{ "schemaVersion": 1, "year": 2026, "editionName": "ThonRetire Retirement Index 2026", "author": "Nguyแป…n Thร nh Dรขn", "url": "https://thonretire.com/edition/2026", "released": "2026-08", "releasedIso": "2026-08-01", "frozenAt": "2026-08-05", "verified": "July 2026", "factsAsOf": "2026-07", "version": "1.3", "counts": { "countries": 17, "criteria": 39, "facets": 6 }, "method": "Best-fit is a Thon composite: base country quality + passport overlay (treaty, flight, pension rules) + life-stage overlay (age-open visas, tax-deal runway, healthcare now vs 70+). It is a decision aid, not a prediction.", "gaps": "Some immigration backlogs, bank KYC timelines and insurance quotes move faster than this page. Open gaps are marked in criteria. Always confirm against the official source before acting.", "sources": [ "Official immigration / residency pages per destination (visa names, age and income thresholds)", "Tax authority summaries and double-tax treaty texts (AU/US/UK/CA pairs where published)", "Reputable professional briefings (Big-4 / specialist expat tax notes) for regime shape โ€” not as legal advice", "Indicative cost-of-living bands cross-checked against public COL indexes (rounded USD/mo)", "Flight times as typical one-way door-to-door from the origin city hub (not a fare quote)" ], "overall": [ { "rank": 1, "country": "Panama", "slug": "panama", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฆ", "region": "Central America", "score": 87 }, { "rank": 2, "country": "Thailand", "slug": "thailand", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ", "region": "Southeast Asia", "score": 84 }, { "rank": 3, "country": "Uruguay", "slug": "uruguay", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡พ", "region": "South America", "score": 84 }, { "rank": 4, "country": "Philippines", "slug": "philippines", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ", "region": "Southeast Asia", "score": 83 }, { "rank": 5, "country": "Malaysia", "slug": "malaysia", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡พ", "region": "Southeast Asia", "score": 82 }, { "rank": 6, "country": "Greece", "slug": "greece", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ท", "region": "Mediterranean", "score": 81 }, { "rank": 7, "country": "Malta", "slug": "malta", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡น", "region": "Mediterranean", "score": 80 }, { "rank": 8, "country": "Italy", "slug": "italy", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น", "region": "Western Europe", "score": 80 }, { "rank": 9, "country": "Cyprus", "slug": "cyprus", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡พ", "region": "Mediterranean", "score": 78 }, { "rank": 10, "country": "Costa Rica", "slug": "costa-rica", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ท", "region": "Central America", "score": 77 }, { "rank": 11, "country": "Mexico", "slug": "mexico", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ", "region": "North America", "score": 76 }, { "rank": 12, "country": "Mauritius", "slug": "mauritius", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡บ", "region": "Indian Ocean", "score": 76 }, { "rank": 13, "country": "Indonesia (Bali)", "slug": "bali", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ", "region": "Southeast Asia", "score": 76 }, { "rank": 14, "country": "Spain", "slug": "spain", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ", "region": "Western Europe", "score": 75 }, { "rank": 15, "country": "Portugal", "slug": "portugal", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น", "region": "Western Europe", "score": 74 }, { "rank": 16, "country": "UAE (Dubai)", "slug": "dubai", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ช", "region": "Middle East", "score": 70 }, { "rank": 17, "country": "Vietnam", "slug": "vietnam", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ป๐Ÿ‡ณ", "region": "Southeast Asia", "score": 60 } ], "facets": [ { "id": "cheapest", "navLabel": "Cheapest", "h1": "The cheapest countries to retire abroad", "metric": "Monthly cost, couple", "measuredShift": "37.5%", "rows": [ { "rank": 1, "country": "Vietnam", "slug": "vietnam", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ป๐Ÿ‡ณ", "value": "$1,400", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Vietnam e-visa / temporary residence practice โ€” no dedicated retiree visa", "counter": "Near-unattainable", "overallRank": 17, "move": 16 }, { "rank": 2, "country": "Philippines", "slug": "philippines", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ", "value": "$1,500", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "PRA SRRV programme pages (age/deposit