Guides to retiring abroad
Clear answers to the questions every future retiree asks: pensions and social security abroad, healthcare, taxes, property and settling in. Every fact is sourced and dated.
Trying a country before you moveTest a retirement country first: visa-free stays for US, Canadian and UK passports, the Schengen 90/180 rule, renting for a season, and what to check there.
Visa documents and apostillesThe paperwork behind a retirement visa: criminal records, proof of income, apostilles, sworn translations and how recent each document must be, in 20 countries.
Health insurance for retirees abroadHow retirees get health cover abroad: local public systems, keeping cover from home (S1, Medicare), private insurance by age and visa rules, in 20 countries.
Taxes on your pensions abroadWho taxes your pension when you retire abroad: tax residency, what treaties say, how 20 countries tax foreign pensions, special regimes, and home-country rules.
For Americans: Social Security and Medicare abroadRetiring abroad as an American: does Social Security follow you, how you get paid, what to report, how it is taxed in 20 countries, and keeping Medicare Part B.
Moving your money abroadPaying for a retirement abroad: receiving your pension, a local bank account, the real cost of monthly currency exchange, currency risk and accounts to declare.
Buying property as a foreignerCan foreigners buy a home where they retire? Restricted zones and condo quotas, purchase costs from 2% to 11%, renting first, and title checks in 20 countries.
Moving your belongings, car and petsRetiring abroad with your belongings: duty-free import of household goods, shipping or buying a car, driving licences, and bringing a dog or cat.
Wills and inheritance in two countriesRetiring abroad with assets in two countries: which inheritance law applies, the EU rule, inheritance taxes in 20 countries, and whether to make a local will.
Coming back homePlanning a return after retiring abroad: health cover on the way back (Medicare, NHS, Canada), tax steps in both countries, pensions, property and paperwork.