88% of Brits Dream of Retiring Abroad: Where Are They Heading?

Wednesday, 26 Mar 2025

Spain is the most popular retirement destination for Brits, with 117 people opting for the move.
Portugal, France, and Italy also ranked highly, proving that Brits dream of a Mediterranean retirement filled with sunshine, good food, and a lower cost of living.
Older Brits are more likely to stay in the UK, with 16% of those in their 60s opting to remain compared to just 11% in their 40s.

Brits are dreaming of retirement in the sun as a new survey from luggage shipping experts Send My Bag has revealed that 88% of Brits want to retire abroad, with Spain topping the list of dream retirement destinations.

The survey, which asked over 500 UK residents aged 40 to 69 where they would like to retire, found that Europe dominates the top choices, with warm weather, healthcare, cost of living being major factors in decision-making and the fact it's not too far from the UK making it ideal for the move.

Making up nearly a quarter of all responses. With its warm climate, affordable property prices, and well-established British expat communities, Spain remains an obvious choice for those looking to enjoy their golden years in comfort.

Following Spain, Portugal (45 responses), France (41), and Italy (25) were also popular choices. Many respondents mentioned these countries' lower cost of living, excellent healthcare, and slower pace of life as appealing factors.

The UK is still a strong choice for some. While the majority of respondents dream of retiring abroad, 62 people (13%) said they would prefer to remain in the UK. Interestingly, older respondents were more likely to stay put as 16% of those in their 60s opted to remain in the UK, compared to just 11% in their 40s. This trend suggests that while the idea of retiring abroad is appealing, factors such as healthcare access, financial stability, and family ties may become more important with age. Some respondents commented that staying in the UK was the most practical option due to NHS access and familiarity with the culture and language.

Beyond Europe - other popular destinations saw the USA and Canada both received 34 responses each. North America remains a desirable option for those with family connections or a preference for an English-speaking retirement.

Further afield, Thailand and Mexico (26 responses each) proved popular, likely due to their lower cost of living and warm climates. These countries are known for offering a high standard of living at a fraction of the cost of Western Europe.

The survey also revealed a clear link between age and retirement plans.

Brits in their 40s were the most eager to retire abroad, with 88.7% choosing an overseas destination.
Those in their 50s followed closely behind, with 91% selecting a country outside the UK.
However, Brits in their 60s were more likely to stay in the UK, with 16.3% preferring not to move.

This suggests that younger generations are more open to the idea of retiring abroad, but as people approach retirement age, practical concerns may make them more likely to stay put.

Adam Ewart from Send My Bag commented:

“Our survey highlights just how strong the desire is among Brits to retire abroad, with Spain leading the way. Spain’s a standout with 117 votes as it’s loved for sun, cost and lifestyle. Nearly three times the number of votes the UK got with just 62 votes. What’s particularly interesting is the growing interest in destinations like Thailand and Mexico, which offer a lower cost of living and a different pace of life. While many dream of sunshine and adventure, it’s clear that practical considerations like healthcare and financial security play a bigger role as people get older."

He continued:

“Spain’s appeal could soon be tested. The Spanish Prime Minister has announced a potential new property tax for non-EU residents purchasing homes, possibly reaching up to 100% of the property's value. The proposal, still under discussion, aims to address housing shortages by discouraging purchases from those not intending to live there permanently. While no final decision has been made, this news has caused unease among some British retirees, with alternative destinations like Cyprus now being considered.”

Spain

117 votes - first place.
Why? Warm weather, lower costs, and expat communities.
Responses: “The beach lifestyle is something I’ve dreamed of my whole life” (age 67); “I love the warm climate” (age 55).
Popular across all ages (40s to 60s).
Theory: Many Brits already retire there, boosting its appeal.

62 votes to remain and retire in the UK.
Why? Familiarity, family, and security.
Responses: “I want to be close to my grandchildren” (age 69); “Too expensive to move now” (age 68).
Popular with: Older, 16% of 60s age group chose it.

Portugal

45 votes - third place.
Why? Low taxes, expat-friendly policies like the Golden Visa.
Responses: “The cost of living is much lower than where I currently live in Norfolk” (age 47); “Weather is perfect for the move” (age 60).
Popular with: 50s and 60s especially.

France

41 votes - fourth spot.
Why? Top healthcare, rich culture.
Responses: “My dream is to retire in a place with beautiful scenery” (age 61); “France is nice and close to the UK” (age 61).
Popular with: 50s and 60s for easy travel.

Canada & USA

34 votes each.
Why? Healthcare, safety, family ties.
Responses: “I have friends there who would make the transition easier” (age 48); “Perhaps in the future, it’s too soon” (age 48).
Popular with: Mixed ages, often for practical perks.

Australia

27 votes - sixth place.
Why? Family ties, English-speaking ease.
Responses: “Have family out there so committed to the move in the next 5 years!” (age 61); “I have close friends who have already retired there” (age 49).
Popular with: Those with Aussie links.

Thailand

26 votes - seventh place.
Why? Low costs, tropical vibes.
Responses: “I fell in love with the country after visiting many times” (age 62)
Popular with: Adventurous pension-stretchers.

Mexico

26 votes - tied with Thailand.
Why? Cheap living, sunny climes.
Responses: “The cost of living is much lower there” (age 69); “Mexico would be amazing to retire in the sun” (age 60).
Popular with: Sun-seekers on a budget.

Italy

25 votes - ninth spot.
Why? Culture, food, relaxed pace.
Responses: “I love the food, the people, and the relaxed lifestyle” (age 67); “The pace of life is much slower” (age 55).
Popular with: 50s and 60s for lifestyle.

Greece

17 votes - tenth place.
Why? Mediterranean charm, affordability.
Responses: “I’ve always dreamed of waking up to the sound of the ocean” (age 63); “I prefer a quiet, rural lifestyle” (age 51).
Popular with: Those craving peace.

New Zealand

14 votes - tied with Netherlands.
Why? English-speaking, family ties.
Responses: “New Zealand would be my dream place to retire” (age 54)
Popular with: Fewer, due to visa hurdles.

Netherlands

14 votes - tied with New Zealand.
Why? Clean living, cycling culture.
Responses: “I love their approach to cycling everywhere and cleaner streets” (age 68); “Probably Amsterdam” (age 58).
Popular with: Urban retirees.

Germany

13 votes - thirteenth spot.
Why? Healthcare, quality of life.
Responses: “Germany would be lovely to live!” (age 55); “I need excellent healthcare due to my medical condition” (age 59).
Popular with: Practical planners.

Japan

9 votes - the wildcard.
Why? High quality of life, safety.
Responses: “I’ve always loved the culture in Japan, visited many times” (age 58); “I’ve always wanted to live over there” (age 59).
Popular with: A small number of people from over 500 responses.