The best European countries for retirement - Blacktower Financial Management EU (2024)

FAQs

The best European countries for retirement - Blacktower Financial Management EU? ›

According to the annual report, the Netherlands (with a score of 85.0), Iceland (84.8), and Denmark (81.3) are the countries with the top three pension systems out of the 47 countries that it studied. The report points out that the Netherlands has a flat-rate public pension and a non-mandatory earnings-based system.

According to the annual report, the Netherlands (with a score of 85.0), Iceland (84.8), and Denmark (81.3) are the countries with the top three pension systems out of the 47 countries that it studied. The report points out that the Netherlands has a flat-rate public pension and a non-mandatory earnings-based system.

The Netherlands is top of the class when it comes to comparing pension systems around the world, according to a recent global pensions report from the Mercer CFA Institute. The ranking looked at more than 50 indicators and compared 47 retirement income systems, covering 64% of the world's population.

Finland is ranked among the European countries with the best quality of life. As of 2021, Finland reported an HDI of 0.940. According to the World Bank, Finland reported a Government Effectiveness rating of 96.70%. The Economic Freedom Index rating of the county is 77.10 as of 2023.

Panama. Just a short flight from the U.S., Panama offers the chance to explore a new country and still visit home regularly. “Panama has much lower living expenditures than the U.S., especially for housing,” Lagonakis said. Panama offers a favorable tax environment, as it only taxes locally sourced income.

Tavira, Portugal

Unspoiled, golden-sand beaches that stretch for miles are a short boat ride away from Tavira's center. Portugal is one of the easiest countries in Europe to retire because of the low financial threshold of about 1,200 euros per month required to qualify for residency.

Portugal is one of the cheapest English-speaking countries to retire to, with individual expat retirees living as low as $2,000 per month, according to Insider Monkey.

Based on these factors, Iceland has the most sustainable system in Europe with a rating of 83.8. Denmark and Netherlands come right after, with 82.5 and 82.4 respectively. Italy has the lowest score in Europe with 23.7, followed by Spain with a score of 28.5.

Ecuador has a diverse and stunning range of landscapes including the Amazon Rainforest, providing retirees with ample opportunities for exploration and adventure. Ecuador offers the Retirement Visa available to those who receive a lifetime pension or annuity income of at least $800 per month.

What is the easiest European country to move to as an American? ›

It's no wonder Expat Insider ranked the country as the 5th best destination for expats in their 2021 study. In this guide, we will share with you the amazing reasons Portugal is the easiest European country to move to for every American.

European countries Hungary, Malta and Austria are the easiest countries to relocate to for expats, according to a report by William Russell. According to the report, with a difficulty score of 3.85, Hungary stands out as relatively more accessible for expats.

The Philippines

The majority of the people living in urban centers speak English. Compared to the United States, the Philippines has a significantly cheaper cost of living. Its crime index is also lower than that of the US.

Many expats living in countries like Canada and Japan prioritize quality of life, while others prefer to retire in the cheapest and safest countries, such as Hungary, Romania, Chile, and Mongolia. Some retirees prioritize affordable healthcare when choosing a place to live.

While you could live on a similar budget in certain parts of the country (like Cleveland, for example), if you are looking to stretch your monthly retirement budget and get more bang for your buck, you might want to consider retiring in countries like Mexico, Panama, Portugal, and Thailand, according to U.S. News & ...