For some people, retirement means staying close to home, family and familiar surroundings.
For others, it means something completely different.
Maybe you’ve always imagined spending more time in the sunshine. Perhaps you want a slower pace of life, more time outdoors or the chance to wake up somewhere that feels like a holiday.
And with tax and pension rules changing in the UK, more people are starting to think seriously about whether their retirement could work better somewhere else.
But choosing where to retire isn’t simply about finding the country with the lowest tax bill.
It’s about finding somewhere that works for your lifestyle, your finances and your plans for the future.
So, if you’re considering a move abroad, here are 10 countries worth putting on your list.
A note before we start: there isn’t one universally “best” country to retire to. Different countries will suit different people, and rules around visas, tax, healthcare and pensions can change. Think of this as a starting point for your research, rather than a definitive ranking.
1. Spain
Spain remains one of the most familiar choices for British retirees, and it’s not difficult to see why.
The climate, food, culture and outdoor lifestyle are obvious attractions, while established British communities can make the transition feel a little less daunting.
There’s also plenty of choice. You could opt for coastal living, a quieter inland location or somewhere with the energy of a city.
Spain continues to feature strongly in 2026 retirement research, particularly for its lifestyle, healthcare and established expat communities.
But don’t assume that moving to Spain automatically means paying less tax.
Your tax position will depend on your circumstances and Spanish rules, alongside the UK’s rules around residency and income. Your pensions, investments, property and other assets all need to be considered.
Best suited to: Someone looking for sunshine, established communities and a European lifestyle.
2. Portugal
Portugal has been a popular destination for British retirees for years.
The Algarve is perhaps the obvious choice, but there is much more to Portugal than its coastline. Lisbon, Porto and smaller towns can offer very different lifestyles.
It’s also a relatively easy destination to reach from the UK, which can be important if you expect to travel back regularly to see family and friends.
Portugal continues to appear among the leading retirement destinations in 2026 research, although its tax and residency landscape has changed over time.
That’s an important lesson in itself.
If you’re considering moving somewhere because of a particular tax advantage, make sure you’re looking at the current rules, rather than information you found online five or ten years ago.
Best suited to: Someone looking for European sunshine, good connectivity to the UK and a well-established international community.
3. Cyprus
If your ideal retirement involves sunshine, outdoor living and plenty of time by the sea, Cyprus is an obvious contender.
English is widely spoken and there is an established British community, while the island’s relatively small size means you can get around without feeling like you’re constantly travelling.
Cyprus was joint top in one 2026 ranking of retirement destinations for Britons, with the research highlighting its climate, lifestyle and tax environment.
As always, though, tax advantages should be viewed as one part of the decision, rather than the entire reason for moving.
Healthcare, residency requirements, property costs and how your existing financial arrangements will be treated are all worth investigating.
Best suited to: Someone who wants Mediterranean living without being too far from the UK.
4. Ireland
Ireland might not be the first country that comes to mind when you picture retiring abroad.
But perhaps it should be.
For UK citizens, the Common Travel Area provides a significant practical advantage, allowing British and Irish citizens to live, work and retire in either country without requiring a visa or formal residency application in the same way as many other destinations.
There’s also the obvious benefit of being close to family and friends in the UK.
You won’t get the guaranteed sunshine of Cyprus or Spain, but you might get something that’s more important to some people: an easier transition and the ability to remain relatively close to home.
Best suited to: Someone who wants to live abroad without feeling too far away from the UK.
5. Malta
Malta offers another combination that can be attractive to British retirees: Mediterranean weather, English as an official language and relatively easy access to the UK.
It also has a well-established international community.
Malta featured highly in 2026 retirement research, with its climate, healthcare access and connectivity among the factors highlighted.
But Malta is not simply “Britain in the sunshine”. The cost of property, residency arrangements, healthcare and taxation all need to be considered based on your own circumstances.
Best suited to: Someone looking for Mediterranean living with a strong English-speaking environment.
6. Greece
Greece offers a very different vision of retirement.
Think outdoor living, warm weather, coastal communities, good food and a slower pace of life.
And while the Greek islands may be the dream, mainland Greece can offer a much wider range of locations and lifestyles.
Greece continues to appear in current international retirement rankings, with its climate and lifestyle among the attractions for people looking overseas.
The important thing is not to choose a country based on a holiday.
Living somewhere for 20 or 30 years is very different from spending two weeks there in August.
Try living there for a longer period before making any permanent decisions.
Best suited to: Someone looking for a relaxed, outdoor Mediterranean lifestyle.
7. Italy
Italy can offer almost every type of retirement lifestyle you could imagine.
Coastal living. Countryside. Mountains. Historic towns. Bustling cities.
And, of course, food.
Italy has also featured among the leading destinations in 2026 retirement research.
For anyone considering Italy, the region you choose can make a huge difference to your experience and your finances.
Rather than thinking “I want to retire to Italy”, it may be more useful to ask:
“Where in Italy would I actually want to live?”
That’s a much bigger question.
Best suited to: Someone looking for culture, food, variety and a slower pace of life.
8. Mauritius
If you’re prepared to look further afield, Mauritius offers something very different.
It’s an island lifestyle with warm weather, beaches and a strong international community. It has also featured near the top of 2026 global retirement rankings, with tax considerations, quality of life and residency factors contributing to its position.
The distance from the UK is obviously something to think carefully about.