tiers)", "counter": "Permanent", "overallRank": 4, "move": 2 }, { "rank": 3, "country": "Mexico", "slug": "mexico", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ", "value": "$1,700", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "INM temporary resident income/savings routes", "counter": "4 yrs", "overallRank": 11, "move": 8 }, { "rank": 4, "country": "Indonesia (Bali)", "slug": "bali", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ", "value": "$1,700", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Indonesian immigration E33F retirement notes (60+)", "counter": "KITAP 3โ€“4 yrs", "overallRank": 13, "move": 9 }, { "rank": 5, "country": "Thailand", "slug": "thailand", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ", "value": "$1,800", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Thai LTR / retirement O-A published criteria", "counter": "Difficult", "overallRank": 2, "move": -3 }, { "rank": 6, "country": "Malaysia", "slug": "malaysia", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡พ", "value": "$1,900", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "MM2H official programme notes (tier rules change โ€” re-check)", "counter": "No PR route", "overallRank": 5, "move": -1 }, { "rank": 7, "country": "Costa Rica", "slug": "costa-rica", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ท", "value": "$2,000", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "DGME pensionado/rentista routes", "counter": "3 yrs", "overallRank": 10, "move": 3 }, { "rank": 8, "country": "Mauritius", "slug": "mauritius", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡บ", "value": "$2,000", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "EDB Retired Non-Citizen (50+)", "counter": "5 yrs + $200k", "overallRank": 12, "move": 4 }, { "rank": 9, "country": "Panama", "slug": "panama", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฆ", "value": "$2,100", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Panama immigration / Pensionado materials", "counter": "Immediate", "overallRank": 1, "move": -8 }, { "rank": 10, "country": "Greece", "slug": "greece", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ท", "value": "$2,200", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Residence permits for financially independent / DN-style paths", "counter": "5 yrs", "overallRank": 6, "move": -4 }, { "rank": 11, "country": "Cyprus", "slug": "cyprus", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡พ", "value": "$2,200", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Civil Registry Category F / income routes", "counter": "On grant โ€” long queue", "overallRank": 9, "move": -2 }, { "rank": 12, "country": "Uruguay", "slug": "uruguay", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡พ", "value": "$2,300", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Migraciรณn rentista/pensionado paths", "counter": "Direct โ€” <1 yr", "overallRank": 3, "move": -9 }, { "rank": 13, "country": "Italy", "slug": "italy", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น", "value": "$2,400", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Elective residence / passive-income practice", "counter": "5 yrs", "overallRank": 8, "move": -5 }, { "rank": 14, "country": "Spain", "slug": "spain", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ", "value": "$2,500", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Non-lucrative / digital nomad routes", "counter": "5 yrs", "overallRank": 14, "move": 0 }, { "rank": 15, "country": "Malta", "slug": "malta", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡น", "value": "$2,600", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Residency Malta / MRP materials (age gates)", "counter": "5 yrs", "overallRank": 7, "move": -8 }, { "rank": 16, "country": "Portugal", "slug": "portugal", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น", "value": "$2,600", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "AIMA / D7-style residence guidance", "counter": "5 yrs", "overallRank": 15, "move": -1 }, { "rank": 17, "country": "UAE (Dubai)", "slug": "dubai", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ช", "value": "$3,500", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "UAE retirement / remote / Golden visa portals", "counter": "Golden Visa", "overallRank": 16, "move": -1 } ] }, { "id": "healthcare", "navLabel": "Best healthcare", "h1": "Best healthcare for retirees abroad", "metric": "Healthcare rating", "measuredShift": "50.7%", "rows": [ { "rank": 1, "country": "Spain", "slug": "spain", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ", "value": "9/10", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Non-lucrative / digital nomad