A popular tourist destination known for its sunny shores and impressive beaches has been named the best country to retire abroad this year.
It has beaten other holiday hotspots such as Thailand and Colombia, as well as popular retirement spots France and Spain.
The findings come in the Retirement Abroad Index 2026, a research report published by Expatriate Group, a specialist provider of international health insurance with experience serving expats and retirees across 180 countries.
The index ranked 20 countries across five categories: healthcare quality, visa accessibility, health insurance requirements, cost of living, and expat community and integration.
Lee Gerry, director of Expatriate Group, said: ‘Retiring abroad has never been more achievable, but the decisions that matter most – healthcare access, visa routes, and the reality of day-to-day costs – are often the least well understood.
‘This index is designed to cut through the noise and give people an honest, data-led picture of where the real opportunities are.’
Here’s a full rundown of the best places to retire in 2026…
1. Philippines
Taking the top spot in the list of best retirement spots is the Philippines
The Philippines tops the index, scoring highly for visa accessibility, affordability, and expat integration.
Its Special Resident Retiree’s Visa is among the most accessible in the world, with a fixed deposit requirement of approximately £11,000 for pension holders.
Unwind in peace on the beaches of the Philippines, hailed for their quiet vibe and spacious shores.
2. Thailand
If beaches, temples and food are your top requirements, check out Thailand for retirement
Thailand finishes second with the joint-highest healthcare score in the entire index, alongside Spain and France.
Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket offer internationally recognised private hospital networks.
Thailand achieved the maximum score of 20 out of 20 for health insurance requirement, reflecting mandatory insurance conditions built into their retirement visa programmes. The country’s Non-Immigrant O-A Visa requires cover of at least $100,000 (approximately £74,000) per policy per year as a condition of the visa.
3. Colombia
In third place, taking home the prestigious bronze medal, is Colombia
Colombia takes third place, driven by one of the most accessible retirement visa pathways in the index and a cost of living score of 18 out of 20.
A retired couple can typically live comfortably in the city of Medellín on around £1,000 to £1,500 per month, for instance.
Medellín offers constant spring-like weather, low food costs, and the vibrant energy of a city that has reinvented itself over time.
4. Portugal
Hardly a surprising addition to the list, Portugal comes in fourth place
Portugal is the highest-ranked European destination, coming in fourth place, supported by its D7 Passive Income Visa and strong private healthcare sector.
Portugal’s favourable climates, access to healthcare and low crime levels explain its high ranking.
It has been ranked among top retirement spot lists in the past, including coming fourth in the UK Retirement Destinations Attractiveness Report 2026.
=5. Sri Lanka
In joint fifth place is Sri Lanka, known for its magnificent scenery and sunshine
Sri Lanka, the increasingly popular tourist destination, is also gaining traction as a tropical retirement option.
The country has a special Retirement Guest Visa for foreign nationals over the age of 55, and the low cost of living here makes it an attractive option.
For instance, according to Numbeo, a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant costs just £14.35, while rent for a one-bedroom property is around £253.
=5. South Africa
South Africa ranks in joint fifth place too, hailed for its scenery, beaches and vineyards
Another top choice is South Africa – indeed, there are around 40,000 Brits living in South Africa, according to Everything Overseas.
The most popular cities are Cape Town and Johannesburg – the former for incredible beaches, a laid-back vibe and proximity to winelands, and the latter a buzzing business centre.
Also, the lower cost of living in South Africa makes it an attractive prospect.
=6. Malaysia
Next up is Malaysia, joining the list of best retirement spots in 2026
Malaysia also scored well, coming in sixth place.
Despite recent changes to visa tiers, Malaysia offers lower costs than the UK, alongside favourable treatment of foreign income in many cases.
The tropical weather, as well as the common use of English, adds to the appeal of this country as a retirement destination.
=6. UAE
Dubai has been considered a popular retirement spot in recent years
Skyscrapers, luxurious shopping malls and year-round sun often draw people to the United Arab Emirates – especially those considering retirement.
Dubai also achieved the maximum score of 20 out of 20 for health insurance requirements, reflecting its strength in terms of healthcare, a key priority for many retirees.
A favourite among Brits, however, Dubai has seen a decline of late as a result of the ongoing Middle East war.
7. Mexico
Taking spot number seven on the list is Mexico – famed for its beaches and food
Mexico has just been ranked as the happiest and most affordable country for Brits to move to in 2026 – and it comes seventh in the list of best places to retire.
With living costs totalling an accessible £1,081 per month and happiness scoring 6.98 out of ten, Mexico offers the cheapest way to enjoy a high-quality lifestyle abroad.
It’s also perfect for soaking up some vitamin D, with the capital Mexico City enjoying an average of 2,529 hours of sunshine annually, according to Weather and Climate.
=8. Spain
In joint eighth place is Spain, known for its magnificent beaches and sunshine
Spain finishes joint eighth, also scoring 18 out of 20 for healthcare but constrained by living costs and visa complexity.
Boasting sandy beaches, a relaxed lifestyle and good weather, Spain has drawn countless Brits to move over to its sunny shores for years.
It also boasts many of the world’s best beaches: this year, Spain hit a new record, with 794 beaches awarded the prestigious ‘Blue Flag’ title – 151 of which can be found across the popular Costa Blanca region.
=8. Indonesia
Indonesia ranks in joint eighth place too, hailed for its scenery and beautiful temples
Scoring well on visa accessibility and cost of living, Indonesia takes the next spot in the retirement ranking.
Bali is perhaps the best-known destination in Indonesia among expats and retirees, conjuring up images of a laid-back lifestyle, focus on wellness and great beaches.
But elsewhere in the country are equally appealing options: Lombok is known for its relaxed pace, while Jakarta offers a buzzing city lifestyle.
9. Panama
Taking position number nine on the list is lesser-known Panama
Panama has emerged as a top choice for expats and retirees in recent years thanks to its tropical climate, vibrant culture and favourable tax systems.
The country’s ‘Pensionado’ programme also provides a range of discounts that support overall affordability.
For the Pensionado Visa, retirees only need to prove US$1,000 (£738) monthly in lifetime income, plus an additional $250 (£184) for each dependent.
The visa also provides discounts for retirees, referred to as ‘jubilado’, if you meet the age requirements of 55 years old for women, and 60 years old for men. These include 50 per cent off entertainment, 30 to 50 per cent off hotels, 30 per cent off public transport, 25 per cent off airfares and utilities, 20 per cent off restaurants and doctors – and more.
10. Qatar
Rounding out the top 10 best spots to retire abroad is Qatar
Qatar takes the tenth place in the list, ranking highly for its healthcare quality – and scoring decently for its expat community and integration.
Qatar is often cited as one of the safest countries in the world, boasting a high safety index of 84.1 out of 100 as of 2025.
It also features modern infrastructure, high-quality healthcare and a plethora of international schools and family-friendly attractions.
