Greece Among World’s Best Places to Retire in 2024

Greece is among the Top 10 best places in the world to retire in 2024, according to the 2024 Global Retirement Index released this week by International Living.

The report is based on hundreds of opinions and real-life experiences and awards an overall score based on performance in housing, cost of living, visa and benefits, affinity rating, climate, development, and healthcare.

According to the 2024 Global Retirement Index, the Top 10 places to retire are Costa Rica in first place followed by Portugal, Mexico, Panama, Spain, Ecuador, Greece, Malaysia, France, and Colombia

Ranking 7^th with an overall score of 77, Greece is described as a “dream vacation destination”. Greece received a score of 60 for housing, 79 for cost of living, 76 for visa and benefits, 86 for affinity rating, 70 for climate, 78 for development, and 82 for healthcare.

The report goes on to refer to the country’s history and famous sites, islands, healthy cuisine, weather, slower pace of life, easy-to-find expat communities, property prices, cost of living, and the Golden Visa program as winning points attracting over the last few years all the more retirees, digital nomads, and expats.

“It comes as no surprise that in the past few years, Greece has emerged as one of the preeminent retirement destinations for many,” it said.

Analysts go on to add that housing in Greece is estimated to be as much as 75 percent lower than US prices and the cost of living between 30 percent and 50 percent below the cost of living in the US.

“We chose Greece because it is one of the few countries with a Golden Visa option based on property rather than on making a large investment in a business. That plus the warmer winters sealed the deal,” said one woman who recently moved with her husband to Syros. “Greece came out as the winner in our search for a European retirement destination due to the climate and proximity to the sea. We just didn’t have that back in the US, and look forward to longer temperate seasons where we can enjoy more outdoor activities.”

Lastly, the report refers to Greece’s healthcare system, which “requires careful research to be sure you have the coverage and access you need” and adds that quality doctors and hospital facilities “abound”. It goes on to add that compared to US health coverage costs, out-of-pocket expenses are reasonable with a visit to a general practitioner costing $35, to a specialist $50, getting dental cleaning $40, and an eye exam $60.

Last year, according to UK insurance broker Reassured, Greece was named the most affordable country for UK nationals to retire and in 2019, Blacktower Financial Management Group ranked Greece 8^th among the Top 10 best countries in Europe to retire.

The International Living website is a resource of information to help individuals find their dream retirement overseas.