routes", "counter": "$2,500/mo", "overallRank": 14, "move": 13 }, { "rank": 2, "country": "Portugal", "slug": "portugal", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น", "value": "9/10", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "AIMA / D7-style residence guidance", "counter": "$2,600/mo", "overallRank": 15, "move": 13 }, { "rank": 3, "country": "Malta", "slug": "malta", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡น", "value": "8.8/10", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Residency Malta / MRP materials (age gates)", "counter": "$2,600/mo", "overallRank": 7, "move": 4 }, { "rank": 4, "country": "Malaysia", "slug": "malaysia", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡พ", "value": "8.7/10", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "MM2H official programme notes (tier rules change โ€” re-check)", "counter": "$1,900/mo", "overallRank": 5, "move": 1 }, { "rank": 5, "country": "Italy", "slug": "italy", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น", "value": "8.6/10", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Elective residence / passive-income practice", "counter": "$2,400/mo", "overallRank": 8, "move": 3 }, { "rank": 6, "country": "UAE (Dubai)", "slug": "dubai", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ช", "value": "8.5/10", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "UAE retirement / remote / Golden visa portals", "counter": "$3,500/mo", "overallRank": 16, "move": 10 }, { "rank": 7, "country": "Thailand", "slug": "thailand", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ", "value": "8.2/10", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Thai LTR / retirement O-A published criteria", "counter": "$1,800/mo", "overallRank": 2, "move": -5 }, { "rank": 8, "country": "Uruguay", "slug": "uruguay", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡พ", "value": "8/10", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Migraciรณn rentista/pensionado paths", "counter": "$2,300/mo", "overallRank": 3, "move": -5 }, { "rank": 9, "country": "Cyprus", "slug": "cyprus", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡พ", "value": "8/10", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Civil Registry Category F / income routes", "counter": "$2,200/mo", "overallRank": 9, "move": 0 }, { "rank": 10, "country": "Greece", "slug": "greece", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ท", "value": "7.9/10", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Residence permits for financially independent / DN-style paths", "counter": "$2,200/mo", "overallRank": 6, "move": -4 }, { "rank": 11, "country": "Panama", "slug": "panama", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฆ", "value": "7.8/10", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Panama immigration / Pensionado materials", "counter": "$2,100/mo", "overallRank": 1, "move": -10 }, { "rank": 12, "country": "Costa Rica", "slug": "costa-rica", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ท", "value": "7.8/10", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "DGME pensionado/rentista routes", "counter": "$2,000/mo", "overallRank": 10, "move": -2 }, { "rank": 13, "country": "Mexico", "slug": "mexico", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ", "value": "7.5/10", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "INM temporary resident income/savings routes", "counter": "$1,700/mo", "overallRank": 11, "move": -2 }, { "rank": 14, "country": "Mauritius", "slug": "mauritius", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡บ", "value": "7/10", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "EDB Retired Non-Citizen (50+)", "counter": "$2,000/mo", "overallRank": 12, "move": -2 }, { "rank": 15, "country": "Philippines", "slug": "philippines", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ", "value": "6.8/10", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "PRA SRRV programme pages (age/deposit tiers)", "counter": "$1,500/mo", "overallRank": 4, "move": -11 }, { "rank": 16, "country": "Indonesia (Bali)", "slug": "bali", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ", "value": "6.5/10", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Indonesian immigration E33F retirement notes (60+)", "counter": "$1,700/mo", "overallRank": 13, "move": -3 }, { "rank": 17, "country": "Vietnam", "slug": "vietnam", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ป๐Ÿ‡ณ", "value": "6.3/10", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Vietnam e-visa / temporary residence practice โ€” no dedicated retiree visa", "counter": "$1,400/mo", "overallRank": 17, "move": 0 } ] }, { "id": "safest", "navLabel": "Safest", "h1": "The