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Retirement comparisons · 2026

Retire in Europe Side by Side

Which country lets you retire on your pension or savings — and what will it cost? Two countries at a time.

In short

Most retirement routes need a regular income from abroad and private health insurance, and most do not allow any work. Income bars range from about €920 a month in Portugal to €3,500 in Greece. Each comparison shows the retirement visa, healthcare, special tax regimes for pensioners and the cost of living.

Comparisons: key factsLast verified 27 September 2026
Visitor permit ("pink slip")Temporary residence for people who will not work: up to 1 year, renewable; needs income from abroad, health insurance and a lease Source: GK Law Firm: the pink slip (temporary residence permit for visitors) · Theofanidis: temporary residence permit in Cyprus
Visitor visa (visiteur)For people living on their own means who will not work in France; income at least the net SMIC — €1,477.93 a month (from June 2026) Source: Service-Public: temporary residence card "visiteur" · Service-Public: SMIC (minimum wage)
Financially independent person (FIP)€3,500 a month (€42,000 a year), +20% for a spouse and +15% per child; no work in Greece Source: TaxLaw Greece: residence permit for financially independent persons (Feb 2026)
Elective residence visaAbout €31,000 a year of passive income per adult (US consulates ask about €62,000 for a couple); registered lease or deed; no work of any kind, including remote work Source: Consulate General of Italy in Houston: elective residence visa checklist (Dec 2025) · Embassy of Italy in Washington: elective residence visa
Pensioner permit: minimum pension€1,231/month personal, regular pension (from 1 Apr 2026) Source: PMLP: Necessary means of subsistence (from 1 Apr 2026)
Malta Retirement ProgrammePension at least 75% of your taxable income; 15% tax on pension remitted to Malta, minimum €7,500 a year (+€500 per dependant); €2,500 fee; at least 90 days a year in Malta (rules until end-2026) Source: CSB Group: MRP · CSB Group: Malta tax residence programmes from 2027
D7 passive income visaPassive income of at least €920 a month in 2026 (+50% for a spouse, +30% per child); consulates usually expect about 12 months of that (€11,040) in a Portuguese bank Source: What Portugal's 2026 Minimum Wage Rise Means for Visas: Portugalist · Portugalist: D7 visa requirements 2026
Non-lucrative visaPassive income or savings of 400% of IPREM — €2,400 a month or €28,800 a year in 2026 — plus €600 a month (€7,200 a year) per dependant; no work of any kind, including remote work Source: Consulate General of Spain in New York – Non-Working Residence Visa · Consulate General of Spain in Chicago – Non-Lucrative Residence Visa

At a Glance

Retirement Visas in the Countries We Compare

CountryRetirement / passive-income visa
CyprusVisitor permit ("pink slip") or Category F — income from abroad, no work
FranceVisitor visa — income at least €1,477.93 net a month; no work in France
GreeceFinancially independent person — €3,500 a month; no work
ItalyElective residence visa — about €31,000 a year of passive income; no work at all
LatviaPensioner permit — pension at least €1,231 a month (2026); private health insurance
MaltaMalta Retirement Programme — pension at least 75% of income; 15% tax, minimum €7,500
PortugalD7 visa — passive income from €920 a month (2026)
SpainNon-lucrative visa — €2,400 a month; no work at all, not even remote

Retirement by country →Retirement visas compared →Retirement countries compared side by side →

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How do you compare the countries?

Every comparison uses the same points — cost of living in the capital, visa routes, residence and citizenship, healthcare, taxes and daily life — taken from our country fact registers and city guides, which are checked against official sources. Where one side is clearly better for most Americans, it gets a tick.

Can you help me choose?

Yes. Book a free consultation — we look at your income, work, family and timing and tell you honestly which country and visa fit.

Across Europe

Every guide and comparison

Written by US GO EU TeamResearched from official sources in each country · How we research and update

✓ Facts verified 27 September 2026

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