The Expatriate Group, a specialist provider of international health insurance, has released its Retirement Abroad Index for 2026, ranking the best countries for British retirees. The report evaluates 20 countries based on healthcare, visa accessibility, health insurance requirements, cost of living, and community integration.
Top 10 Retirement Destinations
The Philippines tops the list with its Special Resident Retiree's Visa, requiring a fixed deposit of approximately £11,000 for pension holders. It offers serene beaches, mesmerizing landscapes, and high affordability.
Thailand ranks second, scoring 20 out of 20 on healthcare, with private hospital networks in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket. Its Non-Immigrant O-A Visa requires minimum coverage of $100,000 per year.
Colombia takes third place with an accessible retirement visa and a cost of living score of 18 out of 20. A retired couple can live comfortably in Medellín on £1,000 to £1,500 per month.
Portugal is the first European country at fourth place. Joint fifth are Sri Lanka and South Africa, followed by Malaysia and the UAE in sixth. Mexico ranks seventh.
Spain, a popular choice for Brits, only ranks eighth, tied with Indonesia. Spain scores high on healthcare but suffers from high living costs and visa complexity. Indonesia is known for its laid-back lifestyle and wellness culture, especially in Bali.
Panama ranks ninth, with its Pensionado programme offering discounts and requiring a monthly lifetime income of about £738 plus £184 per dependent. Qatar rounds out the top ten.
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."