safest countries to retire abroad", "metric": "Safety rating", "measuredShift": "61.8%", "rows": [ { "rank": 1, "country": "UAE (Dubai)", "slug": "dubai", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ช", "value": "8.8/10", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "UAE retirement / remote / Golden visa portals", "counter": "$3,500/mo", "overallRank": 16, "move": 15 }, { "rank": 2, "country": "Portugal", "slug": "portugal", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น", "value": "8.5/10", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "AIMA / D7-style residence guidance", "counter": "$2,600/mo", "overallRank": 15, "move": 13 }, { "rank": 3, "country": "Malta", "slug": "malta", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡น", "value": "8.4/10", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Residency Malta / MRP materials (age gates)", "counter": "$2,600/mo", "overallRank": 7, "move": 4 }, { "rank": 4, "country": "Cyprus", "slug": "cyprus", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡พ", "value": "8.3/10", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Civil Registry Category F / income routes", "counter": "$2,200/mo", "overallRank": 9, "move": 5 }, { "rank": 5, "country": "Spain", "slug": "spain", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ", "value": "8.2/10", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Non-lucrative / digital nomad routes", "counter": "$2,500/mo", "overallRank": 14, "move": 9 }, { "rank": 6, "country": "Italy", "slug": "italy", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น", "value": "7.9/10", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Elective residence / passive-income practice", "counter": "$2,400/mo", "overallRank": 8, "move": 2 }, { "rank": 7, "country": "Greece", "slug": "greece", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ท", "value": "7.8/10", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Residence permits for financially independent / DN-style paths", "counter": "$2,200/mo", "overallRank": 6, "move": -1 }, { "rank": 8, "country": "Uruguay", "slug": "uruguay", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡พ", "value": "7.6/10", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Migraciรณn rentista/pensionado paths", "counter": "$2,300/mo", "overallRank": 3, "move": -5 }, { "rank": 9, "country": "Malaysia", "slug": "malaysia", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡พ", "value": "7.5/10", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "MM2H official programme notes (tier rules change โ€” re-check)", "counter": "$1,900/mo", "overallRank": 5, "move": -4 }, { "rank": 10, "country": "Vietnam", "slug": "vietnam", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ป๐Ÿ‡ณ", "value": "7.5/10", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Vietnam e-visa / temporary residence practice โ€” no dedicated retiree visa", "counter": "$1,400/mo", "overallRank": 17, "move": 7 }, { "rank": 11, "country": "Mauritius", "slug": "mauritius", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡บ", "value": "7.4/10", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "EDB Retired Non-Citizen (50+)", "counter": "$2,000/mo", "overallRank": 12, "move": 1 }, { "rank": 12, "country": "Panama", "slug": "panama", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฆ", "value": "7/10", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Panama immigration / Pensionado materials", "counter": "$2,100/mo", "overallRank": 1, "move": -11 }, { "rank": 13, "country": "Thailand", "slug": "thailand", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ", "value": "6.8/10", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Thai LTR / retirement O-A published criteria", "counter": "$1,800/mo", "overallRank": 2, "move": -11 }, { "rank": 14, "country": "Costa Rica", "slug": "costa-rica", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ท", "value": "6.8/10", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "DGME pensionado/rentista routes", "counter": "$2,000/mo", "overallRank": 10, "move": -4 }, { "rank": 15, "country": "Indonesia (Bali)", "slug": "bali", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ", "value": "6.5/10", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Indonesian immigration E33F retirement notes (60+)", "counter": "$1,700/mo", "overallRank": 13, "move": -2 }, { "rank": 16, "country": "Philippines", "slug": "philippines", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ", "value": "6/10", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "PRA SRRV programme pages (age/deposit tiers)", "counter": "$1,500/mo", "overallRank": 