Retirement Visas allow professionals, entrepreneurs, and families to relocate to a new country through dedicated immigration programmes. In 2026, 22 countries offer at least one retirement visa pathway in our database, each with different income thresholds, processing timelines, and paths to permanent residency.
This page compares every retirement visa programme we track, sorted by difficulty score (1 = easiest, 10 = hardest). Use the table below to quickly identify which countries match your budget, timeline, and long-term goals. Click any country name to see its full immigration profile.
Country Comparison Table
| # | Country | Programme | Income Req. | Processing | Difficulty | PR Path | Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portugal | D7 Visa - Passive Income / Retirement | €920/mo | 60–120 days | 3/10 | 5 yr | Yes |
| 2 | France | Visitor Visa (Financially Independent) | €17,116/mo | 60–180 days | 3/10 | 5 yr | Yes |
| 3 | Norway | Residency (Own Means) | €27,117/mo | 60–105 days | 3/10 | 7 yr | Yes |
| 4 | Spain | Non-Lucrative Residency | €28,800/mo | 120–210 days | 3/10 | 10 yr | Yes |
| 5 | Brazil | Retirement Visa (VITEM XIV) | €1,850/mo | 30–120 days | 3/10 | — | Yes |
| 6 | Turkey | Retirement Residence Permit | €553/mo | 30–90 days | 3.7/10 | 8 yr | Yes |
| 7 | Colombia | M-11 Retiree / Rentista Visa | €23,333/mo | 28–56 days | 4/10 | 5 yr | Yes |
| 8 | Bahrain | Self-Sponsorship Residence Permit - Retired Expatriate | €2,640/mo | 14–30 days | 4.5/10 | — | Yes |
| 9 | Slovenia | Retirement/Independent Means Permit | €1,600/mo | 20–30 days | 4.5/10 | 1 yr | Yes |
| 10 | Mexico | Retirement Visa (Residente Temporal Jubilado) | €1,992/mo | 28–60 days | 4.7/10 | 4 yr | Yes |
| 11 | Ireland | Independent Means / Retirement Permission (Stamp 0) | €50,000/mo | 120–210 days | 5/10 | 5 yr | Yes |
| 12 | Switzerland | Lump-Sum Residency (Forfait Fiscal) | €460,782/mo | 40–70 days | 5/10 | 10 yr | Yes |
| 13 | United Arab Emirates | Retirement Visa - Abu Dhabi | — | 60–180 days | 5/10 | No PR path | Yes |
| 14 | Austria | Residency (Self-Sufficiency) | €15,288/mo | 30–90 days | 5/10 | 5 yr | Yes |
| 15 | Vanuatu | Residence Visa - Self-Funded Resident | €2,312/mo | 20–30 days | 5.0/10 | 10 yr | Yes |
| 16 | Fiji | Residence on Assured Income | €1,167/mo | 120–180 days | 5.5/10 | 1 yr | Yes |
| 17 | Kenya | Class K Residence Permit (Ordinary Resident) | €1,833/mo | 40–60 days | 5.5/10 | 1 yr | Yes |
| 18 | Thailand | Non-Immigrant O-A (Retirement) | €1,781/mo | 30–60 days | 5.5/10 | 3 yr | No |
| 19 | Argentina | Rentista (Passive Income) Visa | €17,335/mo | 90–330 days | 6.0/10 | 2 yr | Yes |
| 20 | Philippines | Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV) | €725/mo | 60–90 days | 6/10 | — | Yes |
| 21 | Italy | Elective Residency Visa | €31,000/mo | 30–90 days | 6.7/10 | 5 yr | Yes |
| 22 | Malaysia | MM2H - My Second Home | €8,333/mo | 90–360 days | 8.2/10 | — | Yes |
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Argentina (1 programme)
- Rentista (Passive Income) Visa — Rentista visa for passive income holders. 5× minimum wage/month (~USD 1,444). Practitioners recommend ≥USD 2,000/month.
Austria (2 programmes)
- Residency (Self-Sufficiency) — Residency (Self-Sufficiency) for Austria. Stable income (pensions, rents); A1 German at renewal; annual quota
- Austria Private Residence Program (Financially Independent) — Austria Private Residence Program (Financially Independent) for Austria. Golden visa-type program for financially independent persons. German language (A1) required. Cannot work. Strict annual quota. Min 6 months/year residence.
