Last week, I revealed the top five countries in the 2026 Overseas Retirement Index. This week, I’ll pull back the curtain on the remaining seven countries that round out this year’s Index.
Imagine waking up to breathtaking coastlines, enjoying rich culture, and living affordably—each destination on our list offers living costs 34% to 71% lower than the average U.S. retiree’s monthly expenses, meaning you can stretch your budget while savoring life to the fullest.
Health care is another standout, with most Index countries offering care that ranks higher than the U.S. and Canada, but at a fraction of the price.
Retire in peace, knowing that the safety of your new home is a priority: nearly all of these havens rank higher than the U.S. for safety, providing the secure environment every retiree seeks.
Residency options are varied and flexible, from golden visas and retiree-specific permits to digital nomad programs that make relocation effortless. And taxes? Many of these countries are incredibly tax-friendly, with low or no-tax options and treaties that benefit U.S. and Canadian expats.
Whether you’re drawn to Argentina’s tango culture and world-class wine, the charm of the palm-fringed Caribbean, Italy’s sun-drenched coastlines, Montenegro’s rugged mountains, or Thailand’s tropical beaches, these havens combine affordability, culture, and safety to offer an unbeatable retirement lifestyle.
Let’s dive in…
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Happy trails,
Kat Kalashian,
Editor LIOS Confidential
Video Transcript
Intro
Hi, I’m Kat Kalashian for Live and Invest Overseas, and this week we’re going to talk a little more about our 13th annual Overseas Retirement Index.
Every January, and now for 13 years running, we create our Overseas Retirement Index naming the world’s top retirement havens for the year. For 2026, the index features 12 incredible destinations.
The 5 Ways Our 2026 Index Havens Shine
There are five major ways our 2026 havens really stand out.
The first is affordability. Every destination in this year’s report has a lower monthly cost of living than the average amount spent per month by an American age 65 or older in the United States. Overall, the cost of living in our featured havens ranges from 34% to 71% cheaper than in the U.S.
The second is healthcare. Healthcare in these destinations is often both better ranked and more affordable. Several of the countries in this year’s index rank higher than Canada and the United States in international healthcare comparisons, and all of them offer affordable care options either through insurance or out-of-pocket pricing.
The third is safety. Most of the havens on our list are safer than the United States. Many also rank very well on the Global Peace Index, making them especially attractive to retirees who value peace of mind in daily life.
The fourth is residency. Many of these countries offer dynamic residency programs with meaningful advantages for retirees. Some have retiree-specific visas, while others offer similarly accessible residency paths. A number also offer Golden Visas or Digital Nomad Visas for people who are still doing remote work or want flexible options.
The fifth is tax-friendliness. This can sound intimidating at first, especially when people begin researching a move abroad and worry about potentially higher tax rates. But for retirees, this often turns out to be less of a problem than they expect. Many of the countries in this year’s index are either low-tax or zero-tax jurisdictions, and several have tax treaties in place with the United States or Canada that help prevent double taxation.
The Top Countries To Retire in 2026
Last week I introduced the top five countries in this year’s index. This time, I’m going to talk about the rest of the featured countries and why they deserve attention.
Argentina
Argentina is definitely a place for people who enjoy the finer things in life. This South American country is world-renowned for its wine, its extraordinary meats, and the culture built around the asado tradition, the local barbecue that is such a central part of daily life.
If you move here, you are very likely to end up with a barbecue pit at your home or apartment, because that is simply part of the lifestyle.
Argentina is also home to tango, the dance most associated with passion, and it has wonderful art collections and cultural depth. Beyond that, it is geographically vast, the second-largest country in South America, with a huge range of landscapes, climates, and regional identities.
It has a long history of welcoming immigrants and expats, going back to the mid-1800s. Much of the population claims Italian or Spanish heritage, and you can hear those influences in the language and even in the gestures people use when they speak.
Inflation is a serious reality in Argentina, and the peso can move dramatically day to day. That is something you absolutely need to keep in mind. Even so, expats are often in a relatively privileged and protected position compared with locals, so Argentina should not be written off simply because of what you may have heard about politics or economic headlines.
Italy
Italy is no secret to people who love culture, great food, wine, and the beauty of the Old World. It remains one of Europe’s dream retirement destinations.
