On healthcare and safety combined, Spain comes out on top of the retirement-visa countries in our data, at 95/100 for healthcare and 86/100 for safety. If cost matters as much, Portugal is the strongest all-rounder.
The ranking
| Country | Retirement route | Healthcare | Safety | Cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spain | Non-Lucrative Visa | 95/100 | 86/100 | 72/100 |
| Portugal | D7 Passive Income Visa | 88/100 | 92/100 | 78/100 |
| France | Long-Stay Visitor Visa | 90/100 | 80/100 | 45/100 |
| New Zealand | Retirement visas (investment-based) | 78/100 | 92/100 | 48/100 |
| Italy | Elective Residence Visa | 85/100 | 78/100 | 62/100 |
| Ireland | Stamp 0 | 65/100 | 88/100 | 35/100 |
| Thailand | Thailand Privilege | 75/100 | 70/100 | 80/100 |
Sorted by the average of healthcare and safety. Cost of living is scored so that higher means cheaper. The methodology behind each score is on our healthcare and safety ranking pages.
City level: Iberia up close
Country scores hide a lot. Here is how the four Iberian cities we profile compare, with a comfortable monthly budget for one person.
| City | Healthcare | Safety | Monthly budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lisbon | 80/100 | 88/100 | $1,900 to $2,900 |
| Porto | 80/100 | 90/100 | $1,500 to $2,400 |
| Madrid | 88/100 | 80/100 | $2,000 to $3,000 |
| Barcelona | 88/100 | 75/100 | $2,200 to $3,300 |
The pattern is consistent: the Spanish cities score higher on care, the Portuguese ones on safety and price. A retiree with a chronic condition and one in good health may reasonably pick different countries from the same table.
Weigh healthcare against the visa you can get
Transita ranks destinations by the routes you qualify for, then lets you compare healthcare, safety and cost side by side. Answer 8 questions and your routes, documents and dates are set up for you. Free.
Build my workspaceInsurance is part of the visa
- Spain asks for private cover of every risk the public system covers, the strictest standard of the group.
- Portugal asks D7 applicants for travel insurance covering medical expenses, urgent care and repatriation.
- New Zealand requires good health, good character and acceptable travel or health insurance on its retirement visitor visa.
- Ireland excludes Stamp 0 holders from State benefits, so private cover carries everything.
For the money side of these visas, see every country with a retirement visa and the European ranking by cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country has the best healthcare for retirees?
Among the countries with a retirement visa that we track, Spain scores highest on healthcare in our data, at 95/100.
What is the safest country to retire to?
On our safety scores, Portugal leads the retirement-visa countries at 92/100.
Where do you get good healthcare and safety at a low cost?
Portugal gives the best balance in our data: 88/100 for healthcare, 92/100 for safety and 78/100 for cost of living, where higher means cheaper.
Can retirees use the public health system abroad?
It depends on the country and your status. Every retirement visa asks for private cover at the application stage, and some never open the public system to you: Ireland's Stamp 0 excludes State benefits outright. Plan for private insurance at least for the first years.
How are these scores made?
They are Transita's editorial 0 to 100 assessments, informed by public sources such as coverage rules, Numbeo quality and access indexes, and crime statistics. The methodology for each dimension is published on our rankings pages.
Related guides
official sources: NLV · exteriores.gob.es·D7 · vistos.mne.gov.pt·VLS-TS visiteur · france-visas.gouv.fr·Residenza Elettiva · consboston.esteri.it·Privilege Entry Visa · thailandprivilege.co.th