After working for many decades and accumulating some savings, it's time to rest. And you know what they say:when you're young, you have time and energy, but no money. In your forties, you have the money and the energy, but no longer the time. And when you retire, you finally have the time and the money... but no longer the energy? Nay! At least not for the nearly one million French retirees who have already chosen to use their retirement to pursue their adventurous instincts abroad. Thus, while some will be content to stay close to their roots, one in three future retirees would like to retire abroad.
A taste for adventure therefore, but also for a certain comfort of life in terms of climate or proximity to the sea — or more prosaically attracted by a low cost of living and advantageous taxation, certain countries practicing in this regard a incentive policy! - it is no longer difficult these days to keep in touch with loved ones who have remained in France, thanks to communication technologies within everyone's reach, and only jet lag can therefore come between grandparents and their grandchildren . In short, there are many reasons to move abroad come the time of retirement, and as many possible destinations. Here are ten of them and their respective advantages.
Portugal is the big winner of destinations for French retirees. It has the advantage of being geographically close to France, thus making it possible to return there regularly, especially for important events, to remain a fairly developed country with advantageous taxation, and of course to offer a Mediterranean living environment. . It's up to you to relax by tasting pasteis de nata, after a meal based on cod and good red wine. There is something to dream about yes, but you will have to learn the language to be able to integrate a minimum, and the health system leaves a little to be desired compared to France - as in many places nevertheless!
Morocco is another very popular destination, which seems obvious. Francophone due to the sad colonial history of the two countries, added to this linguistic proximity is a geographical proximity, since only the Mediterranean separates the two countries. In one shot, you are back home. Flights are more affordable, the country being as popular with tourists as it is with retirees. In addition to its sunny weather and its breathtaking landscapes and coasts, the country is distinguished by a cost of living much lower than in the countries of southern Europe, a feature reinforced by a tax extremely advantageous for retirees.
For the smallest budgets, Southeast Asia is popular. In Thailand, a couple could thus live, rental included, for less than a thousand euros per month. Of course, this means adapting to local life, and giving up on local products. While the language is difficult to learn, most locals speak English, which makes it easier. No, the real question is whether you have a strong taste for adventure. Because at the other end of the globe, the country is synonymous with a change of scenery... or remoteness. An advantage or a disadvantage, depending on who you are talking to.
Like Morocco, Senegal has adopted an incentive tax policy vis-à-vis retirees, hoping to attract thanks to its Francophonie. Sea and tropical climate give it an air of permanent vacation, and the country is rather politically stable compared to some of its neighbors. To complete the picture, the cost of living there is rather low – more in any case than in the north, in the Maghreb countries. Senegal therefore has several aces up its sleeve.
Well known as a vacation destination, the Indonesian island is also popular with retirees. Indeed, to its air of perpetual paradisiacal holidays is added a moderate cost of living:about 60% lower than in France. Here again, taxation is more advantageous. The local expatriate networks also make it possible to overcome the language barrier. On the other hand, it is not possible to buy in your own name on site. And be careful, as in Thailand, the distance can be problematic, as can the lack of infrastructure. This is the price to pay to evade taxes! A price that it would then be wise to consider recovering by investing in quality health insurance.
For those more fluent and able in English, the American state can represent an attractive option. No way to imagine enjoying a lower cost of living here - quite the contrary! — but Florida has other definite advantages, not the least of which is its sunshine. In fact, the state attracts so many retirees that certain neighborhoods are entirely dedicated to them. Nevertheless, it is well known that the immigration offices in the United States are not the most friendly. It will take a solid file – that is to say:a lot of money – to hope to get the sesame, and to remember that the concept of social security is perceived there only as a mad communist fad. A health agreement for expatriates is necessary in order not to be exposed to exorbitant hospitalization costs in the event of a health problem.
A single paragraph for the two countries, Italy and Spain, both their advantages — and their disadvantages! — are similar. Respectively on the other side of the Alps and the Pyrenees, the two regions allow their residents to travel to France as easily as if they had taken up residence in another department. The standard of living is also very close to that of France, the quality of care too - which, of course, means that you will hardly do good real estate deals there, and that the cost of living is similar. Our neighbors are no more famous than us for their linguistic skills, but learning Latin languages is doable:they have enough similarities with ours to be within the reach of any somewhat motivated retiree. These are therefore destinations suitable for people who do not want too much change of scenery, but simply a little more sunshine. And then only a matter of preference:dolce vita , prosciutto and bruschette in the Tuscan hills, or tapas in Andalusia?
A neighbor of French Reunion, Mauritius has the clear advantage that French is also spoken there, a common history requires. Here again, a change of scenery is guaranteed, with heavenly beaches as far as the eye can see. The presence of many retired expatriates allows newcomers to have no difficulty in integrating. Before taking a one-way plane ticket to the Indian Ocean, however, bear in mind that the island is not the most affordable, although it does benefit from a slightly lower cost of living than in France. You must therefore show your credentials — in other words, your bank account — to hope to obtain a residence permit.
Finally, why not consider France… outside mainland France? A change of scenery is guaranteed there, palm trees and other accras too, and if no tax advantage is to be expected, there is also no question of sacrificing the benefits offered by the metropolis, particularly in terms of social security — although hospitals are unfortunately often overwhelmed on the islands. On the other hand, the races are often expensive, everything being imported. It's no secret that overseas communities are somewhat neglected by the Republic... So, is misery really less painful in the sun? Up to you. Between Guadeloupe, Martinique, Reunion, Guyana... You are spoiled for choice to spend a sunny retirement while staying in France. Note that French Polynesia is fiscally independent, which makes it quite advantageous in this regard - but it is also the furthest territorial community from mainland France.
Please note, retirement in the sun does not mean permanent vacation. Wrongly attracted by this illusion, all the same 20% of retired expatriates end up taking a permanent return flight. It's up to you to carefully weigh the pros and cons before moving to the other side of the world - or simply to the other side of the Pyrenees.
