The short answer
Among the countries we cover, the lowest retirement visa income requirements are in Croatia (about €870 a month), Costa Rica and Panama (US$1,000 a month in pension income) and Portugal's D7 (€920, about US$1,069). Greece and Mexico sit near the top. For couples, Panama's low bar comes with no legal recognition of same-sex relationships.
Most countries that welcome retirees ask for one thing above all: proof of a steady income. The figure decides where you can apply, and for LGBTQ+ couples it is only half the picture, because the same route also decides whether your marriage counts and how soon you can use the public health system. Below are the published requirements for the retirement routes in the countries Out & Found covers, lowest first. If you are looking for affordable LGBTQ-friendly retirement destinations, read the income figure together with the marriage and healthcare columns.
The cheapest retirement visas, lowest income requirement first
Published minimums for the main applicant. Dollar figures use the rate each country's guide uses: US$1 = €0.8759 (ECB July 2026 average), and €1 = US$1.1615 for Portugal (ECB, 3 September 2026). New Zealand at its guide's rate, US$1 = NZD 1.7286.
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| Country | Route | Published requirement | In US dollars | Same-sex marriage | Healthcare as a resident |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Croatia | Temporary stay (other purposes) | About €870 a month | about US$993 | Life partnership | Public, via residency |
| Costa Rica | Pensionado | US$1,000 a month, lifetime pension | US$1,000 | Legal since 2020 | Caja public system |
| Panama | Pensionado | US$1,000 a month, guaranteed lifetime pension | US$1,000 | Not recognized | Public/private mix |
| Portugal | D7 passive-income visa | €920 a month | about US$1,069 | Legal since 2010 | Public, once registered |
| Ecuador | Jubilado visa | US$1,446 a month pension (US$1,696 for a couple on one pension) | US$1,446 | Legal since 2019 | Public system |
| Colombia | Visa M Pensionado | Three monthly minimum wages: COP 5,252,715 a month for 2026 | about US$1,563 | Legal since 2016 | Private first; public after resident status |
| Brazil | VITEM XIV retirement visa | US$2,000 a month pension transfer | US$2,000 | Legal since 2013 | SUS public system |
| Spain | Non-lucrative visa | €28,800 a year, plus €7,200 per dependent | about US$2,740 | Legal since 2005 | Private first; buy-in after 1 year |
| New Zealand | Temporary Retirement Visitor Visa (age 66+) | NZ$60,000 a year, plus NZ$750,000 invested and NZ$500,000 in funds | about US$2,893 | Legal since 2013 | Private cover |
| Italy | Elective Residence Visa | About €31,000 a year (about €38,000 for a couple) | about US$2,949 | Civil unions | Public system |
| Greece | Financially Independent Person permit | €3,500 a month (€4,200 with a dependent partner) | about US$3,996 | Legal since 2024 | Public, via residency |
| Mexico | Temporary residence by economic solvency | MXN 79,771 a month; permanent residence directly at MXN 133,733 | about US$4,570 | Legal in all 32 states | IMSS, once residency is secured |
Routes that work differently
- Thailand: the Retirement (O-A) visa, from age 50, asks for THB 65,000 a month in income (about US$1,941) or a THB 800,000 deposit (about US$23,886), with annual renewal and 90-day reporting. Marriage equality arrived in January 2025, but retirees pay full fees for care.
- Malta: the Malta Retirement Programme sets no income figure. It taxes remitted pension income at a flat 15%, with a minimum tax of €7,500 a year, rising to €15,000 for new applicants from 1 January 2027.
- Uruguay: retirees can receive permanent residence directly, on sufficient regular income, with no fixed dollar figure in the rule.
- Argentina and France: Argentina's pensionado/rentista route and France's long-stay visitor visa each have their own income tests. France has no dedicated retirement visa, and its guide notes that the official portals govern the visitor route's income figure.
Countries with no retirement visa
- Canada: no retiree visa. If you have a Canadian child or grandchild, the Super Visa allows stays of up to five years at a time.
- Germany: no retiree visa; applications are assessed case by case, and every resident must hold health insurance.