For some people, that’s part of the appeal. For others, being a long flight away from children and grandchildren could quickly outweigh the benefits.
Best suited to: Someone who prioritises climate, outdoor living and an international lifestyle.
9. Uruguay
Uruguay may not be the first place you think of when considering retirement abroad.
But perhaps that’s why it’s worth looking at.
It topped the 2026 Global Retirement Index, which considered factors including quality of life, mobility, tax considerations, residency and investment requirements.
Montevideo offers a city lifestyle, while other parts of the country provide a much quieter pace.
Of course, Uruguay is a long way from the UK, so this is likely to appeal more to someone who is genuinely looking for a new chapter rather than simply a warmer place to spend a few months each year.
Best suited to: Someone willing to look beyond the traditional European retirement destinations.
10. Costa Rica
Costa Rica offers yet another version of retirement.
For people who value nature, outdoor living and a warmer climate, it can be an attractive option.
It also featured highly in the 2026 Global Retirement Index, which highlighted its combination of lifestyle and residency considerations.
As with Mauritius and Uruguay, the distance from the UK is something to think about carefully.
A retirement destination needs to work on ordinary Tuesday mornings too, not just when you’re imagining yourself sitting on a beach.
Best suited to: Someone who prioritises nature, outdoor living and a very different lifestyle from the UK.
So, which country is actually right for you?
That’s the difficult bit.
There isn’t a single country that is “best” for everyone.
The right choice depends on what you want your retirement to look like.
Before making a decision, it’s worth asking yourself:
☀️ What do I actually want my retirement to look like?
Do you want sunshine and beaches?
Or would you rather be somewhere with great restaurants, culture, countryside, golf, hiking or easy access to family?
Start with the life you want to live, rather than the country you think you should choose.
💷 How much will that lifestyle cost?
A lower cost of living can make your retirement income go further.
But property, healthcare, insurance, travel and other costs can vary significantly between countries.
Work out what your desired lifestyle will actually cost before assuming your existing retirement income will be enough.
🏥 What about healthcare?
Healthcare is easy to overlook when you’re healthy.
It becomes much more important when you’re 10, 20 or 30 years into retirement.
Find out what healthcare you will have access to, what you will need to pay for and what happens as you get older.
The UK Government specifically recommends researching healthcare arrangements before moving abroad, including how you will access treatment in your destination country.
💰 What happens to my pensions and investments?
This is where things can become more complicated.
You may still be able to receive your UK State Pension while living abroad, but whether it increases each year depends on where you live. Annual increases are generally available in the EEA, Gibraltar, Switzerland and countries with certain social security agreements with the UK, although there are exceptions.
Your private and workplace pensions also need to be considered.
The tax treatment of pension income can depend on both the country where you live and the terms of any double-taxation agreement with the UK.
🏠 What will happen to your UK property?
Will you sell your home before moving?
Rent it out?
Keep it as a base in the UK?
Or perhaps downsize first?
There isn’t a universal right answer, but the decision can have implications for your cash flow, tax position and overall financial plan.
👨👩👧 How important is being close to family?
This might be the most important question of all.
A destination can look perfect on paper, but if you’re spending thousands every year flying back to the UK because you miss your family, your original calculations may look very different.
Think about how often you realistically want to come home.
📋 What are the residency and tax rules?
This is the part that deserves proper research.
Moving abroad does not automatically mean that your UK tax affairs disappear.
You may still have UK tax obligations, particularly if you retain UK income or property, while your new country may also have its own rules around your worldwide income and assets. The UK has double-taxation agreements with many countries, but the outcome depends on the country and your individual circumstances.
And for longer-term UK residents, there are additional Inheritance Tax considerations. Since April 2025, the UK has used a long-term UK residence test for certain Inheritance Tax purposes, and someone can remain within the long-term UK resident rules for a period after leaving the UK.
So, if tax is one of the reasons you’re considering a move, make sure you understand the whole picture, rather than focusing on one headline tax rate.
Don’t choose your retirement destination based on a holiday
This might be the biggest mistake people make.
A two-week holiday can make almost anywhere look fantastic.
Retiring there is different.
You need to think about the supermarket run, healthcare, driving, bills, friendships, family visits, rainy days, property maintenance and what happens when you’re 75 or 85.
In other words:
Don’t just ask where you’d like to holiday. Ask where you’d like to live.
And ideally, spend a decent amount of time there before making the move permanent.
Your retirement plan should travel with you
Moving abroad can be an exciting opportunity to rethink what retirement looks like.
But your financial plan needs to move with you.
Your pensions, investments, property, income, tax position and estate planning don’t suddenly become irrelevant because you’ve changed your postcode.
In fact, moving abroad can make your financial planning more complicated.
For some people, the answer may be a permanent move.
For others, it could be spending part of the year abroad while keeping a home in the UK.
And for someone else, they may discover that the retirement they’ve imagined is perfectly achievable without moving at all.
The important thing is working out what you actually want your retirement to look like, then understanding what your finances need to do to make it possible.
That’s where Lifestyle Financial Planning comes in.
At Jones & Co, we believe retirement planning should start with your life, not simply your pension pot.
Because the question isn’t just:
“Can I afford to retire?”
It’s:
“Can I afford to live the retirement I actually want?”
Book a free discovery meeting with our lifestyle financial planning advisors today: https://calendly.com/advice-team-jnc