Bahrain (3 programmes)
- Self-Sponsorship Residence Permit - Retired Expatriate (inactive) — Retirement residence permit.
- Golden Residency Visa - Retirees (Non-Resident) (inactive) — Retirement residence permit, requiring minimum income 10,566 EUR.
- Golden Residency Visa - Retirees (Resident) (inactive) — Retirement residence permit, requiring minimum income 5,283 EUR.
Brazil (1 programme)
- Retirement Visa (VITEM XIV) — Retirement visa for those with USD $2,000+/month pension. Leads to permanent residency. 2 years, renewable.
Colombia (1 programme)
- M-11 Retiree / Rentista Visa — Retiree/rentista visa requiring ~5 SMMLV/month (COP 8.75M ≈ EUR 1,944) stable pension or rental income. 3-year permit, renewable. Path to R visa after 5 years.
Fiji (2 programmes)
- Residence on Assured Income — Retirement residence permit, with path to permanent residence in 1 years.
- Residence Permit on Assured Income (Retirement Visa) (inactive) — Retirement residence permit, requiring savings 42,070 EUR.
France (1 programme)
- Visitor Visa (Financially Independent) — Visitor Visa (Financially Independent) for France. For retirees and financially independent individuals. Minimum EUR 1,800/month income (EUR 21,600/year), EUR 30,000 savings. Cannot work in France. Spouse and children can apply together. Must reside 183+ days/year for PR pathway.
Ireland (1 programme)
- Independent Means / Retirement Permission (Stamp 0) — Independent Means / Retirement Permission (Stamp 0) for Ireland. No traditional retirement visa. Approval discretionary and not automatic. Cannot work without specific permission. Must have private health insurance. Time on Stamp 0 generally does NOT count toward citizenship.
Italy (1 programme)
- Elective Residency Visa — Residency for retirees/wealthy individuals with stable passive income. €31K+/year. No work allowed.
Kenya (2 programmes)
- Class K Residence Permit (Ordinary Resident) (inactive) — Retirement residence permit, requiring minimum income 1,833 EUR, with path to permanent residence in 1 years.
- Class K — Retiree — Retiree permit. KES 100,000/month income + KES 1M savings. 1-5 years, renewable.
Malaysia (1 programme)
- MM2H - My Second Home — Long-term residence for retirees/wealthy individuals. MYR 1M fixed deposit + MYR 40K/month offshore income.
Mexico (1 programme)
- Retirement Visa (Residente Temporal Jubilado) — Retirement route via Temporary Resident visa. Same financial requirements. Popular with US/Canadian retirees.
Norway (1 programme)
- Residency (Own Means) — Residency (Own Means) for Norway. Self-sufficient; proven financial resources; PR 3yr, citizenship 7yr
Philippines (1 programme)
- Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV) — Retirement visa for 50+. Deposit $10,000 (or $20-30K depending on pension/age). Family inclusion options available.
Portugal (1 programme)
- D7 Visa - Passive Income / Retirement — Passive income visa for retirees and those with regular non-Portuguese income. Minimum €920/month. 2-year permit, renewable.
Slovenia (1 programme)
- Retirement/Independent Means Permit (inactive) — Retirement residence permit, with path to permanent residence in 1 years.
Spain (2 programmes)
- Non-Lucrative Residency — Non-Lucrative Residency for Spain. Retirees/no employment; health insurance; stable income
- Non-Lucrative Visa — Non-Lucrative Visa for Spain. Popular retirement visa. Requires €28,800/year for single applicant. No work allowed including remote. Health insurance must have no copay/deductible and be valid in Spain.
Switzerland (2 programmes)
- Lump-Sum Residency (Forfait Fiscal) — Lump-Sum Residency (Forfait Fiscal) for Switzerland. Fixed tax agreement (~CHF 250–300k/yr); no employment; PR 5-10yr
- Retirement/Financially Independent Residence — Retirement/Financially Independent Residence for Switzerland. For financially independent individuals not gainfully employed. Requires proof of sufficient income exceeding Swiss welfare thresholds. Cannot work but may receive passive income from pensions, investments, property
Thailand (1 programme)
- Non-Immigrant O-A (Retirement) — Retirement visa for ages 50+. THB 800K in Thai bank or THB 65K/month income. Annual renewal.