4, "move": -12 }, { "rank": 17, "country": "Mexico", "slug": "mexico", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ", "value": "6/10", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "INM temporary resident income/savings routes", "counter": "$1,700/mo", "overallRank": 11, "move": -6 } ] }, { "id": "closest", "navLabel": "Closest to home", "h1": "Retire abroad without being far away", "metric": "Flight home", "measuredShift": "31.6%", "rows": [ { "rank": 1, "country": "Indonesia (Bali)", "slug": "bali", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ", "value": "6h", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Indonesian immigration E33F retirement notes (60+)", "counter": "$1,700/mo", "overallRank": 13, "move": 12 }, { "rank": 2, "country": "Philippines", "slug": "philippines", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ", "value": "8h", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "PRA SRRV programme pages (age/deposit tiers)", "counter": "$1,500/mo", "overallRank": 4, "move": 2 }, { "rank": 3, "country": "Malaysia", "slug": "malaysia", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡พ", "value": "8h", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "MM2H official programme notes (tier rules change โ€” re-check)", "counter": "$1,900/mo", "overallRank": 5, "move": 2 }, { "rank": 4, "country": "Vietnam", "slug": "vietnam", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ป๐Ÿ‡ณ", "value": "8h", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Vietnam e-visa / temporary residence practice โ€” no dedicated retiree visa", "counter": "$1,400/mo", "overallRank": 17, "move": 13 }, { "rank": 5, "country": "Thailand", "slug": "thailand", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ", "value": "9h", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Thai LTR / retirement O-A published criteria", "counter": "$1,800/mo", "overallRank": 2, "move": -3 }, { "rank": 6, "country": "Mauritius", "slug": "mauritius", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡บ", "value": "12h", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "EDB Retired Non-Citizen (50+)", "counter": "$2,000/mo", "overallRank": 12, "move": 6 }, { "rank": 7, "country": "UAE (Dubai)", "slug": "dubai", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ช", "value": "14h", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "UAE retirement / remote / Golden visa portals", "counter": "$3,500/mo", "overallRank": 16, "move": 9 }, { "rank": 8, "country": "Mexico", "slug": "mexico", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ", "value": "18h", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "INM temporary resident income/savings routes", "counter": "$1,700/mo", "overallRank": 11, "move": 3 }, { "rank": 9, "country": "Cyprus", "slug": "cyprus", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡พ", "value": "22h", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Civil Registry Category F / income routes", "counter": "$2,200/mo", "overallRank": 9, "move": 0 }, { "rank": 10, "country": "Malta", "slug": "malta", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡น", "value": "24h", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Residency Malta / MRP materials (age gates)", "counter": "$2,600/mo", "overallRank": 7, "move": -3 }, { "rank": 11, "country": "Italy", "slug": "italy", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น", "value": "24h", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Elective residence / passive-income practice", "counter": "$2,400/mo", "overallRank": 8, "move": -3 }, { "rank": 12, "country": "Spain", "slug": "spain", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ", "value": "24h", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Non-lucrative / digital nomad routes", "counter": "$2,500/mo", "overallRank": 14, "move": 2 }, { "rank": 13, "country": "Portugal", "slug": "portugal", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น", "value": "24h", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "AIMA / D7-style residence guidance", "counter": "$2,600/mo", "overallRank": 15, "move": 2 }, { "rank": 14, "country": "Greece", "slug": "greece", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ท", "value": "25h", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Residence permits for financially independent / DN-style paths", "counter": "$2,200/mo", "overallRank": 6, "move": -8 }, { "rank": 15, "country": "Panama", "slug": "panama", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฆ", "value": "30h", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Panama immigration / Pensionado materials", "counter": "$2,100/mo", "overallRank": 