Best Countries to Retire Abroad in 2026: Visas, Property Markets & Cost of Living

Published on: April 30, 2026

Quick answer: International Living's 2026 Annual Global Retirement Index put Greece at the top for the first time, ahead of Panama, Costa Rica, Portugal, and Mexico, driven by a 7% flat tax on foreign-source income for 15 years and a comfortable couple's budget of around $2,000–2,700/month. The destination that actually works for you depends on four things: visa accessibility, property market dynamics, healthcare quality, and net cost of living after taxes. Panama's Pensionado (from