Turkey (1 programme)
- Retirement Residence Permit — Retirement residence via short-term permit. Must show pension or passive income. Very affordable cost of living.
United Arab Emirates (3 programmes)
- Retirement Visa - Abu Dhabi — Retirement Visa - Abu Dhabi for United Arab Emirates. 5-year Abu Dhabi retirement visa for ages 55+; AED 240,000 annual income OR AED 1M savings/property; higher income requirement than Dubai
- Retirement Visa - Dubai — Retirement Visa - Dubai for United Arab Emirates. 5-year retirement visa for ages 55+; Dubai requires AED 15,000/month income OR AED 1M savings/property; renewable if conditions maintained
- Retirement Visa (5-year) — For retirees 55+. AED 1M in real estate/savings OR AED 20,000/month income. 5-year renewable.
Vanuatu (1 programme)
- Residence Visa - Self-Funded Resident (inactive) — Retirement residence permit, requiring minimum income 2,312 EUR.
Retirement Visas by Country
Argentina: Rentista Passive Income
Bahrain: Golden Residency Visa Retirees Resident
Bahrain: Self Sponsorship Residence Permit Retired Expatriate
Bahrain: Golden Residency Visa Retirees Non Resident
Brazil: Retirement Visa
Cambodia: Retirement Visa Er
Colombia: M11 Retiree Rentista
Costa Rica: Rentista Fixed Income Visa
Costa Rica: Pensionado Visa
Costa Rica: Pensionado Retiree Visa
Costa Rica: Rentista Visa
Dominican Republic: Retirement Pensioner Residence
Ecuador: Pensioner Retirement Visa
Ecuador: Rentista Visa
Fiji: Residence Permit On Assured Income Retirement Visa
Ireland: Independent Means Retirement Permission Stamp 0
Kenya: Class K Retiree
Mexico: Retirement Visa Residente Temporal
Peru: Rentista Visa
Philippines: Special Resident Retirees Visa
Portugal: D7 Passive Income
Slovenia: Retirementindependent Means Permit
Switzerland: Retirementfinancially Independent Residence
Tanzania: Residence Permit Class C Researchers Retired Missionaries
Thailand: Non O Retirement Visa
Turkey: Retirement Residence Permit
UAE: Retirement Visa
UAE: Retirement Visa Dubai
UAE: Retirement Visa Abu Dhabi
Uruguay: Investor Rentista
Frequently Asked Questions
How many countries offer retirement visas in 2026?
As of 2026, 22 countries in our database offer at least one retirement visa pathway. Requirements, processing times, and costs vary significantly between countries.
Which country has the easiest retirement visa to obtain?
Based on our difficulty scoring, Portugal currently offers one of the most accessible retirement visa pathways, though eligibility still depends on your individual circumstances.
What are the typical requirements for retirement visas?
Common requirements include proof of income or savings, health insurance, a clean criminal record, and passport validity. Specific thresholds (income, education, experience) vary by country and programme.
Can I bring my family on a retirement visa?
Many retirement visa programmes allow family accompaniment (spouse and dependent children). Some also grant work rights to spouses. Check the family column in our comparison table above.
How long does it take to get permanent residency through a retirement visa?
The path to permanent residency ranges from 2 to 10 years depending on the country. Some retirement visa programmes offer faster PR tracks than others — see the PR Path column in our table.
Explore by Region
- Europe Immigration Guide 2026
- Asia Immigration Guide 2026
- Americas Immigration Guide 2026
- Middle East Immigration Guide 2026
- Oceania Immigration Guide 2026
- Africa Immigration Guide 2026
See also: All Pathways by Country · Compare Countries Side by Side · Immigration Glossary
Data sourced from official government immigration portals, verified March 2026. Requirements change frequently — always confirm with the relevant embassy or immigration authority before applying.