1, "move": -14 }, { "rank": 16, "country": "Costa Rica", "slug": "costa-rica", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ท", "value": "34h", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "DGME pensionado/rentista routes", "counter": "$2,000/mo", "overallRank": 10, "move": -6 }, { "rank": 17, "country": "Uruguay", "slug": "uruguay", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡พ", "value": "38h", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Migraciรณn rentista/pensionado paths", "counter": "$2,300/mo", "overallRank": 3, "move": -14 } ] }, { "id": "low-tax", "navLabel": "Lowest tax", "h1": "Lowest-tax countries to retire abroad", "metric": "Headline rate on your pension", "measuredShift": "52.9%", "rows": [ { "rank": 1, "country": "Panama", "slug": "panama", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฆ", "value": "0%", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Panama immigration / Pensionado materials", "counter": "no clock", "overallRank": 1, "move": 0 }, { "rank": 2, "country": "Philippines", "slug": "philippines", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ", "value": "0%", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "PRA SRRV programme pages (age/deposit tiers)", "counter": "no clock", "overallRank": 4, "move": 2 }, { "rank": 3, "country": "Costa Rica", "slug": "costa-rica", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ท", "value": "0%", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "DGME pensionado/rentista routes", "counter": "no clock", "overallRank": 10, "move": 7 }, { "rank": 4, "country": "UAE (Dubai)", "slug": "dubai", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ช", "value": "0%", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "UAE retirement / remote / Golden visa portals", "counter": "no clock", "overallRank": 16, "move": 12 }, { "rank": 5, "country": "Vietnam", "slug": "vietnam", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ป๐Ÿ‡ณ", "value": "0%", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Vietnam e-visa / temporary residence practice โ€” no dedicated retiree visa", "counter": "no clock", "overallRank": 17, "move": 12 }, { "rank": 6, "country": "Thailand", "slug": "thailand", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ", "value": "0%", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Thai LTR / retirement O-A published criteria", "counter": "12 yrs left", "overallRank": 2, "move": -4 }, { "rank": 7, "country": "Uruguay", "slug": "uruguay", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡พ", "value": "0%", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Migraciรณn rentista/pensionado paths", "counter": "11 yrs left", "overallRank": 3, "move": -4 }, { "rank": 8, "country": "Malaysia", "slug": "malaysia", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡พ", "value": "0%", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "MM2H official programme notes (tier rules change โ€” re-check)", "counter": "10 yrs left", "overallRank": 5, "move": -3 }, { "rank": 9, "country": "Cyprus", "slug": "cyprus", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡พ", "value": "0โ€“5%", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Civil Registry Category F / income routes", "counter": "17 yrs left", "overallRank": 9, "move": 0 }, { "rank": 10, "country": "Greece", "slug": "greece", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ท", "value": "7%", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Residence permits for financially independent / DN-style paths", "counter": "15 yrs left", "overallRank": 6, "move": -4 }, { "rank": 11, "country": "Italy", "slug": "italy", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น", "value": "7%", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Elective residence / passive-income practice", "counter": "10 yrs left", "overallRank": 8, "move": -3 }, { "rank": 12, "country": "Mauritius", "slug": "mauritius", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡บ", "value": "0โ€“20%", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "EDB Retired Non-Citizen (50+)", "counter": "no clock", "overallRank": 12, "move": 0 }, { "rank": 13, "country": "Malta", "slug": "malta", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡น", "value": "15%", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Residency Malta / MRP materials (age gates)", "counter": "15 yrs left", "overallRank": 7, "move": -6 }, { "rank": 14, "country": "Mexico", "slug": "mexico", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ", "value": "1.92โ€“35%", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "INM temporary resident income/savings