Americans Pursuing Retirement and Golden Visas are eyeing emerging hotspots around the globe
Top Destinations for Americans Seeking a New Life Abroad in 2025
Americans looking to start a new chapter abroad have a variety of options, with several EU countries and other popular destinations offering golden visa programs and retirement visas that cater to a range of budgets. According to Patricia Casaburi, CEO of Global Citizen Solutions, these are the top destinations for Americans seeking golden visas, retirement visas, and a new life abroad in 2025:
- Portugal
Portugal has emerged as the leading choice for both golden visa investors and retirees among Americans. The Portugal Golden Visa program is highly popular due to its fast path to citizenship, minimal stay requirements (two weeks annually), high-quality healthcare, and access to the entire EU Schengen zone. For retirees, the Portugal D7 visa appeals with low passive income requirements, excellent healthcare, and affordable living costs.
- Greece
Greece is another top choice for golden visa seekers, especially because of the affordable investment threshold, fast processing (residency within 60 days), and a low income tax rate starting at 9% for expats. It also offers a digital nomad visa welcoming remote workers along with affordable healthcare and low living costs.
- Malta and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Both Malta and the UAE are frequently highlighted as exclusive golden visa destinations favored by wealthy Americans. Malta offers European residency benefits, while the UAE provides investment and residency opportunities outside the EU.
- Costa Rica
As one of the best retirement visa destinations in Central America, Costa Rica attracts Americans with affordable living, good healthcare, political stability, and an accessible Pensionado (retirement) visa.
- Cyprus
Known for its golden visa program via real estate investment, Cyprus is noted for English being widely spoken and its attractiveness to Americans seeking residency through investment in real estate.
Other countries on CNTraveler's list of countries where Americans can retire abroad include Thailand, Malta, Portugal, Spain, Greece, Colombia, Nicaragua, the Philippines, Panama, and Costa Rica. Interestingly, four out of the five trending countries for Americans to find golden visas are on both the retirement and golden visa lists—Portugal, Greece, Panama, and Costa Rica.
The Global Retirement Report 2025, authored by Global Citizen Solutions, collected data across 20 indicators and six indices to determine the top retirement destinations. The report evaluated 44 global destinations offering retirement visas and named Portugal, Mauritius, Spain, Uruguay, Austria, Italy, Slovenia, Malta, Latvia, and Chile as the top ten countries for retirement.
The increased interest in Europe's golden visa programs has been significant, with applications from Americans rising eightfold between 2020 and 2023. This trend is reflected in Portugal's golden visa applications from Americans surpassing those from Chinese investors for the first time.
These retirement-friendly countries offer pleasant climates, rich cultures, thriving communities, affordable living costs, and a high quality of life. A 2024 study by Edith Cowan University found that positive travel experiences boost both physical and mental health by exposing individuals to new environments and encouraging social and physical engagement.
Investment ranges for Portugal's golden visa are between $291,000 and $581,000. In Greece, a golden visa for renovated homes costs $291,000. Costa Rica is popular due to its high quality of life for under $2,000 per month. The Pensionado Visa in Panama requires a $1,000 per month income requirement.
As more Americans look to start a new life abroad, these destinations provide a wealth of opportunities for those seeking a change of pace, a lower cost of living, and a chance to immerse themselves in new cultures.
- In addition to considering countries like Greece and Portugal for their Golden Visa programs, Americans seeking a new life abroad may also find opportunities in Malta and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as these locations are popular for wealthy Americans seeking exclusive golden visa destinations.
- For those interested in science, health-and-wellness, and lifestyle, it's worth noting that edith Cowan University conducted a study in 2024, finding that positive travel experiences significantly boost both physical and mental health, especially in cases where individuals are exposed to new environments and encouraged to engage socially and physically.
- When considering financial aspects, it's important to note that Costa Rica is a popular retirement destination in Central America due to its affordable living costs, while investment ranges for Portugal's Golden Visa programs start at $291,000 and go up to $581,000.
- In terms of education and self-development, the Global Retirement Report 2025 named Portugal, Mauritius, Spain, Uruguay, Austria, Italy, Slovenia, Malta, Latvia, and Chile as the top ten countries for retirement, with Portugal emerging as the leading choice among Americans for its fast path to citizenship, exceptional healthcare, and access to the EU Schengen zone.
