The 13 Cheapest Countries To Retire To

For those of us nearing a well-deserved retirement, the question of how to afford a better lifestyle in retirement without breaking the bank is vital. No wonder many are researching the cheapest countries to retire to abroad, where our income will stretch further.

However, when exploring various cheapest countries to retire to, it is essential to find the right balance between “cheap” and “quality.”

This will ensure that your retirement years are blessed not just with stunning views and climate but also with decent healthcare, infrastructure, and other valuable gifts of civilization.

1. Cuba

Until recently, Cuba wasn’t even considered a suitable holiday destination, let alone a convenient place to retire abroad.

However, with the easing of America’s aggressive position on this tiny Caribbean country and the increase in its favorable profile internationally, many intrepid expatriates have now decided to call Cuba home.

They have found a relatively peaceful country where integration is possible as long as you speak Spanish and where the cost of living is incredibly affordable. 

Rent is 51% cheaper in Cuba than in the UK and 61% cheaper than in the USA. Eating out will cost you 54% less if you are a Brit and 50% less if you are a US citizen. Groceries are 17% cheaper than in the UK and 31% cheaper than in the US.

The income tax rate varies from 10% on up to $6,000 to 50% on over $60,000.

Healthcare in Cuba is universally accessible – and the country has one of the highest doctor-to-patient ratios in the world. 

Yes, facilities can be poor and supplies limited at times, but life expectancy in the country is on par with that in America. So, medical needs should not be a factor against Cuba as a retirement destination abroad.

Besides, paid hospitals and clinics for foreigners and tourists are very well equipped, and prices for various medical procedures can be up to 80% lower than in the US.

2. Bulgaria

According to Eurostat, Bulgaria enjoys the lowest prices for goods and services across all EU member states. Although it is now seeing some producer price inflation, the nature of the economic situation across Europe, particularly within the eurozone, means that prices remain restricted in Bulgaria.

There are pros and cons to living in Bulgaria in retirement.

The paperwork can be quite confusing, and to truly integrate, you do need to learn the language. You might also find that infrastructure is lacking in some places.

However, the cost of living stays low, and the property prices are affordable. And this is exactly why Bulgaria is such an attractive destination for expat retirees.

Living outside the main towns and cities is cheap by most people’s standards, with real estate still available for rent and to purchase at acceptable levels as long as you avoid the summer or winter resorts. 

Even if you choose to live in Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital, you will be pleasantly surprised by how affordable day-to-day expenses are.

For more information on moving and settling down in Bulgaria, read our Living In Bulgaria guide.

3. Malaysia

You may have a relatively fixed preconception about Malaysia, and most people do, that it is too exotic, too foreign, too tropical, too expensive, too far away. 

However, the one thing about Malaysia that is universally true is that you have to see it to believe it.  And to see it, you must visit, travel, and stay for an extended period. Only then do you get anywhere close to seeing the many sides of this incredible destination.

It is a vibrant, beautiful, peaceful, exotic, tropical, accessible, and relatively affordable country to live in. 

You have the fast pace of life in cities like Kuala Lumpur, and you have tourist-dominated resorts such as Langkawi – great to visit, but not ideal to retire to if you want affordable peace.

So, step off the beaten track, and what will you find? 

People who learn to speak English at school from a very young age. Well-educated people who have access to superior medical facilities in urban areas and can live on minimal budgets the further away from urbanization you move.

You will find stunning tropical beaches that you will previously only have ever dreamed of, incredible flora and fauna, a rich cultural heritage, and cheap property.

A growing number of expatriates are lured not only by the lifestyle but also by the tax incentives of Malaysia’s My Second Home Programme. What you find here is your paradise on earth.  And you won’t know until you visit!

4. Panama

You can live like a millionaire on a millionaire’s lavish salary in Panama – or you can enjoy a comfortable, modest, and decent standard of living on a fair amount of money in Panama. 

Therefore, Panama is proof that ‘cheap’ is a relative term, but that you can ‘afford’ to live in Panama no matter how close the concept of cheap is for you!

Panama City is an embodiment of a cheap luxury lifestyle.

You can enjoy your apartment with a sea view and all the amenities a modern apartment complex can offer (including gyms, pools, and bars). You can hire a maid, a chef, and a driver and rent a beach home to escape to at the weekends – you can have it all and more for as little as $5,000 a month.

If you move away from the high rise, glitz, and glamour of Panama City and get into the heart of the country, discover where real estate is more affordable because there is less employment, and you will find your money goes far in Panama.

Our guide on Best Places To Live In Panama is a perfect place to start looking for your ideal location.

Moreover, because of this nation’s exceptional strategic importance, it is heavily watched and protected by the likes of the US, which has massive reliance upon the Panama Canal. 

This will likely prevent serious political or economic upheaval in the future, making your cost of living and affordability far more stable and less likely to be undermined by heavy inflation or strong currency fluctuations ‘in-country.’ 

