Colorado College and a master’s degree in business administration from American University. One of his Motley Fool headlines was briefly featured on Late Night with Stephen Colbert.

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