Affordable Places to Retire Abroad in 2025
- International Property Alerts
- September 17, 2025
Your insider guide from International Property Alerts: where affordability meets lifestyle.
Retiring abroad doesn’t have to mean breaking the bank. Many countries offer low living costs, affordable property, and good-quality healthcare, while still providing sunshine, culture, and community. Here are IPA’s top picks for the cheapest retirement destinations in 2025:
🇲🇽 Mexico
Why cheap? Everyday costs are far below the US or Europe — dining out, healthcare, and property are all affordable.
Where? Lake Chapala and San Miguel de Allende are expat favourites; coastal towns like Mazatlán or Riviera Nayarit offer beachfront living on a budget.
Extra perk: Straightforward Temporary and Permanent Residency visas, with financial thresholds around US$4,185/mo (Temporary) and US$6,975/mo (Permanent), depending on the consulate.
🇪🇨 Ecuador
Why cheap? One of the lowest costs of living in Latin America, with utilities, food, and housing all affordable.
Where? Cuenca is a UNESCO World Heritage city and top retiree hub; coastal areas like Salinas offer beachside bargains.
Extra perk: The Pensioner Visa is accessible (requires income equal to 3× minimum wage ≈ US$1,410/mo in 2025).
🇹🇭 Thailand
Why cheap? Rent, healthcare, and food are much cheaper than in Europe or North America.
Where? Chiang Mai (cultural hub with low costs), Hua Hin (beachside, golf, expat-friendly), Phuket (affordable luxury with global healthcare).
Extra perk: Retirement visas are available from age 50 (with proof of THB 800,000 in savings, THB 65,000 monthly income, or a mix). Health insurance is required for some categories.
🇲🇾 Malaysia
Why cheap? Low-cost food, transport, and utilities — plus high-quality, affordable healthcare.
Where? Penang (expat-friendly island with great food), Kuala Lumpur (modern city at budget prices).
Extra perk: Long-stay options via the MM2H programme exist, though requirements have tightened. The Sarawak S-MM2H route is more accessible, requiring a RM 500k fixed deposit and 30 days/year stay.
🇬🇷 Greece
Why cheap? Outside of tourist hotspots, inland towns and smaller islands are extremely affordable, especially compared to Western Europe.
Where? Crete and the Peloponnese offer authentic, affordable Mediterranean living.
Extra perk: A 7% flat tax on foreign pensions for up to 15 years makes Greece particularly attractive.
🇹🇷 Turkey
Why cheap? Mediterranean living at a fraction of Spain or Italy’s cost. Property, food, and healthcare are highly affordable.
Where? Antalya and Fethiye combine seaside beauty with growing expat communities.
Extra perk: Residency is attainable, but rules have tightened in 2024–2025 — requirements vary by district, so plan ahead. Private healthcare remains affordable and widely used.
📝 Key Takeaway
If your goal is to stretch your retirement budget, countries like Mexico, Ecuador, Thailand, Malaysia, Greece, and Turkey let you live comfortably — often luxuriously — on far less than in Western Europe or North America. The key is choosing regions with strong healthcare access, established expat networks, and affordable property.
📩 Get in Contact
Thinking about retiring abroad on a budget? Let’s make it simple.
📧 elly@internationalpropertyalerts.com
🌐 www.internationalpropertyalerts.com
📱 WhatsApp: +44 7796 174253
About International Property Alerts
International Property Alerts is a premier global platform connecting real estate investors with handpicked opportunities in emerging and lifestyle-driven markets. Through curated listings, expert guidance, and market insights, we help buyers make confident property decisions worldwide.
Media Contact:
Phone: +4420 3627 0106
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Email: office@internationalpropertyalerts.com
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- Affordable Places To Retire
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