Also in this country’s favor are their benefits for retirees, such as discounts on entertainment and even doctor’s visits. For more information, read our Retiring To Panama Guide.

5. Belize

Belize can be of interest to you because it offers the Qualified Retired Persons Programme that allows qualifying individuals to live tax-free in Belize.  Naturally, without the erosion of taxation on your income, you will have up to 50% more to play with!

If you are 45 or older and your minimum monthly income is equivalent to $2,000.00, – that’s all you need to participate in the program. You can also include your spouse and dependents in your application.

The downside of the program is that the years spent in the country as a Qualified Retired Person will not count towards the years required to apply for permanent residence.

Also, you cannot seek employment, but business investments are actively encouraged.

On the plus side, apart from tax-free living, retirees under this program can import their personal effects without paying import duties.

Belize, like Panama, is well protected externally, this time by the UK.  Moreover, English is Belize’s business language, and the locals welcome English-speaking expats. 

Move away from the main tourist hangouts and the most built-up areas, and you will discover how far your tax-free income can take you.

Discover more in our Living In Belize guide for expats.

6. Turkey

Turkey is a popular choice among expats looking for sun, beaches, amenities, and a low cost of living while being able to live tax-free. Turkey does not tax retirement income, so whatever you have in your retirement is all yours to spend.

As an expat, you will likely be attracted to the most popular coastal destinations in Turkey, but step away from them and off the beaten track, and you will find a place for you according to your level of affordability. 

Retiring to Turkey offers quite a lot: low cost of living, decent infrastructure, an opportunity to buy inexpensive property, and good quality affordable private healthcare.

The main disadvantage is the fact that bureaucracy is difficult to navigate if you do not know the language.

Like with any location, it is important to consider all the pros and cons of living in Turkey before making your decision.

7. The Philippines

The Philippines is another country that offers a retired person’s incentive program, the ‘Special Resident Retiree’s Visa’.

The program’s perks are substantial –  it entitles the holder to multiple-entry privileges with the right to stay permanently in the Philippines.

You can earn your pension and annuity income tax-free under this program and come and go to and from the country as often as you like.  You can also import your belongings tax-free.

What’s more, the benefit of this program is that it’s open to you from age 35 and still allows you to work in the nation (if you want to).

Suppose you are retiring to the Philippines with a pension in your pocket to qualify for the program. In that case, you need to be 50 + years old, have a deposit equivalent to $10,000 into a Filipino bank, buy a condominium for at least $50,000, and have a pension income of $800 a month for a single applicant and $1000 for a couple (which is just under £650 and £800 respectively).

The main appeal of this year-round tropical country is its low cost of living. You will find that everything is cheaper in the Philippines – property, food, entertainment, domestic help, labor costs, electricity, etc.

You can live in the Philippines for $1,000 a month, but to have a really comfortable life, you need a bit more than that.

What do you get for this? It is a tropical paradise with pristine beaches, cheap living, and friendly, smiling people. Eating out, traveling around, having domestic help, and never watching your money. It’s quite a lot for very little.

Find out more in our Moving To The Philippines guide.

Looking where in the Philippines to settle down? Read our guide on the Best Places To Retire In The Philippines.

8. Argentina

Argentina is a shining star among contestants in the “cheapest countries to retire” competition.

This country is a perfect blend of pleasing climate, affordability, and sophistication. It combines stunning landscapes and scenery with the refined architecture of its cities and towns, and its art, music, and literature can satisfy the most demanding connoisseurs.

For most things, the cost of living in Argentina is far cheaper than in the UK or the USA. 

Exceptions may be rentals in the most popular cities’ most stylish quarters. However, if you compare like for like, you should be comparing renting such properties with renting similar properties in Knightsbridge or Manhattan; you will see that Argentina is so much cheaper.

Food and excellent drinks (in the form of some stunning red wines) are much more affordable, and if you move outside the tourist traps and speak the local lingo, your money will go far further because you will be taken more seriously.

Find out more in our Living In Argentina As An Expat guide. Wondering where in Argentina to settle down? Read our Best Places To Live In Argentina guide.

9. Montenegro

This stunning country offers expats low tax rates, high quality of living, and great natural surroundings. Its location makes it a convenient base for traveling around Europe, with many easy-to-reach destinations.

If you are wondering how expensive it is to live in Montenegro, you are in for a pleasant surprise. Overall, it’s around 50% cheaper to live in Montenegro than in the UK or the USA.

Besides, the country’s low tax rates are very attractive: income tax is only 9%, capital gains tax is 9%, and the corporate tax rate is also 9%. 

As the country is being ‘discovered’ at an alarming rate, property prices in popular destinations are rising. However, they are still lower than in well-known European retirement hot spots.

A 3-bed house with sea views in the Bar coastal area can be bought for around €160,000. At the same time, a 2-bed apartment in Budva in a modern complex will cost about €185,000.

