Mexico residency is easy, but income requirements have gone up considerably in recent years. I'm thankful I got mine 6+ years ago. It's great that there are still affordable options.
Thanks Bill! Guatemala is very easy. Americans get 90 days visa-free on arrival, extendable to 180. The pensionado/rentista residency is the most common path for retirees (1,250/month in income, pension, Social Security, investments) + pass a background check. Processing takes around 2-6 months (a good lawyer makes it happen on the shorter end). Taxed territorial, so only the US side to watch out for. Public healthcare is not that great, but with private insurance, you can go to Guatemala City for anything major (or fly 2h to Miami).
We’ve lived in Ecuador for going on seven years, and you definitely left it off the list. Even with time, it still has a huge number of 2-year temporary visas, leading to permanent visas after two more years, and a very reasonable income requirement which is inclusive of such a wide age range of immigrants (not just retirees). When we came, our immigration attorney said, “We want you”, and we still feel that way. Many places we’ve traveled since we moved here we live very much, but research indicates that we love those places, but they don’t love us!
Hey Marshall, absolutely right. Ecuador definitely belongs in this list. Will add it in another upcoming post. And great to hear, that you had such a welcoming experience in Ecuador!
This is federal, so it doesn't go through a state office like a regular birth certificate would. You mail it to the US Department of State's Office of Authentications. Can take longer, and also the country you need it for has to be part of the Hague apostille system.
You can hold plenty of visas, and apply for other ones. But you need to make sure to uphold the requirements each visa has, in order to maintain them. But holding one visa, doesn’t automatically rule out holding another one. It becomes more complicated when you hold more than 1 visa that requires you to become a tax resident. So the combination of visas that you hold is important (the “fit”).
I got into Spain in about 7 months. Requirements don’t seem much different than Portugal. Passive income requirements are a big hire. But I did use a company to help me with the paperwork.
Panama's Pensionado is the one I walk my clients through most often, and the discounts alone change the math on monthly living costs significantly. What I find is that most people don't realize Social Security qualifies as pension income for this visa. That one detail opens the door for so many people who thought they couldn't afford to leave. Bookmarking this, it lays out the full picture cleanly. Thank you for putting this together. 🖤
It really is one of the most underutilized pathways out there! The discounts alone - healthcare, entertainment, restaurants - makes the math work in ways people do not expect until they see it laid out!
Great notes, articles and perspective...Just found your page and it's always good to meet a fellow travel stacker. I see you specialize in more Euro and specialize in Latam...good to connect.
Highly depends on the country. Those can range from zero taxes to full taxation, depending on what it says in the tax treaty between the two countries.
Mexico residency is easy, but income requirements have gone up considerably in recent years. I'm thankful I got mine 6+ years ago. It's great that there are still affordable options.
Yep, residency requirements around the world are getting more difficult at the moment. Great job getting in so early!
And now isn’t there healthcare for all?
The new healthcare coverage in Mexico is for both citizens and residents.
Permanent residents are covered too, not just citizens. The requirement is legal residency (temporary or permanent) plus a CURP. https://migaku.com/blog/language-fun/healthcare-in-mexico-for-foreigners-imss-imss-bienestar-and-private-compared
Thank you for the correct info!
No problem ;)
There is, but I wouldn't rely solely on the Mexican public healthcare. Def add a private insurance on top.
I’m looking into Canada by descent. How does Canada stack up, especially Nova Scotia?
I wrote about Canada here: https://www.clubcitizen.co/p/how-us-citizens-can-move-to-canada?r=qtunb
Thank you.
Thanks so much for this helpful analysis, Ben. What's the situation for American expats in Guatemala?
Thanks Bill! Guatemala is very easy. Americans get 90 days visa-free on arrival, extendable to 180. The pensionado/rentista residency is the most common path for retirees (1,250/month in income, pension, Social Security, investments) + pass a background check. Processing takes around 2-6 months (a good lawyer makes it happen on the shorter end). Taxed territorial, so only the US side to watch out for. Public healthcare is not that great, but with private insurance, you can go to Guatemala City for anything major (or fly 2h to Miami).
We’ve lived in Ecuador for going on seven years, and you definitely left it off the list. Even with time, it still has a huge number of 2-year temporary visas, leading to permanent visas after two more years, and a very reasonable income requirement which is inclusive of such a wide age range of immigrants (not just retirees). When we came, our immigration attorney said, “We want you”, and we still feel that way. Many places we’ve traveled since we moved here we live very much, but research indicates that we love those places, but they don’t love us!
Hey Marshall, absolutely right. Ecuador definitely belongs in this list. Will add it in another upcoming post. And great to hear, that you had such a welcoming experience in Ecuador!
Where would i apply for an apostille on my "Report of American Born Abroad" form?
This is federal, so it doesn't go through a state office like a regular birth certificate would. You mail it to the US Department of State's Office of Authentications. Can take longer, and also the country you need it for has to be part of the Hague apostille system.
Do you mean i have to send them my original?? That makes me very nervous.
Looked at State.gov; yes they require the original...
Can you hold a different international visa while applying for Paraguay or Uruguay?
You can hold plenty of visas, and apply for other ones. But you need to make sure to uphold the requirements each visa has, in order to maintain them. But holding one visa, doesn’t automatically rule out holding another one. It becomes more complicated when you hold more than 1 visa that requires you to become a tax resident. So the combination of visas that you hold is important (the “fit”).
Thanks for keeping this information fresh and useful!
Very welcome Erin!
I am considering moving $ to Panama, then living in Argentina. Thoughts?
No issue here, Panama is a great destination for wealth. Let me know if you need a proper account setup in Panama.
I got into Spain in about 7 months. Requirements don’t seem much different than Portugal. Passive income requirements are a big hire. But I did use a company to help me with the paperwork.
Yep and Spanish taxes are steep. But great place to live!
Oh my word, I’m LOVING your guides 🙌🏻
🫶
Panama's Pensionado is the one I walk my clients through most often, and the discounts alone change the math on monthly living costs significantly. What I find is that most people don't realize Social Security qualifies as pension income for this visa. That one detail opens the door for so many people who thought they couldn't afford to leave. Bookmarking this, it lays out the full picture cleanly. Thank you for putting this together. 🖤
Very welcome Demita! And yes the Pensionado is a great visa.
It really is one of the most underutilized pathways out there! The discounts alone - healthcare, entertainment, restaurants - makes the math work in ways people do not expect until they see it laid out!
Great notes, articles and perspective...Just found your page and it's always good to meet a fellow travel stacker. I see you specialize in more Euro and specialize in Latam...good to connect.
Thanky LJ, appreciate you! And great to meet a fellow global mobility colleague as well.
Excellent post !
Thanks Terry, appreciate it!
What kind of taxes are levied on pensions?
Highly depends on the country. Those can range from zero taxes to full taxation, depending on what it says in the tax treaty between the two countries.
Thank you. Very useful.
Very welcome, I'm glad!
I am living in Germany, teaching US children. I love it here and would like to retire here. Info on this would be appreciated!
Hey Jean, gotcha! I wrote a piece on Germany in the past, you can read it here: https://www.clubcitizen.co/p/how-us-citizens-can-move-to-germany?r=qtunb