With the Mediterranean on one side and the Adriatic on the other, Italy has more than its fair share of gorgeous coastline. It also has remarkably varied landscapes for such a compact country, including mountains, lakes, and rolling countryside.
As the heart of the former Roman Empire, Italy’s past is always present. You will find ruins in major cities, in small towns, and scattered through the countryside. The Renaissance is equally visible, and the country offers endless hours of discovery through museums, galleries, architecture, and simply walking through its streets.
What surprises many people, though, is that outside the biggest cities and most tourist-heavy areas, life in Italy can be far more affordable than they expect. Finding those less obvious corners can reward you not only with lower prices but also with a more authentic Italian experience.
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic offers a rich, relaxing, and genuinely diverse lifestyle, even on a pensioner’s budget.
Recent infrastructure improvements have made it easier and safer for foreign retirees and investors to settle there. It delivers the Caribbean many people imagine: white sand beaches, warm clear turquoise water, and sunshine all year long. Temperatures rarely dip below 75 degrees.
But it is much more than a beach destination. The Dominican Republic also offers jungle, mountains, hidden retreats, and a culturally diverse society shaped by a complex history.
It remains one of the more accessible Caribbean retirement choices for people who want the classic island lifestyle without the price tag of some of the region’s more famous alternatives.
Montenegro
Montenegro is a small country across the Adriatic from southern Italy, and although many people still know little about it, it has become an increasingly attractive expat destination.
Foreigners are drawn to its mild climate, dramatic scenery, low cost of living, and relaxed pace of life. It is especially popular with ecotourists and adventure seekers because its rugged geography is perfect for hiking in summer and snow sports in winter.
The entire country is essentially defined by mountains, which is reflected in its name. Montenegro is also a young country, having gained full independence from Serbia only in 2006.
Despite that, it has developed a stable democracy and a functioning economy, and it is currently aiming for admission to the European Union in the coming years.
Most importantly, Montenegro is one of the most interesting places in Europe right now from both a lifestyle and investment perspective. Real estate remains relatively cheap, taxes are low, and residency is straightforward. Those advantages may not last forever if the country joins the EU, so for many people the appeal lies in getting there before conditions become more restrictive.
Thailand
Thailand has long attracted foreigners, and for good reason. It is rare to find a place in the country that does not already have at least a small foreign community.
Thailand offers breathtaking beaches, friendly locals, strong expat networks, excellent healthcare, and easy retirement visa options. Healthcare in particular is one of its strongest advantages, often costing a fraction of what comparable care would cost in the United States.
There are golf courses, modern amenities, and lifestyle services in abundance. Geographically, the country offers everything from misty mountains to island beaches.
But the real kicker is affordability. Southeast Asia remains one of the cheapest places in the world to live very well, and Thailand is often among the best examples of that. It is possible to live on a very modest budget while still enjoying a high quality of life.
Belize
Belize is a small country with an astonishing amount to offer. It has forests, coastlines, rivers, caves, islands, and a great deal of natural beauty packed into a relatively small area.
It is a safe, welcoming, and often very private-feeling country, which makes it especially attractive to people who want a little more freedom and space in their daily life. It also has a quirky character that sets it apart.
English is the official language, which is a major draw for many North Americans, but the diversity of the population means you will also hear Spanish, Creole, indigenous languages, and other influences throughout the country.
Belize is also very close to the United States, with flights from Florida taking about two hours. It has long been known as a tax haven, an investment haven, and a strong retirement destination.
In many ways, it represents classic Caribbean living: white sand beaches, offshore islands, tropical forest, rivers, caves, and Mayan ruins. It is possible to settle in Belize relatively quickly and comfortably, with rents starting at modest levels depending on the area.
Spain
Spain is one of Europe’s most diverse and rewarding retirement destinations. To say it is rich in history, culture, and scenery is an understatement.
It is the second-largest country in the European Union after France, and it offers an extraordinary mix of climates, landscapes, and cultural identities. Bordered by Portugal and France and surrounded by the Mediterranean, the Atlantic, and the Cantabrian Sea, Spain has developed a variety of distinct regional cultures.
That diversity extends beyond culture into geography as well. Spain offers thousands of kilometers of coastline, mountain regions, enchanting small towns, and world-class cities.
Its many lifestyle options are what continue to draw foreigners from around the world. Whether someone is looking for a second home, a warm-weather base, a cultural hub, or a slower-paced town, Spain offers a remarkable range of possibilities.
