Workshop: The World’s Best Places to Retire in 2026

[Ilv Comp]

Hi Stacie, I am the Portugal Correspondent not the France one, but I sent your question to my cousin who lives in France on the visiteur visa. No decision has been made yet on the cost that will be charged to expats.

I found this as well, which may be helpful: https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexledsom/2025/11/20/france-healthcare-government-plans-new-fees-for-american-expats/

~ Kimberly Anne

[John Woodyard]

These discussions completely ignore the extremely high taxes in Europe. For a “typical” US retired couple, you can easily aporoach 50% effective tax rates in Portugal/Spain/France/Italy.

[Country Expert jessica ramesch]

Hi John,

As IL’s Global Diversification Expert Ted Baumann says:

“…you should understand the tax implications of going abroad before you make your move.

But whatever you do, don’t stop at tax rates. You also need to consider the benefits you get from living in a country with higher tax rates.

For example, in Portugal, food—which is of much higher quality than in the US—costs from 25% to 70% less than in the US. Basic utilities are 30% less expensive, mobile phone plans are 60% less, and Internet is 33% less. Apartment rentals in desirable coastal towns are about a third less than comparable places in the States. And of course, you’re eligible for the Portuguese public health care system, which is excellent and costs a tiny fraction of what you’d pay in the US.

Whenever I have spoken to expats about their overseas cost of living, they almost always report that they’re saving money living abroad… Even in countries with higher tax rates. That’s because those higher rates help keep a lid on other costs, which more than balances out the higher taxes.”

You can read more from Ted in his regular columns for International Living Magazine https://members.internationalliving.com/magazine-issues/

And here’s the 2024 article I quoted from:
https://internationalliving.com/the-reality-of-paying-taxes-overseas/

Best,

Jess Ramesch
Senior Editor
International Living

[Country Expert jessica ramesch]

Thank you David, all fixed, really appreciated seeing your your patient, kind, helpful message.
Best of luck with your Portugal plans, you’ll do great!

[Marilyn Saks-mcmillion]

I’m halfway through the recording, and wonder what comments you have re: (changing?) politics, especially re: US Americans. Also, how is the local economy doing, and any forecasts of changes, especially re: US tariffs and resulting fallout among residents? Finally, what kind of interregional public transport is there and how extensive is it? We’re in our late 70s, and prefer not to have a car and drive.

[Jen Stevens]

Stacie, I’ll have Tuula Rampont, our IL France Correspondent, reply to you here.

[Jen Stevens]

Marilyn — do you have a specific country you’re interested in–or just would like info about these questions in each of the countries covered?

[Tuula Rampont]

Hello Stacie,
That’s correct. The measure has passed but they haven’t set the payment amount yet. It’s an effort to help France try to balance their budget.
Here’s a quote from the lawmaker who proposed the change on the pricing:
Francois Gernigon- “the value could vary depending on the level of health care coverage, but it would still be cheaper than private insurance in the U.S. or abroad which, costs around €300 to €500 per month.”

Tuula Rampont, IL France Correspondant

[Bekah Battone]

There are a lot of retirees in the Central Valley especially in the Grecia, Atenas, Escazu area. Although you need to be a resident to receive healthcare, yet private care is much more affordable in Costa Rica compared to the USA.
There are lots of meet ups for expats to get to know each other. If you decide to come to Costa Rica, reach out to me for more information.
– Bekah Bottone, IL Costa Rica Correspondent

[Bekah Battone]

Costa Rica has great public transportation in the Central Valley, it is easy to get around by bus. On the coast, the schedules are more irregular so it is not as convenient.

Right now the colon is very low, it is about 495 colones for a $1 so that is quite painful. Imported items are very expensive and restaurants especially in tourist places are also expensive. Costa Rica is the most expensive country in Latin America, yet I still love Costa Rica and don’t plan on moving any time soon.

Please feel free to reach out with any specific questions as you continue with your research.

-Bekah, IL Costa Rica Correspondent

[Molly Horner]

Hi Marilyn,
I have found the Greeks to be extremely welcoming to Americans and have not seen any negative fallout due to politics. Transportation is very good in Athens and Thessaloniki, both have metros, trams and buses. Other areas in Greece are more reliant on buses, ferries and cars. So if you prefer not to have a car and are interested in Greece then I would focus in the cities mentioned above. You could also live in reasonably large cities like Heraklion, Ioaninia, Kavala, Volos, and Patras which have good bus transportation and all the important services (hospitals, shopping, etc.). Greece does have limited rail service and it is mainly from Athens to Thessaloniki with some smaller lines in the Peloponnese and in northeasthern Greece.

[Molly Horner]

> said:
> Hi Marilyn,
> I have found the Greeks to be extremely welcoming to Americans and have not seen any negative fallout due to politics. Transportation is very good in Athens and Thessaloniki, both have metros, trams and buses. Other areas in Greece are more reliant on buses, ferries and cars. So if you prefer not to have a car and are interested in Greece then I would focus in the cities mentioned above. You could also live in reasonably large cities like Heraklion, Ioaninia, Kavala, Volos, and Patras which have good bus transportation and all the important services (hospitals, shopping, etc.). Greece does have limited rail service and it is mainly from Athens to Thessaloniki with some smaller lines in the Peloponnese and in northeasthern Greece.
~Leena Horner, Greece Correspondent

[Molly Horner]

Hi Laura,
You may find many areas that suit your needs in Greece. I think Heraklion in Crete would be a good choice, that might suit all your needs. Other areas to consider would be Corinth, Kalamata, Nafplio, which are all in the Peloponnese and not far from Athens if you want all the amenities of a big city nearby. All of these communities are safe and have active expat communities.
~Leena Horner, IL Greece Correspondent

[Molly Horner]

Hi John,
I would love to give you a little peek at the taxes for pensioners in Greece. Greece has a program with a flat 7% tax rate for retirees and so it might be worth considering if you would like to live in Europe.
Let me know if you have any questions,
Leena Horner, IL Greece Correspondent

[Ilv Comp]

Hi Marilyn,
This is Kimberly, the Portugal Correspondent. There is a small amount of pushback here toward immigrants (not Americans as much as Indian and specifically Bangladeshi 🙁 because of a new right-wing government. If I hadn’t been here for a few years I would never notice it. Face-to-face, one-on-one, the Portuguese are lovely and kind and welcoming.

The only tarrif “fallout” here that I’ve seen so far, is that we can no longer mail packages to the US through the Portuguese postal service, only through DHL which is pricey ($100) but we can mail letters without issue.

Transportation: If you live in a major city (Lisbon, Porto, Braga… or on a metro or ferry line; ie: Almada (across the river from Lisbon) Vila do Conde (the last metro stop north of Porto), Vila Nova de Gaia (across the Douro River from Porto), etc. –transportation is fantastic.

As mentioned in the talk, the healthcare is what really seals it.

~Kimberly Anne, IL Portugal Correspondent

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