Destination Guides
Best Places in Europe to Retire: A Practical Guide for Americans
Beyond the obvious postcard cities, where do Americans actually end up — and why? We compare the five most popular retirement destinations based on what matters: cost, healthcare, English accessibility, visa ease, and lifestyle.
Every year, thousands of Americans make the move to Europe. But the "best" place depends entirely on what you prioritise. Here is our honest assessment of the top destinations, based on what we hear from clients who have actually made the move.
Portugal: The consistent favourite
Why Americans choose it: English is widely spoken, the culture is warm and welcoming to foreigners, crime is very low, the climate in the Algarve and around Lisbon is excellent, and the cost of living remains lower than comparable Western European countries despite recent rises.
Best areas: Lisbon for urban life and culture; Porto for a more affordable, authentic alternative; the Algarve for beach lifestyle and an established expat community; Silver Coast for value and authenticity.
Watch out for: Rising property prices in Lisbon; the NHR tax regime has changed (see our article on Portugal NHR 2025); bureaucracy can be slow.
Spain: The lifestyle destination
Why Americans choose it: Outstanding food culture, vibrant social life, excellent healthcare system, diverse geography (coast, mountains, cities, rural), and lower cost of living than Northern Europe.
Best areas: Valencia for an urban lifestyle at significantly lower cost than Madrid or Barcelona; Costa del Sol (Málaga area) for established expat infrastructure; Seville for authentic Spanish culture; the Canary Islands for year-round warmth.
Watch out for: Regional language differences (Catalan, Basque) can complicate life in some areas; the Non-Lucrative Visa has a higher income requirement than Portugal's D7.
Italy: The romantic choice
Why Americans choose it: Culture, food, art, history — Italy delivers on all fronts. The Flat Tax regime (€100,000/year flat tax on foreign income) makes it attractive for higher-income retirees, and the 7% flat tax scheme in southern Italian municipalities is one of Europe's best tax deals.
Best areas: Tuscany for classic beauty; Puglia and Sicily for value and warmth; Lake Como and the Veneto for northern Italian elegance.
Watch out for: Italian bureaucracy is notoriously slow; language barrier is more significant than in Portugal or Spain; healthcare quality varies significantly by region.
Greece: The value leader
Why Americans choose it: The most affordable Mediterranean lifestyle, stunning natural beauty, excellent climate, and an active Golden Visa program that provides residency flexibility.
Best areas: Athens for urban convenience and excellent transport; Crete for a full island life with good infrastructure; the Peloponnese for authentic Greece at very low cost.
Watch out for: English is less universally spoken than in Portugal; infrastructure outside major cities can be limited; the banking system has historically been complex.
France: The premium option
Why Americans choose it: Highest quality of life metrics in Europe, excellent healthcare, sophisticated culture, and proximity to the rest of Europe.
Best areas: Provence and the Languedoc for affordable southern French living; Paris for culture and cosmopolitan life; Bordeaux for a genuine city with a growing expat community.
Watch out for: Highest cost of living of the five; bureaucracy is formidable; the French do not always make it easy for foreigners to integrate; French language matters more here than elsewhere.