France is a country well known for offering a high-quality of life. From great wine to great food and shopping, France offers a little of everything. It is a country that boasts the most beautiful and romantic city on earth while also offering some of the best country life and dramatic coasts in both the Mediterranean and Atlantic.  

France is one of our top countries for retirement and has a large and vibrant expat community. And even though France isn’t on our list of cheapest countries to live in, it can definitely be very affordable and well worth the investment. France offers the best of everything, healthcare, schools, infrastructure and some places are even known for being crime-free.  

The French are friendly and welcoming and the good-life in France can be very affordable.  

In this Mediterranean country you’ll find great weather and mostly sunny skies year-round. Additionally, the cost of living is significantly less than in many of its European counterparts. 

As locals have modestly let us know, Greece is the best place to be and to invest in right now. Here, you’ll find some of the friendliest people, with a culture based on the highest respect for their families, and especially, their elders. 

The big plus here is that Greece hosts the most affordable Golden Visa in Europe. The Greece Golden Visa is the most advantageous one in Europe; you don’t even have to visit the country after making your purchase. You’re only needed in-country when renewing it. 

You might not be able to become employed in Greece with this visa, but if you’re interested, you can start your own business––restaurants, small shops, etc. 

Throughout history, Ireland, often nicknamed the Emerald Isle or the Land of Saints and Scholars, has been romanticized in the world of literature. Hundreds of songs, books, and poems by creatives worldwide proclaim this country’s natural beauty. It’s not hard to understand why… Ireland is an oasis of dramatically beautiful nature with a thriving cultural heritage.

Ireland is located in Northwestern Europe, with the Atlantic Ocean to its west and the Irish Sea to its east, separating it from Great Britain. Ireland was under British rule for over 800 years before gaining independence in 1922. Today, Northern Ireland remains a part of Great Britain, while the Republic of Ireland is its own free state.

If you’re looking at Ireland as a potential retirement haven, it offers a lifestyle that encompasses the best of country living, surrounded by picturesque green fields, stone walls, grazing cows, and country cottages. If you’d prefer to live a busier, city life, Ireland has an array of flourishing towns and cities where you can discover modern Irish culture fused with the country’s fascinating heritage.

Italy’s villages and cities have always been considered an ideal retirement haven, be it because of its beautiful coasts and beaches, picturesque countryside, its traditional gastronomy, and warm people.  

One of our top cities in this popular haven is Abruzzo. Abruzzo is quintessential Italy—everything that sold Tuscany to the global masses and more. With its diverse landscape that boasts majestic mountain ranges, rolling hills, miles of award-winning beaches, dense forests, and medieval towns, Abruzzo has all the ingredients to become a retirement powerhouse.   

Nestled within the verdant hills of Abruzzo, Città Sant’Angelo, a little hamlet of about 15,000 is one of the culturally richest towns the region has to offer. Offering small-town living, tranquility, a closeknit community, but continued access to modern conveniences, Città Sant’Angelo is the best of all worlds. 

A string of small islands in the southern Mediterranean makes up Malta. One of the tiniest countries in Europe, it also has the tiniest capital: Valletta, which covers less than a square kilometer… but what Superbissima (Latin for “Most Proud”) lacks in size, it makes up for in lifestyle… 

The country is home to some of the oldest human artefacts in the world, some of which predate the Egyptian pyramids and Stonehenge. It’s been occupied by various groups throughout its existence, from the Phoenicians to the Byzantines, the Ottomans to the Knights of Templar… All have left their mark on the place. 

Malta ticks so many boxes—with its superb health care, low crime rate, fantastic climate, and friendly locals—it is a country with broad appeal… quintessential Mediterranean Europe. And, notably, it’s the only place you can experience the famed Mediterranean way of life among locals who speak English. 

This country is for people who dream of sipping an espresso outside a quaint café overlooking a cobblestoned courtyard in the early morning… taking countryside walks as the evening sun warms banks of olive groves… or eating freshly caught seafood with hunks of bread and washed down with local wine… 

Montenegro, a tiny country in the Balkans, is unknown by many. In recent years Montenegro has become an up-and-coming expat destination. Those who have discovered this Eastern European destination enjoy its mild climate, beautiful scenery, low cost of living, and relaxed lifestyle. Montenegro is particularly popular amongst adventure seekers. Its rugged geography provides optimum conditions for snow sports during winter and stunning hiking trails in the summer. The entire country is covered by mountains, hence its name Black Mountain (monte=mountain negro=black). 

Montenegro shares its borders with Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Kosovo, and Croatia while enjoying 295km of coastline along the Adriatic Sea. This unique location between Europe and Russia leads to a fascinating blend of cultures. Montenegro’s European influence can be seen in its Gothic, Venetian, and Romanesque architecture, while its traditional cuisine is a reminder of its past under the Ottoman Empire. 

Montenegro is a young country, only gaining complete independence from Serbia in 2006. Despite this, it has a strong economy, stable democracy, and is currently awaiting acceptance into the European Union. Now is the time to invest in Montenegro— real estate is cheap, taxes are low, and residency is easy. 

Portugal has been Live and Invest Overseas #1 Retirement Haven for many years now. Located on the Iberian Peninsula in the southwestern part of Europe, Portugal borders Spain and the North Atlantic Ocean. This European country is renowned for its safety, excellent climate, lower cost of living, quality health care, and a local community who widely speak English. 

Lisbon has lifestyle choices for all tastes and budgets and, even though it is more expensive than the areas surrounding it, it has the advantage of having an already well-established and large community of expats. 

Algarve boasts Europe’s best beaches, Europe’s best golf courses, some of Europe’s friendliest folk, and Western Europe’s lowest cost of living. It’s also Europe’s newest tax haven. 

There is definitely something for every lifestyle in this sunny destination… 

Spain offers something that is unique and unmatched. With a diversity of climates, ranging from a four-season climate to a sub-tropical climate, Spain has a little bit of everything. The country is loaded with historical riches and sites to visit such as the Atapuerca Caves, where 800,000-year-old human fossils have been found.  

Modern life in Spain is laid-back and easygoing. One can live very well for an affordable price and there is no shortage of activities in the country. There’s a little bit of everything for sports, including loads of golf courses and great skiing in the mountainous regions.  

Spaniards have the longest life expectancy in Europe and the second-longest in the world, second only to Japan. Spain offers an excellent quality of life for an affordable price.