2025 Best Places: Rest of Top 10
6. Spain
Spain dropped one spot in the rankings to No. 6 for 2025. Most Spanish residency visas require expats to purchase private Spanish health insurance, which does not cover prescriptions—”but these are so cheap it’s laughable,” said ILSpain Correspondent Marsha Scarbrough. North Americans who want to live in Spain need residency visas. The non-lucrative visa is a retirement visa that does not allow you to work at all, anywhere in the world. Its financial requirement is about $32,000 a year in passive income (pensions, investments, rents) and/or savings. You must apply for this visa from the U.S. or Canada. The permanent residency visa allows you to work and is automatically issued within Spain after five years of residency. If you move quickly, the golden visa may be an option as Spanish lawmakers have proposed ending this visa sometime in 2025.A new addition in the past year is the telework visa, also known as the digital nomad visa.
7. Malaysia
Malaysia moved up one spot in the rankings to seventh for 2025. The dynamic and colorful Southeast Asian nation is celebrated for its rich cultural tapestry, breathtaking landscapes, and fascinating history. A combination of affordable housing and low daily expenses allows retirees to stretch their savings while enjoying a high quality of life. For those looking to stay long-term, Malaysia provides several visa options tailored to retirees and digital nomads.
8. Greece
Greece swapped spots with Malaysia, dropping one to eighth for 2025. A significant advantage of living in Greece is the affordable cost of living. Outside of popular tourist spots like Athens and Santorini, places like Corfu make living comfortably on a modest budget entirely possible. Greece has made it easier for retirees to stay long-term by offering flexible visa options. The Greek “Digital Nomad Visa” allows non-EU citizens to live in Greece for up to two years, and the “Golden Visa” provides residency to those who invest in property. The Retirement Visa is another excellent option for those with Social Security or pensions.
9. Italy
Italy did not make the top 10 in last year’s rankings but comes in at No. 9 for 2025. While iconic cities like Rome, Milan, Venice, Florence, and Naples often come to mind, the true essence of Italy lies in its smaller, more inviting locales where life is simpler and more rewarding. The cost of living in Italy is another significant draw, often about half of what you’d expect in the United States. Securing a long-term visa to live in Italy is manageable, though it requires preparation and patience. Applicants must demonstrate financial stability, explain their reasons for moving, and verify their identity through a face-to-face meeting at the consulate assigned to their state or county.
10. Thailand
Want to really get away? For Americans, Thailand is as far as you can go without starting to come back. Healthcare in Thailand isn’t just good—it’s a thriving industry. People from all over the globe come here for high-quality and affordable treatment. The “medical tourism” business ensures that expats have access to world-class hospitals and doctors. Several types of long-stay visas are available, including a basic retirement visa, a new 10-year LTR (Long Term Resident) visa that requires significant income or investment, and now a Digital Nomad Visa for expats who want to work remotely from Thailand. Visa laws here are quite fluid and constantly change to accommodate expats more.
Read International Living’s Annual Global Retirement Index for 2025 here.
SEE ALSO:
• 5 Best Places to Move if You Don’t Like Election Results
• 2024’s 10 Best Places in the World to Retire
• 10 ‘Wealthiest, Safest’ Retirement Towns
Veteran financial services industry journalist Brian Anderson joined 401(k) Specialist as Managing Editor in January 2019. He has led editorial content for a variety of well-known properties including Insurance Forums, Life Insurance Selling, National Underwriter Life & Health, and Senior Market Advisor. He has always maintained a focus on providing readers with timely, useful information intended to help them build their business.
