Where to retire in 2025? Top 10 countries – CSN News

Hold onto your piña coladas and pack that sun hat—because the 2025 Annual Global Retirement Index It’s out and it has more juicy information than your local WhatsApp group.

This article will help you to fulfill your fantasy of a safe, exciting Mediterranean getaway, a tropical beach bungalow with an abundance of coconuts or simply a place where you can stretch out your legs and stretch your pension. So, let’s get cracking.

Forget polished brochures and expat fairytales—this is the gritty, glorious truth from retirees who’ve swapped snow shovels for sangria.

Experts have compiled a list of the top 10 countries to retire in by 2025.

This is what life looks like It is a good idea to use Looks like the Top 10 Countries to Retire in 2025 according to International LivingThe gloss is balanced by a bit of gritty reality.

10. Thailand – Smiles, yes. Simplicity? Simplicity?

Thailand often gets sold as a budget paradise—cheap eats, gorgeous beaches, and massages for a fiver. But what is the reality? The reality is a mixed bag. You can certainly live on a budget If If you don’t want to spend on Western comforts like imported goods and quality housing in urban centers, the costs can quickly add up.

Visas can be a hassle, especially with their changing policies and need for frequent renewals. Once you leave the tourist areas, language and cultural barriers become very real. While locals can be friendly, it is rare to fully integrate. You thought England and Spain were two different cultures. You can live in Asia for 5 years. Many retirees are isolated in their expat bubbles and burnt out by the paperwork. Thailand is an amazing place to live and retire. But you must really want to do it. Both good and bad, it can be a shock. Before you make a move, think. 

9. Italy – Charm and bureaucracy, in equal measure

Italy is gorgeous—there’s no denying it. The dream of retiring to Italy can turn into a nightmare for some retirees. Spain and Italy have the same pronunciation of the “B” word. So, outside the postcard towns, services can be painfully slow for those who aren’t used to this type of thing, bureaucracy is labyrinthine, and getting residency takes patience—and a lawyer.

Like the south Spain, the south Italy has affordable housing but often the infrastructure is in poor condition. English is not as common as it is in the south. It’s relatively easy to get healthcare, but as a non-Spanish speaker it can be difficult. The 7% tax deal is it real? This 7% tax deal is real, but only in certain places.

Few countries offer a life as amazing: ancient towns, where time seems to stand still, a pace which forces you slow down and enjoy, and a cultural environment where beauty, family and food are more important than your bank account. Italy has its quirks but if it’s possible to embrace them, you will be rewarded with a retirement experience that is nothing short of spectacular.

8. Greece – Sunshine, seafood, and slow systems

Greece has a unique old-world appeal, and the sunsets in the islands are breathtaking. You’ll soon discover the other side of Greece, including slow public services and bureaucratic inefficiency. The banking system is still run like it was by fax.

Many areas are affordable, but it can be hard to find well-maintained properties. Healthcare quality varies depending on where you land—excellent in big cities, patchy in remote villages. The lifestyle is also seductive, with long, lazy meals, friendly neighbours and a sense of belonging you can’t find anywhere else.

Greece isn’t for those in a hurry—but if you can swap urgency for “kala kala” (slowly, slowly), you’ll be rewarded with a life that’s full of beauty, community, and some of the best seafood platters you’ll ever taste.

7. Malaysia – A cultural melting pot, with fine print

Malaysia offers a number of advantages: English is widely-spoken, the food is delicious, and you can get private healthcare at a fraction what it costs back home. Penang’s heritage streets and Kuala Lumpur skyline are popular with expats. They offer all the comforts city life can provide at affordable prices.

Recent changes to the Malaysia My Second Home visa scheme (MM2H), however, have made it more difficult and expensive to secure a long term stay. While the climate is always warm, humidity and heat can be a constant if you are living there.

Social integration is entirely possible—especially for those willing to step outside expat areas—and Malaysia’s diversity means you’ll find cultures and traditions unlike anywhere else. In cities, infrastructure is reliable and modern. However, in rural areas it may feel as if you have time-traveled a few decades.

Malaysia is a great destination for anyone looking to experience flavour, warmth, and an unordinary life.

