Top 5 Retirement Destinations for 2025: Expert Tips from Expats

Jen Stevens hosts a roundtable discussion with expats and experts from the top five countries to retire in 2025: Panama, Portugal, Costa Rica, Mexico, and France.
Learn what makes these countries stand out in terms of lifestyle, affordability, healthcare, and community. Whether you’re considering a retirement destination or simply seeking an exciting new chapter abroad, this video is packed with invaluable insights!
What You’ll Learn:
➡️ Key highlights from the 2025 Global Retirement Index.
➡️ Insider perspectives on life in the top-ranked countries.
➡️ Cost of living, healthcare, visa options, and expat community insights.
00:01 - Meet the 2025 Global Retirement Index and top five countries
01:24 - Why expats love France, Mexico, Costa Rica, Portugal, and Panama
10:03 - How affordable is life abroad? Cost of living insights
24:10 - Healthcare highlights: Top systems for expats
37:24 - Visa options made easy: Residency tips for each country
47:09 - Myths busted: What expats want you to know
56:17 - Building connections: How expats create communities
01:03:44 - Wrap-up: Why IL is your partner for life abroad
#bestplacestoretire #wheretoretire #bestplacestoretirein2025

[@internationalliving]

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[@taragibbons6616]

Thank you Jennifer and thank you also to the panel. It's wonderful how open, friendly and helpful you all have been. Thanks again for this info.

[@laurastaley7627]

It would be really helpful to include taxes for each country.

[@Deeleeshush]

Thanks for info. I am looking into my plans for this year. I appreciate the info ❤

[@vickirio]

Here’s your Portugal healthcare. Think twice before moving here. This year, the government closed around 40 or more pediatric, obstetric, and emergency departments in public hospitals across the country. Many were permanently closed, some of the emergency rooms are now only open part time, some only accept certain types of patients. The hospitals that now have no pediatrics units are less likely to accept kids at emergency and can turn them away. This is due to money issues and major staff shortages. Some of the private hospitals seem to be following suit, they are also having staffing shortages. The staff shortages are due to the fact that 60% of the doctor / nursing workforce literally leaves Portugal every single year (those numbers are from the Order of Nurses, and they know exact numbers, because nurses must apply for their documents from them before they leave). Thats more than the number that graduates from university each year. They leave due to poor pay, poor working conditions, and poor medical care. The government has been aware of the staffing shortages and the leaving rate for many years, and has done nothing. Their only solution is to keep closing hospital departments and restricting services. Since nothing has been done to address the actual shortages, its only going to get worse each year. So BOTH private and public hospitals are suffering, if theres no staff, theres no staff.

[@JessyRamos-b4y]

Does not sound much different from shortages of healthcare workers in US!

[@crwnofenlightenment]

Thank you for the insight Vicki. Do you provide consultations regarding portugal?

[@janej6853]

Very interesting video! I am wondering how people go about finding expat communities when they move?

[@peterezzell3865]

Taxes? for your top countries. Especially for retirees on US Social Security with total retirement income in the $50,000 to $100,000 per year. We have to pay US taxes regardless, but are there additional taxes in these countries?

[@ibelieveinjesuschrist8911]

excellent panel

[@dianaluik888]

very interesting to hear from locals, I find it still a bit tricky because you 'only' compare to the USA. For example Europe got very expensive. Comparing 'only' from NYC for example is not a the average of the rest of the world. I would like to hear more about ASIA, I was surprised it was not part of the top countries. ThaNk you for all the information!

[@tracylauriente8657]

is the international living membership beneficial for Canadians as well?

[@jotownzer473]

Thank you for the information and the discussion that highlites the dismal healthcare system we have in America, which is about to get worse.

[@jellycream1964]

What are the dismal aspects of the American health system do you believe?

[@jnsa9454]

Curious what's on the 6-10 list? Anything on SE Asia? Maybe do a part 2 panel?

[@internationalliving]

You can find the full list here: internationalliving.com/the-best-places-to-retire/

[@jnsa9454]

@internationalliving thank you✌🏽

[@GracielaMcdonald-q8k]

Can you recommend a private health insurance company in Portugal?

[@SharonTiller-kb7ht]

Hi, I went to site and couldn't get signed up? Looks like lots of info, I scrolled and scrolled but not a place to sign up.

[@tral403Hrytw]

Portugal homes are full of mold! Love the country, but cant live there. Lots of humidity and poor insulation.

[@aairsick]

A dehumidifier helps

[@juliettegooden-millis6048]

In Fl I have a dehumidifier in the house and empty every day. Very helpful.

[@tral403Hrytw]

@@juliettegooden-millis6048 I cant even imagine living a life where you have to constantly empty a dehumidifier to live a comfy life; I used to live in moldy basements as a student , but as a grown up, no thank you. Retired life should be comfortable. Portugal is not what many make it out to be. It is a poor country with a lack of lot facilities.

[@agl5132]

Many countries do. I've had it in the US, Ireland, Scotland and many tropical climates. Dehumidifier and proper ventilation.

[@tral403Hrytw]

@@agl5132 I live in the US and in a nice house, and zero mold!

[@Deeleeshush]

Please don’t use the word cheap. It is not cheap for the many of the locals

[@user-oe7gc5py4c]

Dollar is getting weak, not good deal to retire abroad.

[@JessyRamos-b4y]

Try living with prices in the US

[@kevinspriggs7178]

Dollar is trading at .965 to the Euro right now.

[@flupu20]

Curious what criteria you use for this index. Aside from Costa Rica, lose quite a bit of respect and credibility for you guys when you have to countries like France and Mexico at the top. Those countries have become so corrupt and unstable politically. Not sure why any sane person would choose to live there instead of places like Uruguay, Switzerland, even hear good things about Vietnam and Singapore. Europe spiraling down the toilet.

[@RRSS2009]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@aairsick]

as if the US isn’t in the same boat

[@mariandalyyildiz8983]

Quality of life, community, fresh healthy food these are just a few things that are better outside the USA. Oh, I forgot to mention the lack of violence especially guns is pretty much non existent in most other countries. One more thing….health care is affordable and good.

[@internationalliving]

For our 2025 Annual Global Retirement Index, we’ve used seven categories to carefully determine the best locations in the world for retirement. You can learn more about how it's compiled here: internationalliving.com/the-best-places-to-retire/

[@vickirio]

France has probably the best tax treaty with the US. Wish I had known sooner. Portugal will tax your SS and worldwide income at a ridiculous rate.