- The Netherlands: no retirement visa. Retirees use the Dutch–American Friendship Treaty route with €4,500 in business capital, a case-by-case independent-means route, or partner sponsorship.
How to read these numbers
- Pension or any passive income. Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Panama want pension income. Portugal's D7 accepts pension and other passive income.
- Some figures move every year. Portugal's D7 is pegged to the minimum wage, and Colombia's resets each January.
- Age limits are rare. Thailand starts at 50 and New Zealand at 66. Portugal, Brazil and Greece set no age restriction.
- Couples cost more in some places. Spain adds €7,200 a year per dependent, Greece raises the figure to €4,200 a month, and Ecuador to US$1,696 for a couple on one pension. Costa Rica's Pensionado covers a spouse on the same application.
Bringing a same-sex spouse on a retirement visa
A spouse can usually join you only if the country recognizes your marriage. Where same-sex marriage is legal, a valid US marriage is generally recognized. Croatia records it as a life partnership and Italy as a civil union. Panama recognizes neither, so a same-sex partner cannot join as your spouse there, even though its Pensionado is among the easiest routes on this list.
Good healthcare for retirees in LGBTQ-friendly countries
- Medicare stays home. Medicare generally does not cover care outside the United States, so plan on local public coverage or private insurance.
- Public care as a resident. Portugal, Italy, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Brazil, Uruguay, Malta, Greece and Croatia open their public systems to legal residents. Spain asks retirees on the non-lucrative visa to buy in after a year, and France enrolls residents after three months.
Taxes on your pension
- Tax can tip the choice. Greece offers qualifying new residents a 7% flat tax on foreign pension income. Uruguay exempts foreign pensions for tax residents, and Costa Rica exempts foreign-source income. Portugal's NHR program is closed to new applicants. The IRS still expects a US return wherever you live.
Common questions
Which country has the lowest retirement visa income requirement?
Among the countries we cover, Croatia's temporary-stay means standard is about €870 a month (about US$993), Costa Rica and Panama ask for US$1,000 a month in pension income, and Portugal's D7 asks €920 (about US$1,069). Panama does not recognize same-sex relationships, so couples should weigh that first.
What are the best countries for LGBTQ+ retirees abroad?
We don't rank countries, because the right one depends on your income, health and plans. Among those we cover, the ones that combine a retirement route, marriage equality, public healthcare for residents and no HIV entry rule are Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Greece, Malta, Portugal and Uruguay. The Country Finder narrows it further.
Can a gay or lesbian couple retire abroad together?
Yes. Where marriage equality is law, a same-sex spouse can generally be included or apply alongside you. Croatia treats your marriage as a life partnership and Italy as a civil union. Panama recognizes neither. Check each route's family rules in the guide before you apply.
What is the Portugal D7 visa income requirement?
The D7 asks for €920 a month in pension or other passive income, about US$1,069, with no age restriction. The figure is pegged to Portugal's minimum wage, so it changes when the wage does. Portugal's family-reunification rules cover same-sex spouses and civil partners.
What is the Spain non-lucrative visa income requirement?
Spain asks for €28,800 a year for the main applicant, about US$2,740 a month, plus €7,200 a year for each dependent, indexed annually. Retirees on this visa buy in to public healthcare after a year registered on the padrón.
Does Medicare cover me if I retire abroad?
Generally, no. Medicare usually does not cover health care outside the United States. Most of the countries here open their public systems to legal residents, some after a waiting period, and Thailand and New Zealand rely on private cover.
Is there an age limit for retirement visas?
Rarely. Thailand's O-A visa starts at 50 and New Zealand's retirement visa at 66. Portugal, Brazil and Greece set no age restriction.
Sources and method
Figures come from the Out & Found Retiree Edition guides, verified as of 1 August 2026, which cite each country's immigration authority or consulate. Dollar figures use the rate each country's guide uses: US$1 = €0.8759 (ECB July 2026 average), and €1 = US$1.1615 for Portugal (ECB, 3 September 2026). Your consulate may use a different rate. Medicare guidance: Medicare.gov. Requirements change, so confirm the current figure with the consulate before you apply. How we research · Corrections