6. Spain – Glorious, but not always as cheap as you’d hope

Spain delivers lifestyle in spades—sunshine, food, culture, and excellent healthcare, both public and private. Anyone looking to retire somewhere safe, comfortable and exciting but with a vibrant and exciting lifestyle should consider Spain. The weather is a bonus. You can’t live on pennies. Rents are soaring in cities like Madrid and Malaga. The visa for non-lucrative workers has strict financial requirements, and does not allow remote working.

The public healthcare system is good, but the wait times can be long. Also, bedside manners are not always consistent. The bureaucracy can be confusing at best. And if you’re not fluent in Spanish, expect the odd blank stare—after all, it’s like a Spaniard trying to chatter away in Spanish at a Blackpool Tesco and expecting everyone to follow along. What would happen in that scenario?

Spain remains one the best options for retirees. Spain is an all-rounder. Safe but exciting, modern yet still rich in history. If you’re able to manage a little paperwork and can learn a few Spanish terms, you will be able live a good life under the endless blue skies. A truly exceptional country.

5. France – Gourmet living, with layers of red tape

France is where dreams of lavender fields and café culture come true—but it’s also the land of paperwork, much like Spain and Italy. In order to get long-term residency, you’ll need a dossier as big as a freshly baked baquette.

Yes, healthcare is excellent and affordable. No, life in Paris isn’t cheap—but smaller towns offer value. Be prepared for some cultural frictions, particularly around language. But once settled, life can be très bon.  

4. Mexico – Colourful, chaotic, and full of heart

Mexico remains hugely popular among retirees, especially Americans—and it’s easy to see why. Mexico is one of the friendliest places on earth. Low living costs and warm weather are just a few reasons why.

There’s more to Mexico than sombreros, sunsets and tequilla. The safety of a region can differ dramatically. If you stick to tourist areas and expat-friendly zones, you will feel more secure. You’ll need to be on your guard if you venture too far from the main road without knowing locals. This is not recommended.

The healthcare system is improving, but it’s still patchy. And infrastructure can vary depending on where you are. Corruption and paperwork are simply part of the backdrop here—best approached with patience and a sense of humour.

But despite the bumps in the road, many expats feel happier, healthier and more connected. With its dazzling culture, mouth-watering food, and communities that embrace you with open arms, Mexico doesn’t just offer a new address—it offers a whole new way of life.

3. Costa Rica – Nature lovers’ heaven, but not for everyone

Costa Rica’s natural beauty has earned its reputation. What about affordability? It depends. The prices are not the lowest in Central America and imports come with a price premium. Visas can be slow and involve a lot more paperwork.

The public healthcare system is good, but it takes time to navigate. The private healthcare system is more reliable, but it costs more. The culture is welcoming, the pace is slow, and the environment is breathtaking. Imagine doing yoga and sipping juice in the middle jungle. If you’re looking for that, then this is the place.

2. Portugal – Lovely, but no longer Europe’s bargain basement

Portugal is one of the top choices for a good reason. It offers safety, friendly locals and a solid healthcare system. But now the secret is out. Rents have doubled in Lisbon and Porto in the past five years. The D7 visa is now more restrictive.

English is widely understood, but the bureaucracy in this country is notoriously slow. Be prepared for administrative delays. Still, Portugal’s lifestyle—mild climate, great food, rich history—makes the trade-offs tolerable for many. This one was number two.

1. Panama – Still a winner, but know what you’re buying into

No tax! Panama’s modern infrastructure and pensionado scheme are praised for their ease of residency. When you scratch the surface, things are not as they seem. Service can be poor outside of expat-friendly zones.

Although the private healthcare system is good in the capital city, not all doctors are fluent in English. Internet speeds are fast but frequent outages occur. While no tax is a great thing, urban sprawl and rising costs are also a concern.

Panama is a great place to visit if you want to enjoy comfort, convenience, and affordability.

Final Word: Dream Smarter, Not Bigger

You can also find out more about the following: Annual Global Retirement Index Lists are a good place to start, but nothing can replace real-world experience. Retirement abroad isn’t about fantasy—it’s about fit. What is heaven to one person may be a nightmare for another.

So before you pack your bags, do your homework, talk to real expats—and take every “best place to retire” list with a pinch of tropical salt, including this one. Visit the location as often as possible. Explore, then learn before you decide.

You can write news for people Spain is a great place to live.

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