Every Country That Offers a Retirement Visa in 2026
A complete list of every country with a dedicated retirement or passive-income visa. Income thresholds, requirements, and links to the official source.
Every Country That Offers a Retirement Visa in 2026
A dedicated retirement visa is the cleanest path to living abroad: it tells immigration that you have the means to support yourself without taking a local job, and in return you get a clear, renewable residence permit. This guide lists every country that currently offers one, with the income threshold, the key condition, and where to find the official source.
Not every country calls it a "retirement visa." Some use "pensioner visa," "rentista visa," "non-lucrative visa," or "retirement residence permit." What they share is the core idea: you prove passive or pension income and the country lets you stay, usually for one year at a time, renewable as long as you still meet the requirements.
Some countries with retirement visas are not on this list because the visa exists on paper but is not practically accessible: closed programs, multi-year backlogs, or requirements that effectively exclude foreign retirees (e.g., requiring a local sponsor who assumes financial liability). This list covers programs a foreign retiree can realistically apply for and get.
Every number below is sourced from the official immigration authority website as of mid-2026. Income thresholds change, so always verify the current figure on the official site before you plan around it. At RetireSpots, every number shows its source: this is our honesty brand.
Asia-Pacific retirement visas
| Country | Visa name | Monthly income threshold (single) | Key condition | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thailand | Non-Immigrant O-A / O-X | THB 65,000/month or THB 800,000 in Thai bank | Over 50. O-X requires higher assets and is 5-year. | immigration.go.th |
| Malaysia | MM2H (Malaysia My Second Home) | Varies by tier. Silver: RM 5,000/month or RM 600,000 savings | Revised 2024 tiers (Silver/Gold/Platinum). Age 35+. | motac.gov.my |
| Philippines | SRRV (Special Resident Retiree's Visa) | USD 800/month pension OR USD 10,000 deposit | Deposit held in Philippine bank. Over 50 for most categories. | pra.gov.ph |
| Indonesia | Retirement KITAS | USD 1,500/month income or proof of funds | Over 55. Sponsor requirement (agency handles). | imigrasi.go.id |
| Cambodia | ER Visa (Retirement Visa) | No formal income threshold listed | Over 55. Annual renewal. Minimum documentation. | evisa.gov.kh |
| Sri Lanka | My Dream Home Visa | USD 1,500/month pension | Deposit USD 15,000 in Sri Lankan bank. Over 55. | immigration.gov.lk |
| South Korea | F-2 (Resident) - Real Estate route | Investment-based, not income-based | Real estate investment of KRW 500M+ in designated areas. Not a pure retirement visa but used by retirees. | hikorea.go.kr |
Thailand's O-A requires a mandatory health insurance policy (THB 400,000 inpatient / THB 40,000 outpatient) or proof of equivalent coverage. The Philippines SRRV is one of the lowest-threshold retirement visas available anywhere. Cambodia's ER visa is the least bureaucratic in the region, requiring essentially a passport, proof of being over 55, and the fee.
Latin America retirement visas
| Country | Visa name | Monthly income threshold (single) | Key condition | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panama | Pensionado (Retirement Visa) | USD 1,000/month lifetime pension | Over 18 (no age minimum). Famous for discounts. | migracion.gob.pa |
| Costa Rica | Pensionado (Pensioner) | USD 1,000/month lifetime pension | Must deposit pension in local bank. Over 55. | migracion.go.cr |
| Costa Rica | Rentista (Passive Income) | USD 2,500/month for 2 years OR USD 60,000 deposit | Alternative if you have assets but no pension. | migracion.go.cr |
| Mexico | Residencia Temporal (via solvencia economica) | Roughly USD 3,200-3,900/month OR savings of USD 50,000-65,000 | Thresholds vary by consulate. The consulate you apply at sets the exact figure. | gob.mx/inm |
| Ecuador | Pensionado (Retirement Visa) | USD 1,425/month (1x unified basic salary, changes annually) | Must prove source is permanent and irrevocable. | migracion.gob.ec |
| Ecuador | Rentista (Passive Income) | USD 2,850/month (2x unified basic salary) | Investment income, rental income, or similar. | migracion.gob.ec |
| Colombia | Rentista (M-11) | Roughly USD 1,100-1,200/month (varies by minimum wage) | Must prove income is passive, not salary. Over 55 for some categories. | cancilleria.gov.co |
| Uruguay | Rentista (Passive Income) | Amount not fixed; must demonstrate "sufficient" means | Case-by-case assessment. Typically USD 1,500+/month. | migracion.minterior.gub.uy |
| Peru | Rentista (Passive Income) | USD 1,000/month in perpetuity OR USD 25,000 deposit | Passive or pension income. | migraciones.gob.pe |
| Argentina | Pensionado (Pensioner) | No fixed threshold; must demonstrate "sufficient" means | Case-by-case. Low bar in practice. Permanent residency possible after 2 years. | argentina.gob.ar/interior/migraciones |
| Chile | Jubilado (Retiree) | No fixed threshold; case-by-case | Must show pension income and ties to Chile. | extranjeria.gob.cl |
| Nicaragua | Pensionado (Pensioner) | USD 600/month (lowest in the hemisphere) | Over 45. No income tax on foreign-source income. | migob.gob.ni |
| Belize | Qualified Retired Persons (QRP) | USD 2,000/month pension | Over 45. Deposit USD 24,000 first year. | immig.gov.bz |
| Honduras | Pensionado (Pensioner) | USD 1,500/month | Over 55. Low requirements. | inm.gob.hn |
Panama's Pensionado is the most famous retirement visa in the Americas, and for good reason: it combines a low USD 1,000/month threshold with a package of mandated discounts on everything from utility bills to airline tickets (read the fine print: not every business applies them, but many do). Nicaragua's USD 600/month threshold is the lowest in the hemisphere, though political stability concerns weigh on the country's safety scores.