routes", "counter": "no clock", "overallRank": 11, "move": -3 }, { "rank": 15, "country": "Indonesia (Bali)", "slug": "bali", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ", "value": "5โ€“35%", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Indonesian immigration E33F retirement notes (60+)", "counter": "no clock", "overallRank": 13, "move": -2 }, { "rank": 16, "country": "Portugal", "slug": "portugal", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น", "value": "13โ€“48%", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "AIMA / D7-style residence guidance", "counter": "no clock", "overallRank": 15, "move": -1 }, { "rank": 17, "country": "Spain", "slug": "spain", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ", "value": "19โ€“47%", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Non-lucrative / digital nomad routes", "counter": "no clock", "overallRank": 14, "move": -3 } ] }, { "id": "easiest-residency", "navLabel": "Easiest residency", "h1": "Where retirement residency actually leads somewhere", "metric": "Where residency leads", "measuredShift": "53.7%", "rows": [ { "rank": 1, "country": "Panama", "slug": "panama", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฆ", "value": "Immediate", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Panama immigration / Pensionado materials", "counter": "$2,100/mo", "overallRank": 1, "move": 0 }, { "rank": 2, "country": "Uruguay", "slug": "uruguay", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡พ", "value": "Direct โ€” <1 yr", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Migraciรณn rentista/pensionado paths", "counter": "$2,300/mo", "overallRank": 3, "move": 1 }, { "rank": 3, "country": "Philippines", "slug": "philippines", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ", "value": "Permanent", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "PRA SRRV programme pages (age/deposit tiers)", "counter": "$1,500/mo", "overallRank": 4, "move": 1 }, { "rank": 4, "country": "Costa Rica", "slug": "costa-rica", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ท", "value": "3 yrs", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "DGME pensionado/rentista routes", "counter": "$2,000/mo", "overallRank": 10, "move": 6 }, { "rank": 5, "country": "Mexico", "slug": "mexico", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ", "value": "4 yrs", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "INM temporary resident income/savings routes", "counter": "$1,700/mo", "overallRank": 11, "move": 6 }, { "rank": 6, "country": "Greece", "slug": "greece", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ท", "value": "5 yrs", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Residence permits for financially independent / DN-style paths", "counter": "$2,200/mo", "overallRank": 6, "move": 0 }, { "rank": 7, "country": "Malta", "slug": "malta", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡น", "value": "5 yrs", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Residency Malta / MRP materials (age gates)", "counter": "$2,600/mo", "overallRank": 7, "move": 0 }, { "rank": 8, "country": "Italy", "slug": "italy", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น", "value": "5 yrs", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Elective residence / passive-income practice", "counter": "$2,400/mo", "overallRank": 8, "move": 0 }, { "rank": 9, "country": "Spain", "slug": "spain", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ", "value": "5 yrs", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Non-lucrative / digital nomad routes", "counter": "$2,500/mo", "overallRank": 14, "move": 5 }, { "rank": 10, "country": "Portugal", "slug": "portugal", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น", "value": "5 yrs", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "AIMA / D7-style residence guidance", "counter": "$2,600/mo", "overallRank": 15, "move": 5 }, { "rank": 11, "country": "Indonesia (Bali)", "slug": "bali", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ", "value": "KITAP 3โ€“4 yrs", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Indonesian immigration E33F retirement notes (60+)", "counter": "$1,700/mo", "overallRank": 13, "move": 2 }, { "rank": 12, "country": "Mauritius", "slug": "mauritius", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡บ", "value": "5 yrs + $200k", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "EDB Retired Non-Citizen (50+)", "counter": "$2,000/mo", "overallRank": 12, "move": 0 }, { "rank": 13, "country": "Cyprus", "slug": "cyprus", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡พ", "value": "On grant โ€” long