Ready to Retire in Europe? A How-to-Guide to Retirement Outside of the U.S.

If retiring is something that you can’t get off of your mind, it might be a good idea to plan ahead. The U.S. is bustling with great vacation spots, fun nightlife, and beautiful scenery – but after spending your entire life working in the country, the idea of retiring there might be a little daunting. Why not check off your bucket list and retire in Europe? Although it will not be an easy process, the payoffs can be great – and you can enjoy the rest of your life in the authentic old world!

Figure Out Your Finances

The first step is to calculate how much money you will be receiving during retirement. At this point in your career, you probably have a great handle on your finances.  Looking at pensions, social security, investments, and any other sorts of income will help you figure out this amount and calculate it.  Figuring out your finances will help you know where and what you can afford.

Find Out Where You Want to Go

After you have figured out your income, you need to figure out what kind of lifestyle you could live based on your income. If you don’t think that you will have enough money for the lifestyle, figure out where you want to go, how you would want to live, and how you’ll start saving for it. Maybe rent a car and take a road trip throughout Europe to find your perfect location. Considering things like health care and car insurance quotes abroad can help save money.


France is an opulent first-world country to choose for retirement. However, most of the residents earn a salary that would be equivalent to $30,000 in the United States. In this country, you can enjoy low real estate prices with a high quality of life, if you are open to living like a national. Great food, comprehensive health care, and nature are all benefits of living there.


Many people retire in Spain because it is one of the least expensive locations in Europe. Some families completely move there, while others live there only part time. Spain has preserved its history and culture, and even though it is in a recession, people still are able to enjoy what they consider a quality lifestyle with castles, wine, great food, and many locations to travel to. There are also public and private health care options.


This is a place where you can have the ocean, the sun, and the convenience of the English language on one island. The island also has low rent and friendly people. For culture, there are several islands, but only three are actually inhabited. There is cheap food, travel, and a gold standard health insurance in Malta.


The trick to living cheaply in Italy is to move south. There are longer summers, shorter winters, and cheaper rent and utilities the further you go south. There are not a lot of English speakers, but people retire here for the history, food, and rural lifestyle. You can enjoy the ocean with the other tourists or just relax and take it all in. Aquila, Italy, is one of the best places to retire on a budget.


Portugal is rich in history, culture, and character. It is small in comparison to the other countries, but the food, history, and atmosphere remain pure and unchanged. The government has preserved the old culture, but it is still up-to-date in things like free WiFi in the cafes. With rent at about $300 USD a month, you can definitely live here on a budget. English is spoken and there is a diverse group of cultures in Portugal.

What are Your Tax Obligations

As a United States citizen in other countries, you might have special tax obligations to fulfill. If using your retirement money, or if you are going to be employed in another country, you should consult with an accountant that specializes in retiring abroad to make sure that you are tax compliant.

Repair Your Credit

If retiring does not look like an option due to bad credit, you should find the best credit repair companies to help you save for the future and make your retiring dreams come true.

Retiring in Europe is an adventure of a lifetime and will give your retirement joy beyond measure. There are several places to choose from to make the most out of your retirement. Before you make the move, there are a few things to take care of – but if you’re careful and well researched, then you’re bound to have a marvelous time.