WE’VE all dreamt of moving abroad and when it comes to retirement some countries are better than others to move to.
Think – sandy beaches and crystal waters just three hours from the UK, with a cheaper cost of living.
Well, it could be a reality as according to International Living’s Annual Global Retirement Index, Greece is the best place to retire to for 2026.
The index assesses the world’s top destinations for retirees across a number of categories including cost of living, healthcare, housing, visas, climate and ease of integration.
Jennifer Stevens, executive editor of International Living said: “Greece’s rise to number one marks a shift in Europe’s retirement landscape.
“For years, Portugal and Spain led the way, but recent visa changes and rising costs have retirees looking elsewhere.
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“Greece now offers what many are seeking — a beautiful, welcoming, and affordable European base with accessible residency options and a lifestyle that feels rich in every sense.”
Part of why Greece is so good to retire to is because of the Golden Visa programme, which grants a residence permit to foreigners who make a minimum investment of €250,000 (£218,548).
Greece is great if you love the sun, as the destination benefits from more than 300 days of sunshine each year.
A three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant in Greece, would set you back around €50 (£43.71).
Or if you’re grabbing a coffee, you can expect to pay around €3.43 (£3).
And of course, the country has a lot of destinations to choose from.
In fact, Greece has over 6,000 islands – of which 227 are inhabited.
Whilst some destinations such as Santorini can be expensive, there are some more affordable gems in the country.
For example, Thassos is often overlooked but the island boasts many different activities and places to explore, including the Ancient Agora – a site with old temples and remains of sanctuaries.
One woman from Cork in Ireland, who moved to Corfu in September, said: “Last summer I decided to set up my own remote social media agency and then because all my work was remote I decided, ‘well, I have the option to move anywhere and I love Corfu so let’s move over’.
“The culture around here, I’m not sure how to describe it.
“Everyone in the community here seems like they’re friends and there’s a strong community aspect.”
Regarding costs, she added: “Petrol per litre is about £1.56.
“To get a coffee it’s three or four euros so it’s nearly creeping up to the price of home.
“Fruit and vegetables that are grown locally are a lot cheaper but meat and staples like that are more expensive.
“We spend around £61 for us both on our weekly food shop.
“One of the biggest comparisons is it’s so much cheaper to live here in general on balance.”
And one woman, Renae Smith, shared on TikTok: “I paid £2,200 a month for rent in the UK – plus, Council Tax which was, I think, £240 a month.”
But now, she pays just €800 (£699.36) on rent and bills each month in Greece.
Wizz Air has also announced that from next spring it will be flying to four new destinations in Greece: Chania, Mykonos, Rhodes, Zakynthos.
Flights to Mykonos will run three times a week, and the other three Greek destinations will get flights twice a week.
The flights will start on May 13 and fares cost from £44.99 per person.
In other destination news, these European destinations are all cheaper than a UK staycation around Christmas.
Plus, these are the 39 best European city break destinations – and the number one is very cheap.
How easy is it to move abroad to the EU?
BREXIT means British citizens now have to apply for visas to move to countries within the EU. While some countries residency restrictions are easier than others, here’s what you need to do at home before moving:
- Notify HMRC about your upcoming move.
- Let your local authority know and provide a forwarding address.
- Contact your mortgage and utility providers and bank before leaving.
- If you have paid enough UK national insurance contributions, you can qualify for a state pension abroad – contact the International Pension Centre.
- You can sign up to the Royal Mail’s redirection service.
- If you have outstanding student loans, contact the Student Loans Centre.
- If you have children, give due notice to childcares and schools.