5 Countries With Easy Citizenship for Retirement (2024)

FAQs

5 Countries With Easy Citizenship for Retirement? ›

Portugal. Besides being one of the easiest places to get a retirement visa, Portugal is also one of the cheapest countries to retire in. It is a popular destination among retirees who want a place with warm temperatures, a low cost of living, excellent healthcare, and high quality of life.

Portugal. Besides being one of the easiest places to get a retirement visa, Portugal is also one of the cheapest countries to retire in. It is a popular destination among retirees who want a place with warm temperatures, a low cost of living, excellent healthcare, and high quality of life.

Due to the program's efficient and rapid process, Antigua and Barbuda is considered one of the easiest countries to get citizenship by investment. The Antigua and Barbuda passport provides its holders visa-free travel to over 140 nations worldwide.

Countries Natixis ranked as secure retirement locations are mostly concentrated in Europe but also include New Zealand and Australia. The top three countries in the rankings are Norway, Switzerland and Iceland, all of which have life expectancies of 83 years, compared to 77 in the U.S. and the world average of 72.

Greece and Malta are some of the easiest and best places to retire in Europe, as they have large English-speaking communities. Other European destinations that are also suitable for retirement are Portugal, Spain, and Turkey.

Canada – 180 days

If you want to move somewhere different but don't want a huge culture shock or learn a new language (with the exception of Quebec), Canada is an ideal option. You can stay here for up to 180 days before having to go elsewhere.

40% opt for the Western hemisphere — Canada, Central and South America. 26% move to Europe. 14% head to East Asia and the Pacific — think Australia and New Zealand as well as China and Japan. 14% head to the Middle East.

Canada. Located in North America and sharing the longest binational land border of the world with the USA, Canada is undoubtedly the most desirable country in the world to immigrate to. The government is known for its welcoming attitude toward immigrants.

Ecuador. If you're looking for a country where you can retire outside the US comfortably with $800 per month and experience one of the most ecologically diverse places in the world, then Ecuador might be for you. The go-to city for US retirees in Ecuador is Cuenca, which also happens to be a UNESCO World Heritage site.

What countries do not tax U.S. Social Security? ›

If you move to one of the following countries, your Social security benefits will not be taxed by the US -- Canada, Germany, Egypt, Ireland, Israel, Italy (only if you are an Italian citizen), Romania, UK.

If you leave the U.S., we will stop your benefits the month after the sixth calendar month in a row that you are outside the country. You can make visits to the United States for specific periods of time, depending on how long you've been outside, to continue receiving your benefits.

No. 1 most powerful passport in the world: Japan

As of 2023, Japanese passport holders can visit 193 of 227 destinations visa-free, which is 85% of the world, according to data from the International Air Transport Association compiled by Henley & Partners.

According to various studies, including International Living, Portugal is ranked as the best country for US expats to retire to. Its friendly population, welcoming community of American expats, excellent weather, safety records, and affordable cost of living are all big draws for retirees.

Portugal has long been a top location to retire to. With dreamy sunsets over beautiful beaches, an affordable cost of living, excellent seafood, and attractive tax benefits, it is understandable why so many retirees are turning their attention to Portugal.

In Europe, the cheapest places to live outside of the top three countries to retire in were France, Italy and Cyprus.

No Longer Can One Lose U.S. Citizenship By Living in Another Country. At this time, no penalties exist if a naturalized U.S. citizen simply goes to live in another country. This is a distinct benefit of U.S. citizenship, since green card holders can have their status taken away for "abandoning" their U.S. residence.

Can a US citizen stay in another country for a year? ›

Absences of more than 365 consecutive days. You must apply for a re-entry permit (Form I-131) before you leave the United States, or your permanent residence status will be considered abandoned. A re-entry permit enables you to be abroad for up to two years. Apply for a re-entry permit.

The top three countries for American expats are Mexico, Canada, and the United Kingdom, which are all popular for their proximity to the States and lower cost of living.

If you can handle the cold, Germany and the Netherlands are two of the most popular countries for expats, both offering international communities and unique residency options. Switzerland: Although many European countries offer a better quality of life than the U.S., Switzerland takes the cake.

For many years, the majority of immigrants lived in the Northeast and Midwest. But now, according to the Pew Research Center's latest analysis, about two-thirds of immigrants live in the West and South. And in recent years, some states have seen their immigrant populations grow at a faster rate.

What are Golden Visas? Golden Visas are immigration by investment schemes that a select few countries provide, allowing qualifying investors and their family members to obtain residency status, and sometimes even citizenship, provided they make a qualifying financial contribution to the economy.

Canada is one of the most welcoming countries to immigrate to. It is also one of the easiest because it has a vast landmass and a small population. Canada covers several programs for immigrants to move to attract new residents.

