Sponsored content
Retirement has rarely offered such enticing possibilities. If you’re imagining new adventures, discovering a different culture, food and friendships, and taking up hobbies you only had time to dream of before, you’re not the only one. Starting a new chapter in a beautiful new destination tempts thousands of us each year.
While moving abroad is a big decision – and not one without its complications – the benefits can be huge. But what exactly is it about moving overseas that can have such a profoundly positive impact on both your life and health? And, if you’re dreaming about retiring abroad, how can you turn it into reality?
To explore this, we’ve partnered with Your Overseas Home, experts in buying a property abroad. With two decades of experience under their belt, these award-winning independent experts make it their business to ensure everyone can buy homes safely in Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Cyprus and Greece.
They can help you find the right property, save money and support you through every step of your relocation. That includes finding the right visa if you are moving overseas – a new requirement since Brexit, but one that many Brits find surprisingly easy.
So, if you’re thinking about retiring overseas, could it be the key to a healthier, happier life? And if you’re ready to make the move, how do you go about finding the right property? Here’s everything you need to know.
The benefits of retiring abroad
Better weather
Let’s start with the most obvious perk: better weather. You may be reading this in summer when the sun is beating down, but don’t forget Britain’s cold, dark winters!
The most popular European retirement destinations are warmer and sunnier than the UK throughout the year. In Spain, Cyprus, or Greece, you can look forward to around 180 hours of sunshine even in January; in the UK, it’s only about 50. And, luckily, these are some of the easiest countries to move to.
It’s difficult to overstate the importance of sunshine for optimum health and happiness, particularly as we get older. The sun can boost mood while reducing stress and anxiety. Plus, vitamin D, which is produced when sunlight hits the skin, is essential for bone health and can help lower blood pressure, improve sleep, support weight loss, and reduce inflammation.
An outdoor lifestyle
Aside from the benefits to physical and mental health, one of the biggest perks of better weather is more time spent outdoors. Countries like Spain, Greece, Italy and Portugal are known for their natural beauty, and more light and warmer days allow you to enjoy outdoor pursuits all year, whether that’s hiking, biking, swimming or golfing.
Being active and connecting with nature can provide many benefits to your quality of life, such as improved cardiovascular health, strength, and endurance. It can also reduce the risk of chronic diseases, strengthen the immune system, and help with weight management. The mental benefits are just as powerful: being in nature can reduce stress, improve cognitive function, support sleep, boost mood, and enhance creativity.
Lower cost of living
When you’re on a fixed income like a pension, you don’t want to be worrying about money. Luckily, in the most popular European retirement destinations, life is considerably less expensive than in the UK. According to the Property Guides Cost of Living Overseas Index, Spain enjoys the lowest cost of living, followed by Italy, Portugal, and Greece – though France and Cyprus are both still cheaper than the UK.
These rankings calculate a wide variety of costs associated with moving abroad – from buying groceries and eating out to healthcare (including dentist visits), and home maintenance. The lower cost of living means your retirement savings can last longer without compromising your quality of life. And, not worrying about money means less stress, which is also great for health.
Healthy eating can be easier
It’s easy to crave comfort food when the weather is cold and damp…but bright, sunny weather may make you fancy healthy, fresh food instead. Many of the easiest places to retire, like Spain, Greece, Italy, and Portugal, embrace the Mediterranean diet, a style of eating that focuses on nutrient-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and healthy fats like olive oil.
The Mediterranean diet spread when it was found that people in these countries had lower rates of chronic disease compared to those in Northern Europe and the US. When you move to these countries, you’ll discover that some of the most popular dishes are packed with nutrients: think Greek salad, minestrone, grilled sardines, lentil soup, and gazpacho.
Start your new chapter abroad with this free retirement guide
With Your Overseas Home, you will receive honest guidance, expert advice and a helping hand every step of the way.
Download the free guide to find out how to cut everyday living costs, get tax, pension and visa checklists, and discover top tips from the expat community.
More opportunities for new experiences
Another less obvious health benefit is that retiring abroad presents opportunities for discovery. Being exposed to different cultures, experiences, and landscapes can all stimulate the brain and improve cognitive function – something that becomes even more beneficial with age.
Learning a new language is one of the most beneficial things we can do to protect our brains as we get older. The process engages several different areas of the brain, improving connectivity and helping keep the brain young. Learning a new language has even been shown to slow age-related cognitive decline and delay the risk of dementia by up to five years. Plus, it’s a major confidence booster.
Access to better healthcare
No matter how well we eat or how much exercise we do, it’s a fact that we become more prone to disease as we age. So, having access to better healthcare abroad can have a huge impact on your overall health and quality of life – and length of life, potentially – particularly if you have a pre-existing condition like diabetes or hypertension.
