Retirement

Living abroad during your retirement requires careful planning. Review our tips on managing your visa requirements, finances, healthcare, and obligations as a U.S. citizen. 

Laws on immigration and residency are very different from place to place:

• Review our destination information pages to learn about traveling to a destination. 
• Research immigration or retirement visas on the official government or embassy website for the country you plan to live in. It will explain if you need a visa to visit or live there.
• Review our information on dual nationality if relevant to you. 

Seek professional legal advice before settling abroad: 

• Find out if your trust, will, and powers of attorney will work in your destination. They may or may not be enforceable there.
• Check the U.S. embassy or consulate website for a list of local English-speaking lawyers. 
• Review local traffic laws. Also, review the license requirements if you want to drive.
• Find out what rights and responsibilities you will have as a foreign resident.
• Become familiar with the local laws for obtaining a work permit if you plan to work.

• Expect currency exchange rate fluctuations. 
• Consider whether you should open a local bank account. 
• Consult with your financial advisor for best guidance in the country you plan to reside. 

• Medicare is the U.S. government health plan for people aged 65 and over. Medicare does not cover health care costs abroad.
• We highly recommend that you get health insurance. It should cover private medical and dental treatment. It should also cover medical evacuation to the United States, just in case.
• Many countries have national health systems. Investigate eligibility, availability, and quality beforehand.
• The environment at your destination may affect your health. This is especially true if you are sensitive to altitude, air pollution, humidity, or other conditions. For more tips, reivew our information on Medicine and Health. 
• Review the CDC Traveler Health information.

Leaving the United States does not exempt U.S. citizens from their U.S. tax obligations:

• Consult with a tax advisor that specializes in foreign residency.
• If you retire abroad, you must also obey the tax laws of your new country. 
• For more information, check Tax information for residents and U.S. citizens living abroad. 

Review these helpful resources:  

• Federal Voting Assistance Program 
• Voting Abroad 

• Beware of romance, friendship, or financial scams. 
• Scammers work mostly via the Internet, email, and phone.  
• Review our information on Scams. 

Make sure your U.S. passport is valid in case you need to travel back to the United States quickly.  You can renew your passport at any U.S. embassy or consulate. 

• Leave emergency contact information and a copy of your passport's biographic data page with your family or trusted friends.
• Always carry emergency contact information with you. Also write it in the emergency contact section of your passport.
• Know the contact information for the  U.S. embassy or consulate of your destination. Give it to your family and friends.
• Emergencies can happen abroad. These could include unrest or natural disasters. If there is an emergency, contact your family and friends as soon as possible. This will prevent worry.

Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). This will allow you to receive important safety and security alerts from the U.S. embassy or consulate as well as information like Travel Advisory updates and upcoming town halls for U.S. citizen residents. By enrolling, it also makes it easier for the U.S. embassy or consulate to reach you or your emergency contact in an emergency.