Where can I live off of $500 a month? ›

Mexico. Just south of the United States of America border with warm weather, a wide variety of places to live, miles of coastline, and beautiful cities, Mexico, one of the cheapest countries to retire in, is a popular destination for retirees as well as vacationers.

Living on Social Security alone is not only possible, but many retirees already accomplish that very feat every year. While the lifestyle associated with Social Security income isn't exactly luxurious, it doesn't have to equal rice and beans for the rest of your life, either.

The United States is one of the few countries that taxes its citizens on their worldwide income. This means that Americans who retire overseas still have tax obligations.

Yes, if you are a U.S. citizen or a resident alien living outside the United States, your worldwide income is subject to U.S. income tax, regardless of where you live. However, you may qualify for certain foreign earned income exclusions and/or foreign income tax credits.

If you are a U.S. citizen, you may receive your Social Security payments outside the U.S. as long as you are eligible for them.

To acquire the full amount, you need to maximize your working life and begin collecting your check until age 70. Another way to maximize your check is by asking for a raise every two or three years. Moving companies throughout your career is another way to prove your worth, and generate more money.

You may lose your U.S. citizenship in specific cases, including if you: Run for public office in a foreign country (under certain conditions) Enter military service in a foreign country (under certain conditions) Apply for citizenship in a foreign country with the intention of giving up U.S. citizenship.

Which citizenship is fastest to get? ›

Why Is It So Hard To Become A U.S. citizen? It is hard because of the long processing times, the financial and personal costs involved, and the fact that most immigrants do not have a direct relative that is a citizen of the United States.

The top three states with the largest population of lawful permanent residents eligible to become U.S. citizens are California, New York, and Florida. The 10 states with the most eligible U.S. citizens account for 67% of all lawful permanent residents eligible to naturalize in 2022.

Among the best second nationalities in the world to hold are: Japan: One of the world's strongest citizenships is officially Japan's; however, the country doesn't have a citizenship by investment programme, nor does it recognise dual citizenship, making a Japanese passport extremely difficult to get hold of.

A golden passport is a term that refers to a citizenship-by-investment program, which allows foreigners to obtain the citizenship and passport of another country by making a significant financial contribution to its economy or society.

Simply put, the green card holder can legally live and work in the country. However, there are other benefits that the green card holder doesn't have that a citizen would have, one of which includes voting rights. It can take a couple of years for the green card holder to obtain permanent citizenship.

China has the world's youngest retirement age, according to data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). For that distinction, it can partly thank a government policy dating back to the 1950s that lets women retire at 50 and men at 60.

Most U.S. citizens can get Social Security benefits while visiting or living outside the U.S. Find out if you qualify.

Does USA have a retirement visa? ›

While some other countries offer foreigners retirement visas, sometimes known as silver cards, the United States does not have a retirement visa program – and has no current plans of creating one.

If you leave the U.S., we will stop your benefits the month after the sixth calendar month in a row that you are outside the country. You can make visits to the United States for specific periods of time, depending on how long you've been outside, to continue receiving your benefits.

Switzerland is a small Central European country and one of the wealthiest in the world. With its economic stability, well-developed public health system, low corruption, favorable tax environment, and safety, Switzerland is an ideal country for a comfortable retirement.

Portugal retirement visa: options for US expats

Retirement in Portugal for US citizens does require a long-term stay visa. The most popular Portugal retirement visa for US citizens is the D7 visa,¹ geared toward non-EU residents who have enough savings or passive income to sustain themselves financially in Portugal.

Ecuador. If you're looking for a country where you can retire outside the US comfortably with $800 per month and experience one of the most ecologically diverse places in the world, then Ecuador might be for you. The go-to city for US retirees in Ecuador is Cuenca, which also happens to be a UNESCO World Heritage site.

In Europe, the cheapest places to live outside of the top three countries to retire in were France, Italy and Cyprus.

1. Alaska. Alaska is the most tax-friendly state for retirees because it has no state income tax or tax on Social Security. And its sales tax rate is the fourth lowest on our list - fifth lowest in the U.S. But keep this in mind: The cost of living in Alaska is higher than in most states.

Yes, you read that right—if you are an expat enjoying retirement abroad, U.S. taxes may still be a reality. Regardless where in the world you live, you are still responsible for your U.S. tax obligations if you are still a U.S. citizen.

Canada does not have a provision to issue a retirement visa to anyone. Canada is more affordable to live in than the US, where real estate and healthcare are costly. You don't have to apply for a visa to cross the border from the US to Canada.

The full retirement age is 66 if you were born from 1943 to 1954. The full retirement age increases gradually if you were born from 1955 to 1960 until it reaches 67. For anyone born 1960 or later, full retirement benefits are payable at age 67.

What is the best age to retire in USA? ›

67-70 – During this age range, your Social Security benefit, if you haven't already taken it, will increase by 8% for each year you delay taking it until you turn 70.