More and more Brits are looking beyond the UK for their retirement years, and if you're thinking about doing the same, there are a few top spots worth considering.
Here are six European countries that tick a lot of the right boxes.
1. Spain
Spain has long been the poster child for British retirees. It’s easy to get to all year round, with a ready-made expat community or off-the-beaten-track options.
The healthcare is excellent, the sun shines pretty much throughout the year and the Mediterranean diet will keep you fit and healthy.
Spain defies the ‘Little Englander’ cliches. Yes there are crowded costas, but also some of Europe’s most stylish cities which are packed with art (Picassos, Miro, Goya, to name a few) and culture, of both the high and café variety.
The rain may fall on the plain but the snow falls on the mountains and you can ski even as far south as Andalusia’s Sierra Nevada. Spain is a country where life is best lived outside, whether out for a stroll (or paseo) on a warm evening or dancing in the streets at fiesta time.
And this is a country that makes time for an afternoon nap, so what’s not to love?
House prices in Spain
You can buy a two-bedroom flat in Alicante or Valencia from around €120,000. In the Costa del Sol, expect to pay a bit more - €180,000 to €250,000, depending on proximity to the coast.
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2. Portugal
Portugal has climbed the retirement rankings in recent years, with its affordable living costs, friendly locals and gorgeous coastline.
Portugal welcomes international residents and has given easy visas and low tax schemes to encourage us.
The Algarve is a long-standing favourite for British retirees. You can barely dropkick a football in the Algarve’s Golden Triangle of upmarket resorts without it being headed back by a retired Premier League player.
But areas like the Silver Coast south of Porto and Alentejo south of Lisbon are gaining attention too - even Prince Harry and Meghan have bought property here.
The sunny and warm island of Madeira is a wonderful answer to Spain’s Tenerife and is becoming, like Lisbon and Porto, quite the digital nomad hub too.
For an active retirement, whether golfing in the Algarve, surfing Nazare’s 30-metre waves (no, no, after you) or walking Madeira’s levadas, Portugal is an affordable choice for retirement abroad.
House prices in Portugal
In the Algarve, you can find a two-bedroom apartment from around €250,000. Head inland or north and that figure can drop closer to €100,000–€130,000.
3. Italy
If you want your retirement to come with Roman ruins, medieval hill towns and excellent gelato, Italy’s calling. Life here comes with great food, warm communities and a strong sense of tradition.
The one-euro homes are real – but you’ll be spending a lot of money and emotional energy on the renovation – and why bother when Italy’s property is so inexpensive anyway?
Italy is genuinely wonderful in every corner, from Lake Como and Cinque Terre in the northwest to Puglia in the southeast, so we won’t even suggest where to retire.
For property buyers, Tuscany and Sicily are always popular, but coming up on the outside are Umbria and Abruzzo.
House prices in Italy
Property prices in Italy vary wildly. A countryside house in Le Marche or Abruzzo might cost €70,000. In Tuscany, expect closer to €200,000–€300,000 for something ready to move into.
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