Best places to retire abroad for UK citizens in 2027

Retiring abroad is a goal for many people in the UK, whether you want more sunshine, a slower pace of life or simply a lower cost of living. The best places to retire abroad from the UK in 2027 include Spain, France, Croatia, Cyprus, the Philippines, Thailand, Australia and Vietnam, each offering something different in climate, cost and distance from home.

Before you choose, think about visas, healthcare and how your UK State Pension will be paid. Since Brexit, UK nationals no longer have an automatic right to live in EU countries, so retiring to Spain, France or Portugal now means applying for a residence visa. We cover these points below, along with answers to the questions UK retirees ask most.

1. Spain

Many people from the UK choose to retire to Spain. It has a lot to offer, including warm weather, a relaxed culture and a high standard of living. It is also a short flight from the UK if you want to pop back for Christmas, and living costs in many areas are lower than at home.

Most UK retirees apply for Spain's non-lucrative residence visa, which requires proof of a regular income or savings and private health insurance. Read our guide to moving to Spain for more detail, or see our removals to Spain service.

2. France

France is another great option if you do not want to retire too far from the UK. Besides the food and wine, France has a well regarded healthcare system and, if you head to the south, you can enjoy warmer weather for much longer than in the UK. Spending your retirement exploring vineyards in the south of France has plenty of appeal.

UK retirees usually apply for a long-stay visitor visa before moving. Our France guide covers the practical steps.

3. Croatia

Croatia is becoming an increasingly popular choice among retirees. It has gorgeous scenery, an inviting Mediterranean climate and plenty of culture and adventure, with beautiful areas such as the Dalmatian coast to explore. Quality of life is high thanks to its lower cost of living, low crime rates and good standards of healthcare.

4. Cyprus

Cyprus offers a sunny, cultured environment for retirees from the UK. It continues to grow in popularity thanks to its laid-back lifestyle, peaceful communities with low crime rates and lower living costs. English is widely spoken, and driving on the left will feel familiar.

Since Brexit, UK retirees who do not hold Withdrawal Agreement rights usually apply for a Category F immigration permit from the Cyprus Civil Registry and Migration Department, which requires proof of a secure annual income.

5. Philippines

If you do not mind travelling further from the UK, you may want to consider the Philippines. It is a warm destination made up of more than 7,000 islands. As well as its natural beauty, it offers reasonable living costs, and the Philippine Retirement Authority runs a dedicated retiree visa programme.

6. Thailand

Thailand is known for its warm hospitality and offers a tropical setting for retirement. If you like it hot, it should be on your list, as temperatures in the south can reach 40 degrees Celsius in the hottest months. Nearly every home has air conditioning, so you can keep cool. Thailand offers long-stay visas for retirees aged 50 and over, with financial requirements set by the Thai government. Our international removals team can help you plan the move.

7. Australia

If you do not mind being on the other side of the globe, you may want to consider Australia. Melbourne has a climate similar to the UK, although temperatures do not drop as low in winter. It is English speaking, offers a great standard of healthcare and has a relaxed, friendly culture.

Australia closed its retirement visas to new applicants, so most UK retirees move through family routes such as a Parent visa. Our guide to moving to Australia explains the options, and our removals to Australia team can help with shipping.

8. Vietnam

If you want a warm climate and a low cost of living, Vietnam is worth a look. Coastal cities such as Da Nang, Hoi An and Nha Trang are popular with retirees for their beaches, fresh food and relaxed pace, while Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City offer busy city life and good private hospitals. Day to day costs such as rent, eating out and local transport are usually much lower than in the UK.

The climate varies along the country. The south is hot all year with a rainy season, central Vietnam has a wet season in the autumn, and the north has a cooler winter.

Be aware that Vietnam has no dedicated retirement visa. British citizens can visit for up to 45 days without a visa, and an e-visa allows stays of up to 90 days with single or multiple entry. Many retirees use repeated e-visas, which means leaving and re-entering the country. Longer residence through a temporary residence card usually depends on another route, such as investing in a business or being married to a Vietnamese citizen. Check GOV.UK travel advice and the Vietnamese embassy in London before you plan a move.

Your UK State Pension if you retire abroad

You can claim your UK State Pension in any country, and it can be paid into a UK bank account or a local account abroad. According to GOV.UK, the important difference is whether your pension goes up each year.

Your State Pension increases every year if you live in:

• the European Economic Area (EEA)
• Gibraltar
• Switzerland
• a country that has a social security agreement with the UK which includes uprating (Canada and New Zealand are exceptions)

If you live anywhere else, your pension is "frozen" at the rate you first received abroad, or the rate when you left the UK, and it will not rise with yearly increases.

Source: GOV.UK, State Pension if you retire abroad. Over a long retirement, a frozen pension can lose significant value, so factor this into your budget. Contact the International Pension Centre to claim or check your position before you move.

Planning your move and storing belongings

Many retirees use a move abroad as a chance to downsize. Our guide to downsizing your home can help you decide what to take, and our moving abroad checklist covers the steps in order. If you are moving with a pet, our pet shipping service can help.

If you want to keep family heirlooms or furniture in the UK while you settle in, self storage starts from £18, and drive-up self storage suits longer stays. Choose a secure facility to keep your belongings safe at all times.

Frequently asked questions

• Can I retire to Spain from the UK?

Yes. Most UK retirees apply for the non-lucrative residence visa through a Spanish consulate before moving. According to the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, you need to show income or savings of at least 400% of Spain's IPREM indicator for the main applicant (plus 100% for each family member) and comprehensive private health insurance from an insurer authorised in Spain.

• Can I retire to Portugal from the UK?

Yes. The D7 visa is the usual route for retirees with a regular passive income such as a pension. The income required is linked to Portugal's minimum wage, so check the current figure with the Portuguese consulate in London. See our guide to moving to Portugal for more.

• Can I retire to France from the UK?

Yes. UK nationals usually apply for a long-stay visitor visa, which requires proof that you can support yourself without working, plus health insurance. After arriving, you validate the visa online and can later apply for a residence permit. Once resident, you may be able to join the French health system and use an S1 form if you receive a UK State Pension.

• Can I retire to Australia from the UK?

It is harder than it used to be. The Australian Department of Home Affairs confirms that the Retirement visa (subclass 410) and Investment Retirement visa (subclass 405) are closed to new applicants. Most UK retirees move through a Parent or Contributory Parent visa if they have a child settled in Australia, and the UK State Pension is frozen there.

• Can I retire to Cyprus from the UK?

Yes. UK nationals who are not covered by the Withdrawal Agreement usually apply for a Category F permit, which requires proof of a secure annual income from abroad and is issued by the Cyprus Civil Registry and Migration Department. As an EU member state, Cyprus is a country where your UK State Pension increases each year.

• Can I retire to Vietnam from the UK?

You can live there for long periods, but Vietnam has no retirement visa. Most UK retirees use the 90-day e-visa and leave and re-enter the country when it runs out, while longer temporary residence usually needs another basis such as investment or marriage to a Vietnamese citizen. Your UK State Pension will be frozen if you live in Vietnam.

• Can I get my UK State Pension paid abroad?

Yes. You can have it paid into a UK account or a bank account in your new country. Whether it rises each year depends on where you live, as explained in the GOV.UK rules above.

• Can I use the NHS if I retire abroad?

Once you move abroad permanently you are generally no longer entitled to free NHS treatment. If you receive a UK State Pension and live in the EU, an S1 form may give you access to local state healthcare, with costs met by the UK.

No matter where you choose to retire, we can take care of your international removals, with an award-winning service to any destination in the world. Request a free quote for your international move, or get in touch with our expert team for personalised advice.