Mexico deserves a special note: there is no dedicated "retirement visa." Retirees use the Temporary Resident visa via the "solvencia economica" route, proving economic solvency through monthly income or savings. The exact threshold is set per consulate, and the variation is significant: some consulates require as little as USD 2,500/month, others as much as USD 4,000/month. If you are applying for Mexico, call the specific consulate you plan to use and ask for the current figure before you book an appointment.
Europe retirement / passive-income visas
Europe generally has a different model: many countries in the EU/EEA do not have a dedicated retirement visa because EU law already provides freedom of movement for EU/EEA/Swiss nationals. The programs below are open to non-EU/EEA/Swiss retirees.
| Country | Visa name | Monthly income threshold (single) | Key condition | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal | D7 (Passive Income Visa) | EUR 820/month (national minimum wage equivalent) | Must show passive income and accommodation. Pathway to citizenship. | vistos.mne.gov.pt |
| Portugal | D8 (Digital Nomad Visa) | EUR 3,280/month | For remote workers. Some retirees use it if running a small business. | vistos.mne.gov.pt |
| Spain | Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) | EUR 2,400/month (IPREM x 400%) | Cannot work. Must show funds for first year. Pathway to residency. | exteriores.gob.es |
| Spain | Golden Visa (ending April 2025) | EUR 500,000 real estate investment | Phasing out. No longer available for new applicants after April 2025. | exteriores.gob.es |
| Ireland | Stamp 0 | EUR 50,000/year income OR EUR 200,000 lump sum | Must not be a burden on the state. No path to citizenship. | irishimmigration.ie |
| Malta | Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) | Capital transfer: EUR 275,000 property + EUR 5,000 fee | Investment-based, not income-based. EU residency rights. | resmalta.gov.mt |
| Greece | FIP (Financially Independent Person) | EUR 2,000/month (single), EUR 2,400 (couple) | Cannot work. Renewable every 3 years. Access to public healthcare. | migration.gov.gr |
| Cyprus | Category F Permit | EUR 9,568/year (roughly EUR 800/month) + housing | Must show passive income. EU member state, path to citizenship after 7 years. | moi.gov.cy |
| Andorra | Passive Residence (Category C) | EUR 30,000 bonds + EUR 50,000 deposit | Must spend 90+ days/year in Andorra. Not EU but Schengen-adjacent. | immigracio.ad |
| Monaco | Carte de Sejour (Residence Permit) | EUR 500,000+ deposit in Monacan bank + proof of accommodation | Not for those on a lean budget. No income tax. | en.gouv.mc |
Portugal's D7 is among the most popular European retirement visas because the income threshold (EUR 820/month) is low, and the visa offers a path to citizenship after 5 years. The catch: approval times have lengthened as demand has grown, and AIMA (the immigration agency) has significant processing backlogs.
Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa is the other main avenue for non-EU retirees in Europe. The income threshold (IPREM x 400%) is indexed to the Public Income Indicator and changes annually. The 2025 threshold is roughly EUR 2,400/month for a single applicant. You must prove funds for the full first year upfront. After 5 years of continuous legal residence, you can apply for permanent residency (long-term EU residence).
Middle East & Africa
| Country | Visa name | Monthly income threshold | Key condition | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UAE (Dubai) | Retirement Visa | AED 15,000/month (roughly USD 4,000) OR AED 1M savings | Over 55. Does not lead to citizenship. | u.ae |
| UAE (Abu Dhabi) | Retirement Residency | AED 10,000/month OR AED 1M savings | Over 55. Separate from Dubai program. | tamm.abudhabi |
| Mauritius | Retirement Permit | USD 1,500/month pension | Over 50. Renewable 10-year permit. | pass.govmu.org |
| Seychelles | Retired Persons Permit | No fixed threshold; minimum USD 2,000/month recommended | No taxes on foreign income. Over 55. | ics.gov.sc |
Mauritius stands out for its 10-year renewable retirement permit with no tax on foreign pension income and a territorial tax system. The Seychelles offers a similar deal with an island lifestyle and zero income tax entirely: the country has no personal income tax at all.
What to watch for
Income thresholds change. An official index (minimum wage, IPREM, unified basic salary) is updated annually in many countries. If you are planning years ahead, build a buffer into your budget, not just the exact threshold.
The documented source matters. Immigration departments want bank statements, pension fund letters, or certified accountant declarations. A screenshot of your brokerage app will not satisfy a visa officer. Figure out what counts as proof before you apply.
Currency risk is real. A Mexican consulate sets its threshold in Mexican pesos, which a US retiree converts. If the peso strengthens against the dollar for reasons unrelated to you, your dollar income buys fewer pesos and may drop below the threshold by the time of renewal. Countries that denominate thresholds in your home currency (Ecuador, Panama, Cambodia, Nicaragua) remove this risk.
Age requirements vary. Some programs start at 35 (Malaysia MM2H), 45 (Nicaragua, Belize), 50 (Thailand), 55 (most Latin American programs, Indonesia, Cambodia), or have no age minimum at all (Panama Pensionado, Spain NLV, Portugal D7). If you are retiring early, target the programs with a lower or no age floor.
Further reading
- Retirement visa income thresholds compared across 55 countries for a side-by-side income comparison.
- From arrival to citizenship: residency timelines by country if your goal is permanent residency or a second passport.
- Countries with no retirement visa: your alternatives if your target country is not on this list.
- All destinations pages show visa requirements and income thresholds for that country.