queue", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Civil Registry Category F / income routes", "counter": "$2,200/mo", "overallRank": 9, "move": -4 }, { "rank": 14, "country": "UAE (Dubai)", "slug": "dubai", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ช", "value": "Golden Visa", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "UAE retirement / remote / Golden visa portals", "counter": "$3,500/mo", "overallRank": 16, "move": 2 }, { "rank": 15, "country": "Thailand", "slug": "thailand", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ", "value": "Difficult", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Thai LTR / retirement O-A published criteria", "counter": "$1,800/mo", "overallRank": 2, "move": -13 }, { "rank": 16, "country": "Malaysia", "slug": "malaysia", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡พ", "value": "No PR route", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "MM2H official programme notes (tier rules change โ€” re-check)", "counter": "$1,900/mo", "overallRank": 5, "move": -11 }, { "rank": 17, "country": "Vietnam", "slug": "vietnam", "flag": "๐Ÿ‡ป๐Ÿ‡ณ", "value": "Near-unattainable", "status": "fresh", "asOf": "2026-07", "source": "Vietnam e-visa / temporary residence practice โ€” no dedicated retiree visa", "counter": "$1,400/mo", "overallRank": 17, "move": 0 } ] } ], "changelog": [ { "date": "2026-07", "country": "Greece", "slug": "greece", "field": "inc", "title": "Greece FIP visa income floor confirmed at โ‚ฌ3,500/mo", "note": "Financially Independent Person route income requirement re-verified against consulate materials; unchanged this cycle but re-dated.", "direction": "verified" }, { "date": "2026-07", "country": "Portugal", "slug": "portugal", "field": "tax", "title": "Portugal NHR replaced by IFICI (NHR 2.0)", "note": "The classic 10-year NHR flat regime is closed to new arrivals; the successor IFICI is narrower and pension-unfriendly. Treat legacy NHR figures as sunset.", "direction": "tightened" }, { "date": "2026-07", "country": "Malaysia", "slug": "malaysia", "field": "deposit", "title": "MM2H fixed-deposit tiers re-verified", "note": "The Sarawak and federal MM2H deposit tiers were re-checked; figures carry a fresh verification date.", "direction": "verified" }, { "date": "2026-06", "country": "Spain", "slug": "spain", "field": "visa", "title": "Spain Non-Lucrative Visa passive-income bar tracks IPREM", "note": "The NLV income multiple of IPREM was re-confirmed for the current year; savings-in-lieu figures updated accordingly.", "direction": "verified" } ], "dataset": { "name": "ThonRetire Retirement Destination Dataset 2026", "version": "1.3", "year": 2026, "verified": "July 2026", "factsAsOf": "2026-07", "license": { "id": "CC-BY-4.0", "name": "Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International", "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" }, "citation": "Nguyแป…n Thร nh Dรขn (2026). ThonRetire Retirement Destination Dataset 2026, v1.3. Verified July 2026. https://thonretire.com/data โ€” CC-BY-4.0", "landingPage": "https://thonretire.com/data", "files": [ { "file": "thonretire-2026-countries.csv", "url": "https://thonretire.com/data/thonretire-2026-countries.csv", "mediaType": "text/csv", "rows": 17, "describes": "One row per destination, wide. Convenience view โ€” no per-field provenance." }, { "file": "thonretire-2026-facts.csv", "url": "https://thonretire.com/data/thonretire-2026-facts.csv", "mediaType": "text/csv", "rows": 391, "describes": "One row per public fact, with its own verification date, freshness status, confidence and primary source link." }, { "file": "thonretire-2026-cities.csv", "url": "https://thonretire.com/data/thonretire-2026-cities.csv", "mediaType": "text/csv", "rows": 62, "describes": "One row per city, including the gap between city cost and the country-level headline figure." }, { "file": "thonretire-2026.json", "url": "https://thonretire.com/data/thonretire-2026.json", "mediaType": "application/json", "rows": null, "describes": "Everything above in one file, with the field dictionary and this licence embedded." } ] }, "citation": "Nguyแป…n Thร nh Dรขn (2026). ThonRetire Retirement Destination Dataset 2026, v1.3. Verified July 2026. https://thonretire.com/data โ€” CC-BY-4.0", "citationEdition": "Nguyแป…n Thร nh Dรขn (2026). ThonRetire Retirement Index 2026. Frozen 2026-08. https://thonretire.com/edition/2026 โ€” CC-BY-4.0", "license": { "id": "CC-BY-4.0", "name": "Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International", "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" }, "integrity": { "algorithm": "sha256", "value": "45f2266f7801ff60ec5760b90369d5c8010e0a2687cb6c34a34e449622f68f13" } }