Nepal
A solid all-round choice. Ranked 43 of 55, strongest on affordability, softest on healthcare.
- Healthcare 32
- Retiree visa 72
- Affordability 95
- Safety 52
- Climate 84
- Expat community not verified58
1 of 6 axes rest on data we could not verify yet; those score a neutral 50 and are marked "not verified".
- Retirement visaYesResidential Visaimmigration.gov.np
- Min incomeMediumimmigration.gov.np
- Monthly budgetMuch lower than the USnumbeo.com
- HealthcareBasicen.wikipedia.org
- SafetyModerateen.wikipedia.org
- Top citiesKathmandu, Pokhara, Lalitpur (Patan)
Good to know
- Dedicated retirement visaResidential Visaimmigration.gov.np
- Low cost of livingNumbeo estimates a single person's costs at about USD 310 per month excluding rent.numbeo.com
- Comfortable climateNepal has five seasons (summer, monsoon, autumn, winter and spring); climate varies dramatically with altitude, from tropical/subtropical Terai plains to alpine peaks, with heavy monsoon rain in summer.en.wikipedia.org
Watch out for
- Limited healthcareHealthcare in Nepal is generally regarded as failing to meet international standards, with severe physician shortages (historically about one doctor per 18,400 people) and most hospitals clustered in cities while rural areas lack basic care.en.wikipedia.org
- Safety needs attentionNepal ranks 111th of 163 on the 2026 Global Peace Index (score 2.143), a mid-to-lower tier globally though more peaceful than Pakistan; political strikes (bandhs) and demonstrations occur periodically.en.wikipedia.org
- Expat community data not verified yet
Visa & residency
Applicant must show a source of income of USD 20,000 per year (about USD 1,667/month) in convertible foreign currency, plus a bank statement; must be aged 60+ or show proof of retirement. Visa fee is roughly USD 700 per year (USD 1,200 on renewal).
Nepal has no visa branded a 'retirement visa', but its Residential Visa is explicitly open to retirees (age 60+ or proof of retirement) and to other foreigners meeting the income requirement; it also requires a health certificate, character certificate and an embassy no-objection letter.
Healthcare
Healthcare in Nepal is generally regarded as failing to meet international standards, with severe physician shortages (historically about one doctor per 18,400 people) and most hospitals clustered in cities while rural areas lack basic care.
Expats typically use Kathmandu's private hospitals for routine care and travel to India or Thailand for serious conditions; comprehensive international health insurance with medical-evacuation cover is strongly advised.
Cost of living
Numbeo estimates a single person's costs at about USD 310 per month excluding rent.
Rent in Nepal is on average about 92% lower than in the United States according to Numbeo.
Safety
Nepal ranks 111th of 163 on the 2026 Global Peace Index (score 2.143), a mid-to-lower tier globally though more peaceful than Pakistan; political strikes (bandhs) and demonstrations occur periodically.
Climate
Highland, monsoon-influenced climate ranging from subtropical lowlands through temperate hills to alpine and arctic high Himalaya
Nepal has five seasons (summer, monsoon, autumn, winter and spring); climate varies dramatically with altitude, from tropical/subtropical Terai plains to alpine peaks, with heavy monsoon rain in summer.
Community & language
No verified data yet
Nepal scores 514 on the 2025 EF English Proficiency Index, placing it in the 'moderate proficiency' band; English is widely used in tourism hubs such as Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Nepali is the official language; the constitution recognises all mother tongues spoken in Nepal as national languages.
Taxes
Resident individuals are taxed on worldwide income; where income includes a pension, taxable income is first reduced by the lower of 25% or the pension amount before tax is calculated.
Nepal has double taxation avoidance agreements (DTAAs) and grants residents a foreign tax credit for tax paid abroad, up to the average rate of tax applicable in Nepal.
Popular retirement spots
Where retirees in Nepal tend to settle, and the honest reason why. Each note shows its source.
Kathmandu
Nepal's capital at about 1,400 m, rich in cultural heritage but burdened by serious air pollution (PM2.5 far above WHO limits) and heavy traffic.
Pokhara
A relaxed lakeside city on Phewa Lake with Annapurna mountain views, a slower pace than Kathmandu and a strong tourism and outdoor-recreation scene.
Lalitpur (Patan)
A heritage city directly south of Kathmandu, known for Patan Durbar Square and its arts-and-crafts tradition, offering capital-city access with a calmer, less urbanised character.
Questions about retiring in Nepal
Answered from the verified data on this page. Every answer shows its source; anything we have not confirmed says so plainly rather than guessing.
- Does Nepal have a retirement visa?
Yes. Nepal offers the Residential Visa.
immigration.gov.np- How much monthly income do I need to retire in Nepal?
As a guide: Applicant must show a source of income of USD 20,000 per year (about USD 1,667/month) in convertible foreign currency, plus a bank statement; must be aged 60+ or show proof of retirement. Visa fee is roughly USD 700 per year (USD 1,200 on renewal). Treat this as indicative and verify the current official figure before you rely on it.
immigration.gov.np- Is healthcare good for expats in Nepal?
Healthcare quality is rated basic. Healthcare in Nepal is generally regarded as failing to meet international standards, with severe physician shortages (historically about one doctor per 18,400 people) and most hospitals clustered in cities while rural areas lack basic care. On cost: Expats typically use Kathmandu's private hospitals for routine care and travel to India or Thailand for serious conditions; comprehensive international health insurance with medical-evacuation cover is strongly advised.
en.wikipedia.org- How expensive is it to retire in Nepal?
Much lower than the US. A comfortable single-retiree budget is Numbeo estimates a single person's costs at about USD 310 per month excluding rent.
numbeo.com- Is Nepal safe?
Moderate. Nepal ranks 111th of 163 on the 2026 Global Peace Index (score 2.143), a mid-to-lower tier globally though more peaceful than Pakistan; political strikes (bandhs) and demonstrations occur periodically.
en.wikipedia.org- What is the climate like in Nepal?
The climate is Highland, monsoon-influenced climate ranging from subtropical lowlands through temperate hills to alpine and arctic high Himalaya. Nepal has five seasons (summer, monsoon, autumn, winter and spring); climate varies dramatically with altitude, from tropical/subtropical Terai plains to alpine peaks, with heavy monsoon rain in summer.
en.wikipedia.org- Where do retirees live in Nepal?
Popular retirement spots include Kathmandu, Pokhara and Lalitpur (Patan).
en.wikipedia.org
Compare Nepal with its closest rivals
The three countries whose RetireScore sits nearest.
