Europe dominates retiree rankings
The Global Retirement Report by Global Citizen Solutions (GCS) assessed 44 countries using 20 indicators across economy, taxation, and safety. European and American destinations dominated the top spots. Portugal claimed first place with 92.61 points, followed by Mauritius and Spain. Dr. Laura Madrid Sartoretto of GCS highlights, “Political stability, security, and healthcare are priorities for retirees – especially in Europe.” Portugal excelled thanks to its targeted D7 Visa programme, high quality of life, and attractive tax benefits, including exemptions on property taxes for direct family members.
Thailand falls short
Thailand’s 34th-place ranking shows that despite popular Non-O-A visa programmes and relatively low living costs, the country struggles to compete with leading retiree destinations. While Thailand offers extensive retirement visa options – requiring proof of funds and health insurance for extended stays – overall quality of life remains a challenge. Criticisms include bureaucratic hurdles in visa renewals, limited political stability in recent years, patchy healthcare outside tourist hubs, and no significant tax incentives for international retirees.
Why Portugal wins
Portugal’s success is multifaceted. The country actively recruits international retirees, with the D7 Visa allowing long-term residence with relatively low bureaucratic burden. The Golden Visa programme offers residency without property purchase. “Portugal understands that retirees are economically valuable residents,” notes a migration expert. The mix of safety, excellent healthcare, and tax incentives makes Portugal the top choice for retirement relocation.
Opportunities for Thailand
For Thailand, the ranking serves as a wake-up call. To compete globally for affluent retirees, the country would need to reduce bureaucracy and introduce digital visa services, create tax incentives for foreign retirees, expand English-speaking healthcare, and demonstrate political stability. The trend toward international retirement is growing, and countries like Portugal are capitalising on it. Thailand remains popular for budget-conscious retirees, but European destinations are increasingly attractive to discerning expatriates. Without action, Thailand risks losing both ranking positions and economically valuable residents.