According to research by Your Overseas Home, top scorers in terms of healthcare are Germany, Italy and France, although Spain is also known for its excellent public healthcare system. Plus, it’s worth considering that while many European countries have decent free healthcare options, private healthcare can often be significantly more affordable than in the UK.
Access to better healthcare
Almost a quarter of people surveyed by Your Overseas Home stated that making new friends was a reason they chose to retire abroad – and meeting new people offers many life-enhancing benefits. Connecting and interacting with others can combat feelings of loneliness or isolation, increasing your sense of belonging, boosting your mood, and making you feel happier and less stressed.
When you make new friends, you’re more likely to take on new challenges, try new things, and grow and develop as a person. It can also help you broaden your horizons and gain new perspectives. While you can make plenty of new friendships, another perk of retiring overseas is having a special place to welcome old friends and family.
Start your new chapter abroad with this free retirement guide
With Your Overseas Home, you will receive honest guidance, expert advice and a helping hand every step of the way.
Download the free guide to find out how to cut everyday living costs, get tax, pension and visa checklists, and discover top tips from the expat community.
Searching for properties abroad
So, if you’re interested in retiring abroad, how do you go about finding the perfect home? With Your Overseas Home, the world is your oyster; simply head over to the site, select your desired country, and browse the extensive network of houses, villas, apartments, cottages, and plots of land.
If you’re curious about different destinations and property prices, let’s take a closer look at three retirement hotspots…
Spain
Your Overseas Home have a wide range of properties to choose from in Spain, ranging from cosy one-bedroom apartments to villas with infinity pools. Or maybe you prefer the idea of a slick apartment in a trendy Spanish city – or perhaps a rustic finca in the countryside? With prices starting from €50,000, there’s a property for every preference, dream, and budget.
Most Spanish properties for sale are purpose-built, and apartments are often in a resort, with a communal pool or a nearby beach. The Costa Blanca and the Costa del Sol are the most popular spots for retirees, but if you’d like more space, it makes sense to head inland; the Spanish countryside is home to all manner of villas, farmhouses, and cottages. And don’t forget the 10 Spanish islands!
France
If France is calling, there’s just as much choice at Your Overseas Home. Whether you’re after a chateau-style home with views of the Dordogne countryside, a cosy village home in the Loire Valley or Languedoc, or a villa with a private pool in the sunny South of France, you’ll find it here.
France has the benefit of being the most accessible country from the UK, so you can travel here more sustainably by train or ferry. With property prices starting from €55,000, there are lots of budget-friendly options – but if you have more money to play with, there are thousands of more luxurious homes available, from glitzy Parisian apartments to grand homes on the French Riviera.
Portugal
Portugal is another retirement hotspot, and its low cost of living, vibrant culture, and delicious food have lured Brits for decades. From the relaxed Algarve to the hustle and bustle of the capital, Lisbon, there’s something for everyone here, and Your Overseas Home has a varied selection of resort properties, coastal villas, modern apartments, and trendy townhouses, with prices starting from €50,000.
If you’re a keen golfer and enjoy being outdoors, the Algarve is an obvious choice; Europe’s number one golf destination is known for its sunny climate, blissful beaches, and charming villages. Prefer the countryside? Beautiful Braga, in the north, is home to hundreds of traditional farmhouses and rustic villas. Lisbon and Porto are also popular with expats – and if you like the idea of island life, Madeira beckons.
Start your new chapter abroad with this free retirement guide
With Your Overseas Home, you will receive honest guidance, expert advice and a helping hand every step of the way.
Download the free guide to find out how to cut everyday living costs, get tax, pension and visa checklists, and discover top tips from the expat community.
Final thoughts…
For an increasing number of people, retirement isn’t about slowing down or taking it easy; it’s about new adventures. When you stop living at work, you can start working at living – and retiring overseas doesn’t just mean you get to enjoy more sunshine, but you might also find a fresh lease of life.
The Your Overseas Home survey shows Brits are looking for a healthy, active retirement in sunny southern Europe. Moving to countries like Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Greece, and Cyprus can save you money while providing a higher quality of life. You can spend more time outdoors, explore new opportunities, eat good food, make new friends, and potentially have access to better healthcare, too.
Of course, retiring abroad is a big decision, and one that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Following Brexit, there are also a few extra hoops to jump through, but these aren’t too difficult. As leading experts in helping international buyers, retirees and expats relocate safely abroad, Your Overseas Home support you through every stage of your relocation, making overseas retirement safe, informed, and achievable.
You can download the Expat Guide here or head over to the Your Overseas Home website for tips, guidance, and to search for properties.
Are you thinking of retiring abroad? What are some of your top priorities for deciding where to retire? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.