If you go to less-discovered areas or wish to do a bit of DIY, you can find some fantastic bargains there. Find out the Best Places To Live In Montenegro.

10. North Cyprus

North Cyprus is one of the best value-for-money retirement destinations in the Mediterranean. It’s safe, it’s beautiful, and it has stunning beaches, hot summers, great mountains, golf clubs, and all the things necessary to enjoy a relaxed retirement.

Yes, it’s a small country, and the choice of where to live in North Cyprus might not be huge. However, this country is worth your attention if you are after a quieter and more peaceful lifestyle.

Property prices are surprisingly low. You can buy a fantastic 3-bedroom villa with a garden, swimming pool, and a great sea view for about $230,000.

Rent is also very inexpensive, as is healthcare, especially if you come from the USA.

And the best thing about living in North Cyprus is that there is no income tax on a pension income, so as a retiree, you can enjoy your pension free of tax.

For more details about living in North Cyprus, read the North Cyprus section of our Living In North Cyprus guide and our Q&A post on Retiring To North Cyprus.

11. Paraguay

Looking for a green and welcoming country with an unspoiled land and relaxed life of fresh air and open spaces? Consider Paraguay.

Paraguay is a very inexpensive country. To live a good life here requires far less money than the equivalent would in North America or Europe.

The property is cheap. A sum of $100,000 (£72,000) can get you a decent albeit small townhouse in the towns outside of the capital. The basic weekly grocery bill can come up to $40 for one person.

You can find a detailed breakdown of the cost of living and other helpful information in our Living In Paraguay guide.

Your most significant expense after rent will probably be your health coverage. As an expat, you will probably choose to pay for private health insurance in Paraguay, but it will be much cheaper than in the USA.

Paraguay is perfect if you are looking for a slower pace of life, much closer to nature, wishing to escape the frantic pace of the modern world.

12. Costa Rica

Costa Rica is not the cheapest country in Central America to retire to, yet if you come from North America or the UK, you will find it very affordable.

A retired couple can live relatively comfortably on $2000 a month in a mid-range apartment or house.

Anything between $2,000 and $4000 a month can buy you a comfortable life in Costa Rica when you don’t have to worry about your AC unit being on when you want it.

And it gets even better; foreign retirees living in Costa Rica pay no income tax on their foreign income. So you can enjoy your retirement income without sharing it with the Costa Rican government.

Even if you are budget-conscious, you can find things to entertain yourself with for a very affordable price. Try national parks. There are over 20 of them in the country, with entrance fees ranging from free to just shy of $20 per person.

Wondering where to live in Costa Rica? Our guide on the Best Places To Live In Costa Rica is a perfect place to start looking for an ideal location.

13. Mexico

Mexico is another very affordable country for expat retirees. Housing, utilities, going out, and daily expenses are lower than in the USA or UK.

Healthcare is much cheaper than in the U.S.A. and of a high standard.

Plus, If you come from Europe or North America, you will find that the exchange rate for the Mexican peso can be rather beneficial to your pocket, and your money stretches further than back home.

Depending on the chosen location, you could live comfortably for $1,500 per month. This could cover all the basics such as rent, food, internet, and general living costs. You can live even for less in cheaper locations.

Find out more about different locations, the lifestyle, and the cost of living they offer in our Best Places To Live In Mexico guide.

However, you can also find exclusive and expensive places where you can have every opportunity to splash out on a luxury lifestyle if that’s what you want.

Retiring to Mexico is an excellent option if you appreciate the low cost of living, good climate, and something different from the norm.

Final thoughts on the cheapest countries to retire to

This list is not exhaustive; there are other great destinations where you can have a good life for less money.

There are affordable countries out there, and some nations go out of their way to attract retirees with their tax-free incentive programs, thus making them the cheapest countries to retire to, perhaps. 

But because ‘cheap’ is a relative term, you need to calculate your budget and then find a country where you can get the right balance between the cost of living and the standard of living so that you can be happy and comfortable in retirement abroad.

Other affordable destinations to consider:

• Living in Albania
• Living In Bali
• Living In Croatia
• Living in Colombia
• Best Places To Live In Colombia
• Living In Ecuador
• Moving to Thailand
• Living In Uruguay

You might find helpful:

If you’re looking for inspiration, our best-of lists are a great place to start:

• The 20 Best Countries To Retire In The World
• The Guide To EU Golden Visa Schemes For Non-EU Citizens – compare EU Golden Visa programs to find the one that suits you best.
• The 10 Best Countries To Live In
• The Best Countries To Work In The World
• 5 European Destination With Great Weather All Year

Helpful external links:

• Comparison of worldwide cost of living – WorldData.info.
• Worldwide rating of life satisfaction, safety, community, environment, etc. – the OECD Better Life Index.
• Countries’ vulnerability to climate change and other global challenges – Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative.
• Residential property prices – Global Property Guide.