A relocation expert has named 2025’s top destinations for retirees, with Portugal topping the list alongside Costa Rica and Panama.
The European hub has long attracted Britons keen to escape the dreary weather of the UK.
But Expat advisor Kristin, from the YouTube channel Travelling with Kristin, argued the country ticks several additional boxes on a retiree's checklist.
She said the country also owes much of its popularity to exemplary safety and healthcare standards.
Portugal offers world-class healthcare
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Kristin explained that Portugal offers modern healthcare, infrastructure throughout its cities, and an efficient transportation network.
She told viewers: “If you’re thinking of retiring abroad, you’ll want somewhere with a good lifestyle, low cost, friendly people and high-quality healthcare.
“Year after year, Portugal is near the top of International Living’s retirement index and for good reason.
“It offers world-class healthcare, safety and a relaxed lifestyle.
“Whether you’re drawn to the beaches of the Algarve, the wine country of Porto, or a quiet inland town, life in Portugal is affordable with top-notch healthcare and a D7 visa that makes retiring here easy.
“It is one of the most affordable countries in Western Europe, and it’s also ranked as one of the safest.”
Portugal's coastal location provides an optimal climate, with beach weather available in the south and more cosmopolitan living in Lisbon, while Porto offers a cooler, more relaxed lifestyle.
Kristin noted that the country's high safety standards alone have attracted thousands of foreigners and retirees over the past few years.
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Kristin listed the pros and cons of the European destination
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“It’s very safe and for that reason has attracted thousands of foreigners and retirees over the last few years,” she explained.
However, she pointed out that Portugal ended some of the benefits of its NHR tax program in 2024, meaning retirees can expect to pay taxes on their pensions.
She also warned that the housing market is currently in crisis, with property prices becoming “shockingly expensive” in cities such as Lisbon.
Kristin advised that those wanting to live in the centre of the action should prepare to pay more than they would in the towns and suburbs.
