Thinking about retirement and want to live somewhere sunny, and affordable, with great healthcare and a vibrant social scene? Then you might want to consider moving to Europe.
With low housing costs, high-quality healthcare, and a variety of climates from the beaches of the Mediterranean to the ski slopes of Switzerland and Austria, many places in Europe could be ideal destinations for anyone looking for a more affordable alternative to their current cost of living. However, this is not an exhaustive list; it’s just a few of our favorites.
For more ideas on where you can retire abroad, check out our blog post:
1) Spain
Spain is one of the most popular places in Europe for retirees to head to. Reasons for this include its low cost of living, the fact that many people are multilingual (English is widely spoken), and the fact that it’s a very welcoming culture. The healthcare system here isn’t as good as it used to be, but it’s still good enough for retirees- and also very low cost. And, of course, there is an excellent climate with lots of different places to choose from.
Good places to look for the property include the coastal areas of the Costa del Sol and Costa Brava, the Costa del Sol, the Costa Dorada, and the Balearic Islands. There are a variety of options for internet and mobile service providers in Spain, and most people choose to get their service from one of the big providers like Orange, Vodafone, or Movistar. One good thing about Spanish telecom is that data is inexpensive, so it’s easy to get by with one or two inexpensive mobile devices and a low-cost internet plan.
2) Greece
While the Greek financial crisis has slowed tourism and development, retiring in Greece is still an attractive option. The healthcare system is very good, and the country is beautiful. The cost of living is very reasonable, and the weather is fantastic. If you’re looking for a place that you can travel to easily and frequently, Greece is a great choice. It’s also a very friendly place to live if you’re a single person or a couple.
The best areas for retirees to live in Greece are probably Athens, the island of Crete, Rhodes, and Corfu. The Greek telecoms market is in the process of being opened up to more competition, and there are a few new mobile providers that have started up in recent years, but few people have switched over to them. There is also very little fiber internet available in Greece.
3) France
France is a great choice for retirees who want to learn a new language, experience a rich cultural life, and enjoy a temperate climate. Health care and other living expenses are also cheaper than in most of the rest of Europe. France is a multilingual place, and many people speak English. You will, however, want to make sure that you learn some French because it is considered very impolite to speak English when in France.
The best areas to look for property in France are in the south, where the climate is mild. France is a very wired country, and there is lots of competition among internet providers. There are three main wired providers, Orange, SFR, and Free. There are also dozens of mobile providers, most of which have good coverage throughout the country.
4) Portugal
Portugal is another very attractive option for retirees, particularly those who like to spend time by the beach. The weather is warm almost year-round, the cost of living is very low, and there is an excellent healthcare system. Though Portugal does not have a big tourism industry, there is still a large ex-pat community in the southern region of the country, particularly near the coastal city of Lagos.
The best areas for retirees to live in Portugal are probably the cities of Lisbon and Porto, as well as the coastal city of Lagos. Portugal also has a wired telecom market, and many of the major providers are also sold as a bundle with television and internet service. Several wired providers compete in Portugal, including NOS, MEO, and Vodafone.
5) Italy
Italy is another very attractive option for retirees. The country has a mild climate, a rich cultural life, and a very low cost of living. Italy also has an excellent healthcare system, and many medical professionals are highly trained and experienced.
The best areas for retirees to live in Italy are in the north, particularly in the cities of Milan, Bologna, and Venice. Italy also has a wired telecom market, although it is not quite as competitive as it is in other European countries. There are three major wired providers in Italy, TIM, Vodafone, and Wind.
6) Switzerland
Switzerland is a great place to move to if you want to be able to both work and retire at the same time. The country has a welcoming environment for ex-pats and retirees and a strong economy. The cost of living is also very low, and the healthcare is also excellent. The best areas to look for property in Switzerland are in the cities of Zurich, Geneva, or Basel. Switzerland also has a wired telecom market, and many people choose between one of the big providers, Swisscom or Sunrise.
7) Austria
Austria is another excellent choice for retirees, particularly those who like to spend time outdoors and are interested in skiing. The cost of living is very low, and the healthcare system is excellent. There is also a large ex-pat community in Austria, particularly in the cities of Vienna and Salzburg. The best areas for retirees to live in Austria are the cities of Vienna and Salzburg.