The 20 best places to retire abroad in 2025 with winner ranked as ‘safe and welcoming’

The 20 best places to retire to in 2025 have been ranked and in top spot is a country just a stone’s throw from the UK. The survey looked at at number of factors in each destination to come up with the list.

Taking the crown as the best place for UK retirees to relocate to was Ireland. The research, conducted by international financial advisory and wealth management firm Hoxton Wealth considered 10 criteria in each destination including cost of living, property ownership, lifestyle and healthcare as well as visa access, taxation and safety.

Each destination was then scored from one to 100 which had been benchmarked against the UK, which scored 77 out of 100.

Ireland scored an impressive 85 out of 100, the highest of all countries for visa access and residency pathways.

And the report also noted that post-Brexit, UK citizens retain unique rights under the Common Travel Area (CTA) agreement meaning that UK nationals can live, work, retire, and access public services in Ireland without restriction, offering seamless legal migration unlike any other EU country post-Brexit.

Coming in at joint second place were Portugal and Cyprus with both being highly rated for lifestyle and safety.

Another sunshine spot, Portugal, was recognised for the appeal of its mild winters and hot summers, especially in the south; its relaxed, friendly, outdoor-oriented lifestyle especially around popular expat hubs on the Algarve, the Lisbon coast, the Silver Coast, and on Madeira.

The report noted that it was consistently ranked among the best places to live for retirees globally.

Similarly, Cyprus was highly rated for its climate, for its relaxed, beach-oriented lifestyle, and for being expat-friendly, especially around expat hubs like Paphos, Limassol and Larnaca offering great outdoor living year-round.

Top 20 places to retire to in 2025

*UK benchmark = 77

1 – Ireland = 87

2 – Cyprus = 85

3 – Portugal = 85

4 – Malta = 83

5 – Malaysia = 81

6 – Panama = 81

7 – Spain = 81

8 – Greece = 80

9 – Mauritius = 80

10 – Turkey = 80

11 – UAE = 80

12 – France = 78

13 – Italy = 76

14- Uruguay = 76

15 – Canada = 73

16 – Japan = 73

17 – Thailand = 72

18 – New Zealand = 70

19 – USA = 69

20 – Australia = 68

The report summarised that Ireland is “uniquely positioned for Britons post-Brexit, offering unrivalled access, legal simplicity, and cultural familiarity. It’s especially appealing to those who want to remain close to the UK while living abroad”.

Common language would make integration straightforward. It also scored well economically, with the analysis describing it as “fast-growing and modern, bolstered by tech, pharma, and finance sectors”, and for safety, with it being rated as a “very safe, welcoming environment”.

The top five destinations on the list were made up by Malta and Spain.

Malta, post-Brexit, offers structured, accessible residence schemes for British retirees, with extensive support available from local legal and relocation providers and, with English being an official language, all processes are accessible.

Cost of living was rated as generally lower than the UK, with affordable healthcare, transport, and dining, and although property prices are rising in central areas like Sliema and Valletta, excellent value can still be found in smaller towns and Gozo.

In Spain, Britons are now regarded as third-country nationals and need a visa for stays over 90 days in any 180-day period within the Schengen Zone. Options for retirees include the Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV), which is popular for retirees, but requires proof of sufficient passive income (approx. €28,800/year for individuals).

Lifestyle was rated as one of Spain’s biggest draws, including the dry, sunny, Mediterranean climate, and the expat lifestyle facilitated by large, well-established British communities along the Costa Blanca, Costa del Sol, and in the Balearics.

The countries rated best for cost of living were Malaysia, Turkey and Thailand, with Canada, Japan and Australia scoring the best for economic and political stability.

The UAE was rated best for taxation with no income tax on individuals, no inheritance tax and no tax on pensions or investment income. Although retirees must maintain non-residency in the UK to avoid UK tax obligations, it was viewed as an ideal destination for those seeking a zero-tax retirement.

Chris Ball, CEO of Hoxton Wealth said the research was undertaken to assess which destinations remain attractive and viable for UK retirees today.

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He said: “We’ve taken a structured and comparative approach to evaluate the traditional favourites that have historically drawn the largest numbers of British retirees as well as a series of emerging destinations, alternative countries that are becoming increasingly viable for today’s globally minded retiree.

“In so doing, we can offer a realistic, data-informed, and planning-oriented view of the global retirement landscape, empowering Britons to make smart, secure decisions about where to base their future.

“For decades, British retirees have followed familiar paths when deciding where to spend their later years.

“Places like Spain, France, Australia, and the like have long been seen as safe, sunny, and straightforward. But the world has changed.

“Rising living costs, shifting visa rules post-Brexit, evolving tax landscapes, and new global lifestyle trends mean the decision of where to retire or relocate now involves far more than sunshine and property prices.

“UK residents considering retiring abroad need to look beyond purely the climate or cost of living.”

And he concluded: “The right destination will depend entirely on your personal circumstances—whether you’re looking for a vibrant expat community, lower healthcare costs, or simply a slower pace of life.

“What suits one retiree may not suit another, which is why tailored financial advice is key to making an informed, confident decision.”