This year, Global Citizen Solutions published its Global Retirement Report for 2025, which ranks the best countries to retire abroad.
The report looked at 44 passive income and retirement visa programs. It examined 20 targeted indicators, grouped into six sub-indices: procedure, citizenship and mobility, economics, tax optimization, quality of life, and safety and integration. Each country was given a score out of 100.
The United States was not included on the list simply because the country doesn’t have an official retirement visa program. The report found that many of the countries ranked in the top 10 were located in the Americas and Europe.
“The Americas dominate the availability of digital nomad retirement visas and then Europe. They have a very high quality of life that’s above average,” Dr. Laura Madrid Sartoretto, Research Lead at GCS’ Global Intelligence Unit, tells CNBC Make It.
“That’s not a coincidence because one of the motivations people have when they decide to relocate abroad is looking for a place where they will have a better quality of life.”
Portugal
Gabriel Mello | Moment | Getty Images
Portugal is the European country that tops the list, with an overall score of 92.61.
Dr. Madrid Sartoretto says Portugal’s retirement visa program has been a flagship one for the last 10 years.
“The country started to invest in attracting investors, retirees and digital nomads. Portugal is a country that nowadays scores really well in quality of life,” she says. “Portugal is the safest country in Europe if you look at the World Peace Index. It is one of the most sought-after countries in Europe for retirement.”
The European country offers non-EU citizens the D7 visa, which allows those with steady passive incomes, like pensions or rental income, to retire.
To apply for that visa, you’ll need a minimum income requirement of 870 euros. After the initial residency permit is granted and you’ve lived in Portugal for at least five years, you become eligible to apply for permanent residency or citizenship.
The Portuguese government offers a worldwide tax system, meaning it includes foreign-earned income. Portugal also does not have wealth or inheritance tax for close family members. There is a 10% Stamp duty that applies to others.
Portugal is also renowned for its Golden Visa program. It allows non-EU citizens to gain citizenship or residency in the country through investment, excluding real estate.
The Portuguese government has seen a 72% increase in golden visa approvals, with Americans making up the majority, according to Forbes. Portugal’s Golden Visa program has raised more than $7.2 billion since its introduction in 2012.
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