How the Golden Visa Lets You Live Your Golden Years in the Best Places to Retire in the World
You’ve spent your life building your wealth and success. Now, it’s time to enjoy the golden years and retire to one of the best places to retire in the world—where you can truly relax, where your capital stretches further, where healthcare is exceptional, and the cost of living gives you real breathing room.
There’re only a few countries that truly let you enjoy all this in a single location, and they’re all located in Europe. Luckily, these European nations let you achieve this golden dream through a Golden Visa.
With one smart investment, you secure legal residency in EU countries, setting you on the path toward citizenship. More than a lifestyle upgrade, it’s a way to build a legacy for your family, giving them global freedom and security.
With an EU passport in hand, you’re able to retire to any of the 29 Schengen countries, like France, Germany, Italy and Spain. As an EU citizen, you also have a facilitated path toward retirement in other countries, like the USA and the UK.
Other Ways a Golden Visa Can Boost Your Retirement
- Legal status in sunny, safe countries with excellent healthcare systems and low cost of living
- Visa-free travel in the EU Schengen Zone, letting you visit multiple other countries
- Potential tax optimization regimes, letting you protect more of your multiple sources of income
- Path to Citizenship and passport, something you can pass down to your family
- Attractive investment options: Real Estate and Funds, making your capital stretch further
The Best Places in the World to Retire and How the Golden Visa Unlocks Them
There are two countries which best let you enjoy your golden years, and they both have Golden Visa programs. One of them lets you do achieve it with the cheapest real estate investment option, netting you all the benefits plus a new property—while the other through government-regulated funds, coupled with the fact that it has one of Western Europe’s lowest cost of living. Here they are.
Greece: Mediterranean Relaxation & Peace of Mind
Greece, the country that defines the Mediterranean lifestyle, is consistently ranked as one of the best places to retire in the world, thanks to its relaxed pace of life, sun-soaked coastlines, and affordable Golden Visa investment. It’s regularly ranked among the top retirement destinations in the world, especially for those who value sunshine, simplicity, and affordable healthcare.
Starting at just €250,000, you can acquire a property in a booming real estate market, retire in Greece, plus the following:
- Higher Standards of Living – reflected in its safety and healthcare systems
- Mediterranean Lifestyle - full of sun, beaches and a healthy cuisine and lifestyle
- Access to Exclusive and Beneficial Tax Regimes for Golden Visa Holders & Retirees
- Access to Rental Market – should you want passive income from your property
- One of the Best English-Speaking Countries to Retire - lthough not an official English-speaking nation, the widespread use of English facilitates communication and eases the transition.
Portugal: A Retirees’ Healthcare Haven at Low to No Costs
Portugal offers a cost of living approximately 20% lower than the European average, which is reflected the country’s European universal healthcare system, where costs range from low to almost nothing, making it one of the most financially accessible Western European countries for retirees to enjoy their golden years.
You can retire in Portugal via its Golden Visa, which requires a minimum investment of €500,000 in government-approved investment funds and provides:
- Higher Standards of Living – reflected in the affordable healthcare systems
- One of Western Europe’s lowest cost of living – 20% more affordable than the rest of Europe
- The 7th Safest Country in the World, according to the 2023 & 2024 Global Peace Index
- One of best English-speaking countries to retire (even if Portugal doesn’t have English as an official language)
- Stunning coastlines, a relaxed lifestyle, excellent sunny weather and air quality
With its combination of safety, affordability, and excellent public services, Portugal is easily one of the best countries to retire in the world for international investors.
Have a Golden Retirement and Visa, with Investment Visa
Golden Visas, and other Residency & Citizenship programs aren’t just means for retirement. They’re a tool for prospective retirees to make the most of their golden years, with more freedom, stability and returns on their wealth. They allow you to retire in some of the best places to retire in the world, while maintaining access to investment opportunities, healthcare, and peace of mind.
Whether you're seeking to better tax optimization, avoiding political instability, or simply chasing a sunnier climate, the Golden Visa lets you legally retire in the best places in the world granting you healthcare access, investment flexibility, and amazing lifestyle perks.
Investment Visa specializes in Golden Visas, Residency and Citizenship by Investment solutions for retirees. We know the terrain, we navigate the bureaucracy, and we match your capital with countries that offer the best opportunities and returns.