Spain among top 10 best countries to retire in 2026
A delicate balance of factors keeps Spain among the best countries in the world for foreigners looking for a place to spend their golden years.
A delicate balance of factors keeps Spain among the best countries in the world for foreigners looking for a place to spend their golden years.
Far from remaining inactive, retirement for many people is the perfect opportunity to change one’s life by seeking a better climate to enjoy a greater quality of life and even reduce costs. The Annual Global Retirement Index 2026 of International Living once again ranks the most attractive countries for retirees looking to live abroad. And Spain again ranks among the top ten best destinations in the world.
The annual report, published in December 2025, analyses the most important factors for those choosing a country to spend their retirement in. And these elements are based on the experiences of foreigners currently living abroad.
Retirement is increasingly viewed by many as an opportunity to begin afresh in a new place. And selecting a destination involves balancing costs, climate, security, and infrastructure. European, Latin American and Asian countries are leaders in catering to the needs of international retirees.
THE TOP 10 RETIREMENT SPOTS FOR 2026
Greece, Portugal, Italy, France and Spain are the five European countries among the top ten. European destinations are highly regarded by foreign retirees for not only the cultural heritage, fine cuisine, agreeable climate and social life, but for the quality of healthcare and the sense of civic security.
Asia is represented in the top ten with Thailand and Malaysia, two countries that appeal for their low cost and ex-patriate communities. Furthermore, exotic culture and gastronomic distinctions are two common reasons why these countries turn out to be fascinating destinations.
- Greece - 90.1
- Panama - 89.3
- Costa Rica - 87.6
- Portugal - 87.4
- Mexico - 87.3
- Italy - 85.3
- France - 84.4
- Spain - 83.7
- Thailand - 80.0
- Malaysia - 79.3
The top five retirement destinations are all in Latin America. The second, third and fifth positions are held by Panama, Costa Rica and Mexico respectively. The most popular reasons cited are climate, easy adaptability, residential options, infrastructure development and lower cost of living compared to the United States or Europe.
Spain, occupying the eighth position, continues to rank as one of the best places in the world for retirees. The report especially highlights the quality of the healthcare system, the mild climate, outdoor living, walkable cities and tightly-knit ex-patriate communities, especially along the coast and in the major cities. Additionally, International Living notes Spain’s non-lucrative visa as the principal way for retirees with passive income to live in Spain.
Along with Spain, other European countries like Greece, Portugal, Italy and France make the ranking as top spots for retirees. In all of them, factors such as healthcare, infrastructure, security, gastronomy and quality of life played a leading role.
Spain’s consistent presence in annual rankings affirms people’s priorities for quality of life that includes a balance of culture, gastronomy, climate, accessible healthcare and international connections. Additionally, Spain offers plenty of appealing spots to retire to, including highly rated cities like Valencia, Madrid, Bilbao and San Sebastián-Donostia.
Idyllic retirement options abound, but Spain continues to defend its spot in the sun among the world’s best places thanks to a formula difficult to surpass. Spain’s warm climate, vibrant social life, cultural legacy and good healthcare system are the reasons why many foreigners associate Spain with well-being.
You can also read this article in Spanish here.