Looking to Find a place to retire? While many of these countries wont give you a second passport that easily, if you play your cards right, apply for the right programs, you may just find yourself living in some of the worlds most desirable places.
9. MALAYSIA
Malaysia is one of the best choices for permanent residence. The Southeast Asian country has a great climate, beautiful outdoors and idyllic beaches. It is one of the more Western-friendly of the Asian countries, and English is very widely spoken.
Even though Malaysia is very developed it is still extremely affordable to live as an expat. The healthcare system is excellent and affordable, the country is very safe and stable, and the locals are friendly and welcoming. In addition, Malaysia is one of the easier places to obtain residency. This, along with their tax-friendly legislation (Malaysia has a territorial tax system meaning all income from foreign sources is tax-exempt), makes it an ideal place for digital nomads and offshore business owners to set up shop.
8. THAILAND
Thailand is another of the Southeast Asian nations that has long been a favorite for tourists, travelers and expats alike. Thailand has both a very low cost of living along with a friendly territorial tax system, which means you can enjoy a high quality of life for very little.
If your income is generated outside of the country, you may be able to get away with paying zero taxes if you have established yourself as a tax resident. Furthermore, Thailand is known to be one of the most enjoyable places to live, with a tropical climate, beautiful islands and beaches, and very welcoming inhabitants. You will quickly feel right at home.
7. AUSTRALIA
More people are choosing to emigrate to Australia for good reason. Australia offers some of the best wage rates in the world, and there are many good employment opportunities for expats (including anything from picking fruit to working as an office clerk).
Many go to Australia just for this reason, but the benefits don’t end there. Australia has one of the best living standards in the world, excellent education and healthcare as well as a highly developed infrastructure and public service. This, along with its warm climate and beautiful outdoors make it a great place to live.
6. NEW ZEALAND
The laid-back and friendly lifestyle in New Zealand, along with its stunning natural landscapes, is a draw for many expats and retirees. It is one of the safest countries in the world, with excellent state-sponsored healthcare and good public services.
Wages are not as high and if you reside there you might have a harder time reducing your tax burden. But sometimes paying a little more in tax gives you a lot of benefits, and New Zealand is one of those places. You will certainly be able to live comfortably and enjoy the utmost quality of life on the Kiwi soil.
5. SINGAPORE
Singapore is one of the most well-developed and wealthiest nations in the world. This makes it not cheap to live, but the average annual salary of the inhabitants is in excess of 65,000 USD. This means that as a qualified expat, you’ll have access to high-paying employment opportunities.
In addition, Singapore has one of the best banking systems, friendly tax legislation and simple incorporation laws, making it a great choice for entrepreneurs and digital nomads alike. It is a safe, highly sophisticated and functional place to live.
4. JAPAN
Japan has literally millions of foreigners who have taken up residence within its borders, so you would be joining a thriving expat community. Appealing for its rich culture, exciting city life (especially in Tokyo), and very alternative way of life compared to the West. Like China, it is a popular place for English language teachers, as well as offering many other employment and business opportunities for expats from the West. As an English-speaker, you will be warmly welcomed and respected in Japanese society.
Japanese culture can be a little disorientating, and it is very hard to emigrate there as compared to Thailand or other Asian countries. Nevertheless, the people who have decided to live in Japan are not worried about the difficulties but are there because there really is nothing else in the world that compares.
3. SWITZERLAND
Switzerland ticks all the boxes for prospective expats. It offers very high living standards, great employment opportunities (unemployment is very rare in Switzerland and it is very easy to find work as an expat), breath-taking nature, and a host of outdoor activities.
It is also ideal for those who are seeking residency primarily for tax and offshore finances. It has a territorial tax system meaning that income generated from companies abroad is tax free. It also has probably the safest banking system in the world, so your wealth will be well-looked after.
2. MEXICO
Mexico can be an all-round fantastic place to live. It is an especially good option for Americans who would like to move somewhere nearby where they can get a lot more for a lot less. That’s because Mexico is incredibly affordable, whilst still offering the kind of high quality lifestyle that many are after.
Mexico offers something for just about everyone, with its very pleasant and diverse climates, geographies, and housing options. In addition, as a resident, you will qualify for Mexico’s very good national health plan, and can also receive senior citizen discounts if you are over the age of 60. Instead of struggling to make ends meet as a US city dweller, you can easily be living a very comfortable and stress-free life in warm and welcoming Mexico.
1. PANAMA
There are a number of factors which come together to make Panama the perfect choice for expats wanting to live overseas. First off, it is relatively easy to obtain residency through their Panama Friendly Nations Visa. This, along with its proximity to the United States, has helped make it very popular with expat communities from the US. English is the widely spoken language in Panama which makes day-to-day dealings much easier.
It is also one of the best offshore banking centers, and offers very low taxes with a territorial tax system. Tropical weather, beautiful beaches, and an all-round great quality of life, make it an attractive place to live at a fraction of the cost compared to the US.
