Welcome to Hoxton Wealth, the new home of Hoxton Capital
Technical Guides • Retirement Destinations Attractiveness Report (for U.S. Nationals) 2026
For many affluent Americans, the decision to retire abroad begins less with a spreadsheet and more with a feeling: life should be easier, safer, and richer in the ways that matter.
They picture mornings that start with a sea breeze and end with world-class care a short drive away; a place where institutions are predictable, the airport is well connected, and the paperwork doesn’t swallow the joy.
Our report captures that instinct and translates it into evidence: destinations that pair rule-of-law stability and high-grade healthcare with visas that don’t feel like an obstacle course.
That’s why the same names keep surfacing at the top. Places where daily life is friction-light and culture-heavy.
In Europe, retirees are drawn to sun, walkable towns, and private medicine that’s both excellent and accessible; in gateway hubs like Singapore or Dubai, the appeal is precision - efficient services, secure environments, seamless travel (albeit at premium cost).
Not everyone wants prestige; some want proximity and value. That’s where Panama and Costa Rica shine - territorial tax, straightforward residency, big expat communities, and a quick hop back to the U.S. for family or board meetings.
In short, high-net-worth retirees aren’t “escaping” the U.S.; they’re curating a life. The winners offer simplicity, security, and access - so wealth does what it’s supposed to do in retirement: buy time, health, and a beautiful everyday.
Some countries offer straightforward retiree visas, while others have limited or costly options.
Some countries offer low day-to-day costs, while others are much more expensive.
Find out which countries offer flat tax rates and no inheritance tax, and which may require more careful tax planning.
Some countries have excellent public systems, some offer affordable private care, and then there are those for which private insurance is a must.
Most top picks are safe and politically stable, while others require some bureaucratic tolerance.
Are you looking for Mediterranean weather? Would you prefer tropical? Or are you after somewhere cooler and wetter?
Some countries rank very safe, while others have petty theft. And others vary by location.
English-speaking nations offer seamless integration., whereas in places like France or Italy, learning the language helps a lot.
Find out which countries allow easy foreign property ownership, while others have restrictions or extra rules.
You may want to come back and visit the U.S. often. Some countries are close with cheap flights, but some are long-haul and more expensive, making frequent visits more difficult.
This guide is for affluent U.S. retirees - typically former executives, entrepreneurs, family office principals, and high-net-worth individuals - who are not looking to retire from life, but to elevate their next chapter.
They are discerning, globally minded, and financially secure. Cost of living is not their primary constraint; quality of life, personal freedom, healthcare access, lifestyle enrichment, safety, international connectivity, and favorable residency frameworks are.
It is also valuable for:
Ultimately, this guide speaks to those who see retirement not as an endpoint, but as a strategic life redesign - a deliberate selection of where life will be lived best.
Hoxton Wealth advises internationally minded U.S. retirees on how to build a life abroad.
With over $3.8 billion in assets under advice, our financial planners focus on cross-border pension, tax, and investment strategies for retirees and globally mobile families.
We help you navigate the financial realities of emigration - from residency and tax rules to healthcare and estate planning - so you can make clear, confident decisions about your next chapter.
Sign up to access your guide.
We are available to discuss how Hoxton Wealth can help you achieve your financial goals. Together, we can help you build a brighter financial future.