Retirement Migration: Why Expats Are Choosing Portugal & Beyond

by John Smith - World Editor
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A retired couple in London discovered their pension wasn’t enough to cover rising living costs, prompting a move to Portugal in search of a more affordable lifestyle. As global populations age and fixed incomes struggle to keep pace with inflation, more retirees are considering international relocation as a viable option.

John and Helen Carter, after nearly 40 years in their respective careers – he with the postal service, she as a schoolteacher – found their retirement income insufficient to meet increasing expenses like rent, taxes, and healthcare.

The couple began researching alternatives, discovering stories of other retirees who had found new lives in sunnier, less expensive countries. They were particularly drawn to the experience of a British couple living in southern Portugal, where their cost of living was roughly half that of London.

One retiree’s comment resonated with them: “I found what I didn’t find in Europe… the warmth, the low cost, and the feeling that life was starting again.” He noted that southern Portugal enjoys sunshine for the majority of the year, while living expenses are approximately 30 to 40 percent lower than in the UK.

After months of consideration, John and Helen made the life-changing decision to sell their flat and relocate to the coastal city of Faro, Portugal.

Now, they live in a small house overlooking the sea, waking to sunshine instead of fog, and spending less than half of what they previously did in Britain.

Helen spends her mornings at the old fish market, while John enjoys walks on the beach before they both join a social circle of retirees from various European countries.

The Carters’ story is not unique. Over the past decade, the number of retirees choosing to emigrate after retirement has increased, driven by the search for lower living costs, better healthcare, or a more relaxed lifestyle.

From Portugal to Mexico, Thailand to Costa Rica, this phenomenon – often referred to as “international retirement migration” – reflects the challenges faced by many retirees worldwide.

The trend is no longer marginal, but a part of global mobility patterns impacting housing, healthcare, and immigration policies in both destination and source countries.

Motivations Behind Retiree Migration

The growing number of retirees voluntarily leaving their home countries after ending their careers is not a fleeting trend, but the result of a complex mix of economic, health, and social factors.

Studies show that the decision to migrate at this stage of life is usually shaped by a system of practical needs and personal aspirations, with economic concerns and limited retirement income being a primary driver. Seeking countries with a lower cost of living becomes a strategic choice for many.













Countries with the Highest Percentage of Residents Aged 65 and Over by 2050

Rank

Country

Percentage

1

China

40.6%

2

South Korea

39.4%

3

Japan

37.5%

4

Italy

37.1%

5

Spain

36.6%

6

Taiwan

35.3%

7

Greece

34.8%

8

Portugal

34.5%

Documented experiences show that relocating to countries like Portugal, Spain, Mexico, or Costa Rica allows retirees a higher standard of living for less expenditure compared to Western European or North American nations.

According to the 2025 Global Retirement Report, countries like Portugal are ranked among the best retirement destinations globally, scoring 92.6/100 in the overall assessment – the only country to exceed the 90-point threshold among the 44 countries included in the report.

Several reports indicate that destinations like Portugal, Panama, and Greece are becoming increasingly attractive year after year due to their balance between affordable costs and quality of life.

The second driver relates to health and the quality of medical services. As people age, the need for reliable and affordable healthcare systems increases, prompting some retirees to reassess their place of residence.

Specialized studies show that the decision to move is often based on factors such as the quality of hospitals, waiting times, the availability of specialist doctors, ease of access to health insurance, and even the distance to the nearest medical center.

In a number of Asian and Latin American destinations, affordable yet high-quality healthcare has become a major draw for foreign retirees.

The third driver is climate and lifestyle. The search for warmer weather or more moderate seasons drives thousands of retirees annually to the Mediterranean region, the coastal areas of Latin America, or the islands of Southeast Asia.

Social and cultural factors also play a significant role, with many of these countries offering large expatriate communities that facilitate integration and create new social support networks, as well as a peaceful environment and outdoor activities suited to post-retirement life.

Figures and Evidence

It is difficult to provide a precise global figure for the number of retirees who have emigrated, as official statistics do not always collect the reason for migration by age or retirement status. However, several indicators point to significant increases in numbers.

For example, the number of American retirees receiving Social Security benefits while living outside the United States rose from less than 250,000 in 2003 to more than 450,000 in 2023.

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